Sabaton, Amaranthe @ Hindley Street Music Hall, Adelaide 3/9/2025
In short, an elite performance! Sabaton led a full scale assault on Adelaide playing their first headline show here dispelling any concerns or worries there might of been hosting this show at Hindley Street Music Hall. The venue was literally heaving it was that full well in advance of openers Amaranthe taking the stage. Whilst that aspect of it was not fun trying get a decent spot to see anything the music made any sufferance worth while. This was like a metal fan’s night of nights and the proof is in the pudding with these two metal titans having such pulling power. The fans knew the magnitude of this event with Sabaton playing to crowds of fifteen to twenty thousand so to say we have seen them in the “intimate” surrounds of Hindley Street Music Hall in comparison this is a real feather in the cap for us fellow Adelaidians.
Swedish compatriots and metal powerhouse Amaranthe opened the show in a massive way. I’m confident in saying they had as many supporters in the crowd there to see just them alone. They were here almost a year ago to the day for their own tour and they have continued to grow in stature since bringing all the trimmings of a stadium show. When they were at The Gov last year that was an incredible show but stepping it up in to the Hindley Street Music Hall really did work for them. Big rock sound, big stage production and lights, it was theatrical, it had everything. Some of their rock moves might be a little cliche but you can’t fault their endeavour and intensity which they play with.
The Amaranthe back catalogue is loaded with big hits which underpins the strength of their set list and they really did revel in showcasing their wares. They did more than just warm the stage leaving it smouldering by the end of the set. Opening with Fearless their intentions were made very clear with their unique blend of metal fused with an element of pop. Elize Ryd (clean vocals) was great to watch as were the rest of the band. Swedish e-sports team anthem PvP was killer, the title track The Catalyst raised the energy levels ten fold and the anthemic Amaranthine went down a treat. the crowd were encouraged to participate in the “Amaranthe Olympics” by making as much noise as possible to see ultimately who got the “crown for “gold medal” for loudest crowd on tour. The Adelaide crowd were loud and raucous all night so no doubt they’ll get the gold no doubt.
It was definitely Sabaton’s night though assembling their battalion to lead the charge right on nine thirty. The crowd energy and enthusiasm was next level and even front man Joakim Brodén acknowledged that saying “what a fucking welcome Adelaide!” Opening with such brute force with Ghost Division and Last Stand served as a bold statement that there is plenty of fire power in there back catalogue and even more with forthcoming album Legends. Brodén was like their commander in chief decked out in his signature camo pants and armoured style vest providing a fierce and imposing presence. The next ninety minutes or so was through the lens of Sabataon was a enthralling experience hearing the songs detailing real-life wars and historic battles.
That theme ran wild through The Red Baron, Great War and Fields Of Verdun. With a long absence since the last time they played in Australia Brodén reinforced the need to “catch everyone up with the older stuff.” There was a humorous moment when Brodén brought out the pink Hello Kitty guitar wondering if it would actually play and then literally ploughing right through Resist And Bite with some snippets of Smoke on the Water, Beat It, Holy Diver and Master of Puppets. It was “disco time” with Soldier Of Heaven before offering a sneak peak off Legends with Hordes Of Kahn. There was no resistance or let up as they powered through Attack Of The Dead Men and Carolus Rex which was sung in Swedish. Brodén proclaimed that this night was revenge having been told they weren’t required a decade ago supporting Nightwish.
Christmas Truce was a great moment with everyone’s mobile phone lights creating a great aesthetic lighting up the room. Plenty of salvos fired Night Witches and Art Of War followed by the “region specific” Cliffs Of Gallipoli which had not been played in a while. At different points during the set the crowd chanted “Sabaton! Sabaton! Sabaton!” and the band revelled in it and were all smiles feeding that energy. It was clear that the band “wouldn’t be sneaking off”, you scream, we return” for an encore. Again Brodén was impressed with the big Wednesday night energy suggesting that it was late and everyone needs a rest. Swedish Pagans was huge and the audience sing-a-long was one of many highlights. Interesting to hear that Brodén said that he was “nervous playing a new city” but no doubt there’s plenty of allies here they can count on for the next metal assault finishing on To Hell And Back.
Live Review By Rob Lyon