Live Review: Sabaton - Co-Op Arena, London
5th December 2025
Support: The Legendary Orchestra
Words: Oli Gonzalez
Photos: Tom Atkin
Sabaton. Unrivalled legends of the power metal genre, and one of Sweden’s finest ever metal exports! Or just a band with a silly war gimmick. Depending on who you ask. Let’s point to the band’s countless headline tours across the globe, their vast discography of studio albums, and the names of the festivals they’ve headlined. A rather enviable CV that only a select few can even dream of achieving. Let’s also point to the fact that the band’s first Manchester date was in the rather modest Manchester Academy in 2006. 19 years later, they were set to bring their ‘Legendary Tour’ to the Coop Arena on the other side of the city, capable of hosting over 10,000 people. Quite the career trajectory standing as the envy of many musicians the world over. They added “Legends” to that list of albums a few weeks prior and one have could expected their setlist to feature many of those songs on this rainy Friday night.
Whilst being used to frequenting smaller 500 cap venues to get my live music fix, the gargantuan size of the Coop was a little overwhelming at first, especially with the vast amount of traffic moving through the Etihad Campus. Though props must go Transport For Greater Manchester and also the venue’s stewarding staff for keeping things moving very efficiently and always being on hand to answer any questions. A trip to the merch stand resulted in a sole purchase of a Sabaton beer cup set and minimal damage to the ol’ bank account. Though the price of drinks would have done some damage in larger quantities (how can you justify £11.60 for a double rum and coke?!). With liquid refreshment in hand, we advanced into the arena just in time for the opening act…
“Your favourite Sabaton songs like you’ve never heard them before”
A rather succinct and appropriate way to describe The Legendary Orchestra, coming directly from lead vocalist, composer and creative genius Noa Gruman. Imagine the likes of ‘Final Solution’ and ‘Bismark’ being played not with Joakim Broden’s signature vocals, nor the blistering lead guitars of either Thobbe or Chris. Instead, imagine them being replaced with a full blown choir and the majestic combined power of brass, strings, and woodwind. What you get is something that sounded rather grandiose and every bit as fearsome as Sabaton themselves! These were my thoughts in the closing stages of the set, as truthfully, it did feel like a slow burner and took some time to become engaged. Other seemed to have that experience too; seemingly much colder in the early stages but more locked in towards the end. Whilst the song order and choices seemed random at times and more introductions to them would have been great, they completely understood the assignment to get the crowd enticed and primed for the main event
The lights went down. A voice cut through. An English speaker with a heavy French accent. All eyes darted to a tactically placed stage in the centre of the arena and we learned that this was Napolean Bonaparte! He proceeded to troll the northern crowd by declaring his admiration for London crowd the night, which was meant with a chorus of boos. Subsequent appearances from Genghis Khan and Julius Ceasar themselves were consistent with the legends theme, and demonstrate the higher production values and all round efforts to provide the most memorable show possible. 5 Templars knights appeared, though not ordinary knights. A bridge concealed in the shadows of the ceiling was lowered, providing a path to the main stage. The Templars knights revealed themselves to be the members of Sabaton which was met with thunderous cheers! The music began as the band kicked things off with ‘Templars’, before ‘The Last Stand’ and a huge sing-a-along to one of their classics. It was hard to believe that 20 minutes had already past!
With the band now out of the Templars knights attire and in their traditional camouflage trousers and Joakim in his shades and armour plated vest, the momentum continued as the band burned through more classics like ‘Bismark’ and newer hits from the “Legends” album. The simply world class production values were impossible to ignore; the stage set up, the lighting and pyro, as well as the absolutely flawless sound. Anybody still questioning Sabaton’s credentials as an arena worthy band really need to give their head an examination based on the evidence of this stunning display.
The show was all about the special moments. Given that it was December, it was only a matter of time before ‘Christmas Truce’ made it’s way into the set. The introduction of the Legendary Choir to added a bit of extra magic to the already awe-inspiring scenes of the venue being lit by camera phone lights from top to bottom, left to right! Another song that had to make it’s way into the set; arguably their magnum opus.
“THROUGH THE GATES OF HELL! AS WE MAKE OUR WAY TO HEAVEN! THROUGH THE NAZI LINES…”
Joakim’s iconic acapella opening to ‘Primo Victoria’ sent the Coop Arena into a frenzy. People bouncing up and down, singing so loud that a sore throat in the morning was guaranteed. They didn’t care though. They were all living in the moment and loving every second of it. Perhaps the highlight of many highlights in a truly memorable set.
On the balance of this night’s show, Sabaton’s status as legends in the metal genre should be undisputed and any doubt of this should be firmly erased.
Sabaton. Legends.
Photo Credit: Tom Atkin
