The Art Of War Re-Armed

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I have all of their recordings and like them. I chose this one to comment on because it is my favorite so far. They have used a classic book on the study of war and couched songs to either fit the maxim quoted or demonstrate where an army failed to use the lesson. For example, they quoted Sun Tsu maxim on "positions that must not be attacked, roads that must not be taken" etc and recorded the disaster at Gallipoli. So the whole album (mp3 in my case) is not just history it's also moral lessons. As for the music, this one has the most numerous and most memorable riffs and choruses. Panzerkampf is the .ore powerful of the bunch right from the start with "Into the Motherland, the German armies marched.". Gallipoli is another pounding, driving song. This is great metal music, and I don't think vulgarity is ever used, nor any religious bashing, I'm speaking only of this recording. I highly recommend it.

Sabaton rocks! Where else can you learn war history with a metal soundtrack?

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I need to start with the disclaimer that I've never liked heavy metal. I find it acoustically "flat" with every instrument (and voice) striving to be louder than the others, and I find the general themes of male teen angst and anger, drinking, and idealized warrior culture unimaginative.That said, I came upon The Art of War (title track) on a YouTube mix of clips from Girls und Panzer, and it paired very well. Intrigued, I clicked on more Sabaton in the Dreaded Right Column(tm), and while much of my opening disclaimer applies, their choice of warfare subjects fit the genre to a tee. I soon found myself mainlining their YouTube mix for several days straight. Then I went out and bought the album. I'm impressed with the songs, especially the lyrics, and was delighted that many cover the costs and downside of warfare rather than just aggrandizing it. I look forward to years of listening to this album and growing my collection of their work.

Classic Sabaton! Power Metal and a history lesson!

Good

Ok I don't know if this is just the re-armed version or if it's all of them. Anyway, there is a very noticeable echo that is quite apparent on Cliffs of Gallipoli. Listening closely to the other songs, this echo seems to be throughout the whole album but not noticeable enough for me to care. I first heard Cliffs of Gallipoli on youtube watching the music video and listened to it a dozen times before finally buying the album. Wow... This version of this song is crap because of the annoying echo... it's really only noticeable during the slow parts but it's annoying none the less since it's my favorite song on the album. Re-watching the music video again, there does seem to be a slight echo in that too but it seems to have been cleaned up a little and is almost non-existent during the fast parts. So I guess this echo was there from the very beginning. But come on, this is like your 4th release. Surely they could get a better quality album than this. I went back to Primo Victoria and listened to Purple Hearts just to see if they echoed in the older ones or if it was my computer or something but it's crystal clear. What the hell?Since this seems to be prevalent on all versions of Art of War, I guess there isn't much you can do (unless the original release doesn't have this problem)... and it's too good of an album to pass up IMO. So yes, I would recommend it over all and I only really noticed the echo on that one song. A bummer but, hey... The music on this album is great. I love this band and if you love any of their other stuff, I'd definitely check it out. Just wish it was recorded better or whatever.

So this this the 3rd Sabaton Album I have brought, and the first since seeing them live in October. And it is probably my favourite one of the 3 I own [Carlous Rex, Primo Victoria and now The Art of War]It is a concept album in so far as all the songs are related to chapters or quotes from Sun Tzu's "The Art of War". Each song deals with battles were Sun Tzu's tactics were either sucessfully applied, or the failings of battles where his warnings were not adhered to.The album starts with a spoken word introduction "Sun Tzu Says" before launching into the pounding assult of "Ghost Division." If there was an aural equivilant to being bombarded by tank fire, this song would be it with one of the most pounding drum lines I've ever heard in power metal. It's fast and furious with one of the best sing along choruses I've ever heard. The next song is the albums title track "The Art of War" a more mid-paced, keyboard driven affair with its shout along "That's the Art of War!".The next song on the album is probably my favourite song; the mighty 40:1. Another fast paced song, it is designed to make you roar along like a loon, and with lyrics like "Spirit of Spartans! Death and Glory!" its one of the most defiant songs I've ever heard. But defiant in a mature and rousing way, and not teenage angst."Unbreakable" is next, a fairly slow somber song, with some haunting keyboards that give it the sinister overtone apt for a song about Ambush tactics. There is another spoken interlude "The Nature of Warfare" before the albums first big ballards "Cliffs of Gillipoli" laments the failings of this historic world war one battle."Talvisota" is next, a mid paced stomper about the Finnish army destroying Stalins forces when he tried invade. "Panzerkampf" is a brilliant song, again a rousing sing along chorus, singing the glories of the Soviet Union in 1943 who turned back Hitlers forces, destroying a large chunk of his army, and effectively begining the defeat for Reich."Union [Slopes of St Benedict]" is another stormer, and probably my second favourite song on this album. The call to arms for nations fighting together is an incrediibly rousing one, and also highlights the strengths of joining as one, as opposed to trying to face adversitary alone."Price of a Mile" is the second big ballard on this album, and tells the harrowing tale of the trenches in the fields of Pachendale. The drums are set to a marching pace, giving you the impression of thousands of soilders marching on. It's a tastefully done song about the horrors of that war, and acknowledges the price these men paid in a way thats respectful to their memories and an acknowledgement of their sacrifice and bravery."Firestorm" is next, a mid-pace song about the horrors of bombing towns and cities, again overlaced with some atmospheric keyboards."A Secret" is a spoken word outro, and rounds off the orginal album, however I brought the Re-Armed edition with 4 bonus tracks: Swedish Pagans [a rousing number about the Vikings], Glorious Land [A mid-paced rager about defending your land no matter the cost] along with a demo version of "The Art of War" and a live version of the Swedish National Anthem.Sabaton are quickly gaining a reputation as a band for their brilliant albums and live shows. Their albums are far and away some of the best power metal albums I've ever heard, and I think this fact is showing with an audience that is begining to branch out from the power metal fans and into fans of other genres as well. I think this is ultimately down to the fact that Sabaton write great songs. Also, having seen them live, I can safely they are one of the best acts live I've ever seen. Their tragectory seems ever upwards at the moment, and prehaps that fact alone shows that they are a band that have fought the battles to become one of the biggest and best and are emerging victorius.Even if you are not a power metal fan [and I am certainly not] I would recommened Sabaton, and definately this album. And if you get the chance, go and see them live, their amazing.

Love the product, my fiancé and I love Sabaton we listen to it very often and we just recently bought a cd player for all our favourite songs and albums. Definitely would recommend this product!

Album itself is amazing, by far my favourite Sabaton record. The only problem I had was the CD case arriving damaged, and as a result the disc no longer plays properly.

Not a lot to say about this album, but if you like Sabaton's other albums, power metal, standard heavy metal or history, give this album a try, as it is probably their best in my opinion. Almost all of the tracks have become fan favourites from this album, from the headline-concert opener 'Ghost Division' to the sorrowful 'Price of a Mile' near the end of the album, and every single one is excellent, as well as the bonus tracks (Swedish Pagans being one of my all time Sabaton favourites). 5/5, best tracks '40:1' and 'Union (Slopes of St. Benedict).'

Great album from the fantastic rock Group Sabaton