Few bands make military history quite as metal as Sabaton. Known for turning real-life battles and historical figures into soaring power metal anthems, the Swedish heavyweights brought their history-inspired arsenal to Calgary’s Grey Eagle Event Centre on October 5. With the old-school theatrics of Wings of Steel and the modern rock energy of Pop Evil warming up the crowd, the stage was set for a night of thunderous riffs, larger-than-life spectacle, and a whole lot of audience participation.
THE OPENER: Wings of Steel
Wings of Steel kicked off the evening with a healthy dose of classic metal showmanship, channelling the spirit and energy of ’90s hair metal and power metal. Their performance leaned into the genre’s theatrical roots, complete with showy stage moves and an unapologetically larger-than-life presence. It was a fun, high-energy opening that brought a distinctly old-school flavour to the night’s lineup.
THE SECOND ACT: Pop Evil
Pop Evil followed with a more contemporary edge, bringing modern hard rock energy and plenty of movement to the stage. The band kept things lively, making full use of the space and delivering a performance that felt built to get the crowd moving. Their more modern approach provided a strong contrast to Wings of Steel’s retro-inspired theatrics, keeping the momentum building as the venue filled with anticipation for Sabaton.
THE MAIN ACT: Sabaton
contrast to Wings of Steel’s retro-inspired theatrics, keeping the momentum building as the venue filled with anticipation for Sabaton.
By the time Sabaton took the stage, Grey Eagle Event Centre was buzzing, and the band delivered a performance that balanced tightly orchestrated theatrics with genuine, infectious stage energy. The tank-shaped drum riser was an appropriately imposing centrepiece, while the three women of Hellscore Choir, elevated on a platform behind the band, added a powerful vocal dimension and proved to be one of the night’s highlights. The spectacle also made room for a more personal moment: frontman Joakim Brodén celebrated his birthday with the crowd singing “Happy Birthday,” and later shared cake with concertgoers at the front of the stage. Although there were no pyrotechnics at this stop, unlike the band’s Edmonton performance, Sabaton had more than enough firepower to keep the audience captivated. Their combination of historical storytelling, commanding musicianship, and theatrical flair made for a fantastic set.
Sabaton’s October 5 performance was a memorable night of heavy metal spectacle, supported by two opening acts that brought distinctly different flavours to the lineup. Wings of Steel embraced the showmanship of classic metal, Pop Evil supplied modern rock energy, and Sabaton delivered the grand, history-driven power metal experience fans came for. The absence of pyrotechnics did little to diminish the excitement, with Hellscore’s soaring vocals, the imposing stage setup, and Brodén’s birthday celebration adding their own memorable touches. In the end, the combination of a commanding headliner and a wildly enthusiastic Calgary crowd made this a battle well worth showing up for.
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