Oh look, it’s SABATON again — those Swedish guys who think the world needs more songs about historical warfare. This time, they’ve teamed up with *World Of Warships* to drop a single so epic it probably sank several enemy fleets while recording. Titled “Yamato,” this track is basically a history lesson with way more shredding than your high school teacher could ever manage. And if you thought their “Bismarck” collab was just a one-time flex, think again — they’re back, baby, with more nautical destruction.
Let’s break it down: SABATON, fresh off their first-ever Top 10 Billboard hit (congrats on not being underground anymore, guys), have unleashed “Yamato” as if the world was desperately waiting for a power ballad about a Japanese battleship. Spoiler alert: it was. The song is out now, and you can also summon SABATON-branded Yamato ships in-game, complete with Joakim Brodén shouting commands at you like a Viking captain. Why just listen to metal when you can steer a battleship to the beat of “Bismarck” or “Yamato”? Now that’s what I call multitasking.
History nerds, rejoice! The real Yamato was a beast of a battleship, secretly built in 1941, designed to dominate the seas like a boss. In 1945, it went on a glorious suicide mission to defend Okinawa — because nothing says “epic” like sailing into certain doom with style. Despite being bombarded by planes and outnumbered by fleets, the Yamato crew fought until a massive explosion sent them to Davy Jones’ Locker in a blaze of glory. Honestly, if this isn’t metal AF, I don’t know what is.
The music video? Oh, it’s a masterpiece of suffering and dedication. SABATON filmed it in Belgrade last October, and by “filmed,” I mean they basically reenacted the Yamato’s final moments — drowning, freezing, and pretending to be sinking while playing their instruments. Yep, the guys faced brutal cold, icy water blasts, and even wore weights under their clothes to *really* feel the sinking sensation. And don’t worry, professional divers were on standby because, you know, safety first — unless you’re the Yamato, then it’s all or nothing.
Joakim Brodén had this to say: “Battleships are interesting, and naval stories are kind of our thing.” Wow, groundbreaking insight there, Joakim. Meanwhile, Pär Sundström added that “Bismarck” felt incomplete and that fans have been begging for a Yamato song forever. So, naturally, they delivered — with a totally different sound, because why not keep everyone on their toes? The band also praised their ongoing partnership with World Of Warships, calling it a “natural continuation.” Sure, because nothing screams “natural” like combining metal with naval warfare simulators.
For those counting, “Bismarck” has racked up over 116 million Spotify streams and 107 million YouTube views. That’s right — people really love listening to songs about sinking ships. Revolver magazine even called it a “match made in heaven,” probably because both SABATON and Wargaming are equally obsessed with historical accuracy and artillery nerdom. Who knew?
In their 20+ years of existence, SABATON has become the go-to band for anyone who wants to headbang while learning about military history. They’ve headlined festivals, sold out arenas, and earned more gold and platinum certifications than you can shake a battle-axe at. Oh, and they’ve been nominated for a bunch of awards, including “Best Live Band” three times. Because if there’s one thing better than listening to SABATON, it’s seeing them live — preferably on a sinking ship.
As for World Of Warships, it’s a free online game where you can command historical vessels and engage in epic naval battles. It’s basically a digital museum for ship nerds, with new content added regularly to keep things fresh. So whether you’re a history buff, a metalhead, or just someone who likes watching things explode, this collab has something for everyone.
So there you have it — SABATON’s “Yamato” is here, and it’s as epic, icy, and historically accurate as you’d expect. Now if you’ll excuse me, I’m off to commandeer a battleship and blast some power chords while sinking into the abyss. Because why not?
Chord F. Discord, the Beethoven of Buffoonery, is a self-taught expert in music who once claimed he could “play the kazoo in four languages.”
Born in Crescendo, Indiana, Chord’s first brush with fame came when he accidentally entered a yodeling contest thinking it was a pie-eating competition—and won both categories.
Chord F. Discord: proving that laughter, much like a poorly tuned ukulele, is truly universal.
