The conclusion of our review of "The Great War", peace is a fragile balance, seems prophetic in a current situation that plunges us into great uncertainty. Fine observer of war, Sabaton knows how to show the absurdity and the cruelty of this one by gaining in maturity from disc to disc. "The War To End All Wars" focuses again on the first world war, a frightening conflict full of stories that Sabaton wants to share with the greatest number of people.
The album starts in Sarajevo with the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria and ends with the Treaty of Versailles. 'Sarajevo' and 'Versailles' alternate spoken parts recalling the historical context, epic choruses and melodic and aerial riffs and soli. Between the two, Sabaton proposes slices of life. He puts forward little known people like Adrian Carton de Wiart, King Albert II of Belgium or Milunka Savic who marked this war. He evokes the German special forces, an American regiment and forgotten but significant battles such as Doiran in 1917.
In doing so, Sabaton makes his record exciting and makes us forget a redundant musical side. Many tracks are classic, reviving the epic and warlike side, catchy refrains carried by a Joacim who lives his texts with fervor and these spoken passages which make his strength. Even if he does the job thanks to his lyrics and heavy riffs and solos, Sabaton is still here in auto pilot mode.
Fortunately, in three tracks, the band raises the level. 'The Unkillable Soldier' and 'Soldier Of Heaven' stand out from the rest with a more composed side and high quality unifying choruses. They also have epic choruses and a breath that makes you want to raise your fist. 'Christmas Teuce' is the highlight of the record. Sabaton returns to the Christmas truce of 1914 with a poignant melodic and melancholic side. The keyboard gives the chill as well as a huge chorus, a real call to peace and brotherhood. Carried by the choirs and its epic and symphonic character, the title plunges us into the hell of the trenches. The listener feels the force of the moment with intensity in a short parenthesis where the weapons have fallen silent.
In spite of a redundant side, "The War To End All Wars" is a success for Sabaton thanks to strong titles and texts being as much. The band also reminds us that it is never vain to look at history as humanity seems condemned to repeat the same mistakes forever.