Fresh from announcing a massive 2025 world tour — which includes a 31-date North American leg scheduled for early 2026 — Swedish metal giants SABATON have unveiled their eleventh studio album, Legends, via Better Noise Music, marking their debut release with the label. The record features their latest single and accompanying video, “I, Emperor”, inspired by the complex and controversial figure of Napoleon Bonaparte.
Across the album, SABATON — Joakim Brodén (vocals), Pär Sundström (bass), Chris Rörland (guitar), Thobbe Englund (guitar), and Hannes Van Dahl (drums) — explore the lives of some of history’s most iconic and fascinating figures, including Jeanne d’Arc (Joan of Arc), Hannibal, Genghis Khan, Vlad the Impaler, Julius Caesar, the Knights Templar, and the legendary Japanese swordmaster Miyamoto Musashi.
SABATON’s eleventh studio album represents a daring step forward in both sound and storytelling, diving deep into the lives of history’s most powerful and mysterious figures. These aren’t merely rock songs — they’re anthems forged from the blood, legacy, and spirit of warriors, kings, strategists, and revolutionaries.
For the album’s sixth single, “I, Emperor,” SABATON turn their focus to the fascinating and controversial figure of Napoleon Bonaparte — a man who rose to prominence during the French Revolution and became a national hero following his victorious Italian campaign. He seized power as First Consul before ultimately crowning himself Emperor of France. Renowned for his brilliant military strategies, Napoleon triumphed over major European powers in battles such as Austerlitz and Rivoli. Beyond the battlefield, he reshaped legal systems through the Napoleonic Code. Yet, his boundless ambition proved his undoing after the disastrous Russian campaign and his final defeat at Waterloo, which led to his exile.
“Epic battles, bold moves and a rise from nothing to emperor,” explains frontman Joakim Brodén. “Napoleon is straight-up legendary and his story is basically built for a SABATON song. Plus, this one was greatly — and I mean greatly — requested by fans. So here it is… you asked, we delivered!”
Continues bassist Pär Sundström: “I was excited about ‘I, Emperor’, because I’ve seen countless requests for us to write a song about Napoleon, which is usually a sign that fans will get excited about a song. This one’s got that anthem energy, and we’ve got a feeling it’s gonna be a fan favorite.” He adds: “It’s punchy, powerful and seriously catchy, that’s something we all felt when Joakim was singing along to the music during the filming of the video for the song. I can’t wait to hear what everyone thinks. I’m curious to see if fans think this one should make it into the setlist for future shows!”.
The accompanying music video pays homage to one of Pär Sundström’s favorite childhood pastimes — board games. The idea was to recreate a historical board game version of the Battle of Waterloo, with a unique twist: the band members themselves unknowingly determine the outcome of the clash. In the video, Joakim Brodén commands the French forces, while Pär Sundström and Chris Rörland take on the roles of the British, and Hannes Van Dahl together with Thobbe Englund represent the Prussian army.
The video was designed as a showdown between Joakim and the rest of the band, since he had studied a book outlining how Napoleon could have won the Battle of Waterloo. Armed with that knowledge, Joakim outsmarts his bandmates entirely — and triumphs. But his victory goes beyond the board game; it changes history itself. As the players leave the gaming room, they realize the British pub where they began has turned into a French café. The band suddenly finds themselves in an alternate reality — one where France emerged victorious at Waterloo.
For the filming of the “I, Emperor” music video, Joakim arrived with a stack of books — each tied to topics featured on the Sabaton History Channel (which boasts over 364,000 subscribers) and to past songs the band has written. Meanwhile, Pär brought along part of his board game collection to help create the right atmosphere. The band even visited a local second-hand market to hunt for extra props and decorations to bring the set to life. The result was a perfect blend of research, nerdy enthusiasm, and creative treasure hunting.
‘Legends” marks the first time in SABATON’s history that all band members have joined forces in the songwriting process. This is SABATON like you’ve never heard them before — fierce, dynamic, and limitless. Legends takes listeners on a worldwide journey through the chronicles of warfare, leadership, and indomitable spirit.
