Sabaton Joins Forces with Epica to Launch Metal Assault on The Fillmore Silver Spring

Pop Break Live: Sabaton with Epica – ‘The Tour To End All Tours’ at The Fillmore Silver Spring in Silver Spring, Maryland – Thursday 6 October

On Thursday October 6, a metal concert of truly legendary proportions rocked the walls of The Fillmore Silver Spring. It was a double headliner featuring two incredibly talented bands—Epica and Sabaton.

It was a sold out show, but even before the concert began, you could tell it wasn’t going to be like any other night of live music. Doors open at 7pm, and Epica would take to the stage at 8pm. However, even after the doors opened, the line of attendees went past The Fillmore Silver Spring, wrapped around the building, and continued down for more than a city block.

Even after Epica took to the stage, more people were still entering the venue in droves, the line continuing well past the entrance. The venue, which spans two floors, was packed; not just on the first floor and second floor, but in the lobby as well—fans peering through the doors to watch the concert.

Epica

I had the chance to see Epica, previously, at Baltimore Soundstage, so I was thrilled that they’d be playing in my area. Epica puts out some incredibly creative and solid tracks, which is no surprise. Honestly speaking, every single member shows an uncanny mastery of their instrument and yet Epica continues to impress. Epica consistently puts out some of the most beautifully crafted tracks, but to hear them live? It’s a whole experience unto itself.

After opening with the whimsical and fantasy-fueled instrumental track of “Alpha – Anteludium,” they led into the rocking “Abyss of Time – Countdown to Singularity”—both tracks off of their 2021 album “Omega.” They started the night strong, and the set list for the night was truly impressive. While they played “The Code of Life” and “Freedom – The Wolves Within” from the same album, Epica performed some familiar, fan favorite tracks from their impressive catalog. New and longtime fans cheered when they played “Cry for the Moon”—off their 2003 album “The Phantom Agony.” What was truly impressive was how, after putting out a truly awe-inspiring display of musicality mastery, Epica closed the night out with “Consign to Oblivion”—a song spanning close to 10 minutes—with the same relentless passion and energy they’ve showed the entire concert. Epica is the dedicated crafter, tirelessly working the forge of metal to give shape to greatness.

One thing I truly respect about Epica is their dedication and their sincerity. Epica puts a lot of effort into their songs, infusing each track with some fantastic musical storytelling and tonal elements. Yet they don’t limit that dedication to their music. They bring that same dedication and drive to their live performances as well. They sincerely love what they do, and it shows in not only their concert, but in how they’re consistently able to craft high quality songs. Speaking of which, be sure to check out their latest single “The Final Lullaby (feat. Shining).” It is epic on a whole new level of musicality—whether it’s from the fairy tale influenced lyrics, the exquisitely layered and delivered vocals, or the driving, rallying rock of the instrumentals. Overall, it’s a fantastic showcase of the many musical elements that Epica has honed through the years. Also, The Shining performs a rocking saxophone solo mid-song!

Check out the full set list from their show:

Alpha – Anteludium
Abyss of Time – Countdown to Singularity
The Essence of Silence
Victims of Contingency
Unchain Utopia
Cry for the Moon
Freedom – The Wolves Within
Code of Life
Beyond the Matrix
Consign to Oblivion

Epica

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Sabaton

Sabaton took stage design to a whole new level. The front of the stage was lined with two layers of razor wire, the mic stands had green army helmets hanging from them, sandbags were layered in the back, creating a trench, and in the center of it all was. . . a tank.

Let me repeat: SABATON BROUGHT A TANK!!!

A tank, outfitted with a large gatling gun on either side of it, faced the audience. The moment the stage was revealed, and the lights illuminated the entire set, the audience lost their minds, letting loose a roar and chants of “SABATON! SABTATON! SABATON!”

Some concerts begin with a spark or a slow boil, building the audience’s energy up. Not Sabaton. Their concert started with the explosive energy of a tank-powered assault, hitting with the double-whammy of “Ghost Division” and “Stormtroopers”—both high-energy, rousing, rallying songs. However, it was when Joakim Brodén, Sabaton’s vocalist, asked the audience to take their energy “higher” and the beginning chords of “The Red Baron” started that the full-scale metal fury of Sabaton’s musical assault was unleashed upon the masses in the audience who responded with pumping fists, cheers, and seemingly endless waves of crowd surfers. It was truly metal mayhem in all its glory. Which is no surprise, “The Red Baron,” “Stormtroopers,” and “The Attack of the Dead Men” are off their latest EP, “Weapons of the Modern Age”—a six-shot revolver of hard-hitting hits. To make a night even more epic, they played a cover of “Highway to Hell” by AC/DC—a personal favorite of mine. Sabaton closed out the night with “To Hell and Back”—off their 2014 album “Heroes.” Rather than slow the night down, they rallied the audience and launched one final metal assault.

This was my first time seeing Sabaton live, and they’re easily a band I’d see again, and again. While their stage design and costumes successfully set the tone for their music—which is both expertly composed and lyrically engaging–it’s their charisma and how easily they connect with the audience that impressed me the most. Sabaton is a band that not only puts on a phenomenal performance but ensures that everyone there feels as though they’re a part of it. Overall, it was a fantastic concert.

Sabaton is currently on tour as part of their Tour to End All Tours, which continues until 23 October. The sheer energy they bring is insane, and if you’ve never seen a metal band live, I highly recommend you start with Sabaton and Epica. It will truly be a night to remember.

Check out Sabaton’s epic set list: