#1 Global Power Metal Band and one of Sweden’s most successful bands SABATON (@sabatonofficial) today (November 10) release the latest single and accompanying video, “A Tiger Among Dragons,” from their 11th studio album LEGENDS that came out October 17 via Better Noise Music (marking the band’s label debut).
LEGENDS has garnered impressive debuts on various Luminate U.S. and global chart thanks to their legions of devoted fans, including #1 Metal Album (U.S.), #1 Rock Album (U.S.), #1 Current Hard Albums (U.S.), #2 iTunes Album (Global), and #10 Spotify Debut (Global).
For “A Tiger Among Dragons,” SABATON drew upon inspiration for the song based on Lü Bu, known as the “Flying General,” one of the fiercest warriors in ancient China. During the chaos of the late Han Dynasty, he rose to legendary status with unmatched strength, insane skill with his halberd Sky Piercer and his lightning-fast horse, Red Hare. His duel at Hulao Pass, where he took on the best fighters of the era, sealed his place as a true legend. He’s the kind of larger-than-life character you want to write a song about – brutal battles, epic duels, betrayal and raw power.
“Our song ‘A Tiger Among Dragons’ has a powerful, raw energy to it, but with a more melodic edge,” says frontman Joakim Brodén. “I like to think that it tells Lü Bu’s story with intensity and emotion—it’s epic, but there’s also a sense of drama and depth that really brings the legend to life!”
Bassist Pär Sundström continues, “When Joakim showed me what he, Chris and Thobbe had been working on with this track, I immediately felt that it was a song connected to Asia. The drumming reminded me of those big shows with loads of synchronized drummers. We then needed to find an Asian legend, and although there are many, we decided on China’s Lü Bu. He was the kind of warrior who felt more like a myth than a man, and when we saw how he was projected in comics, games and such, we felt that he was deserving of an anthem. We couldn’t resist turning his legend into a song, so ‘A Tiger Among Dragons’ was born!”
For the “A Tiger Among Dragons” music video, the band wanted to create something that looked seriously epic and unmistakably SABATON. They teamed up with specialized costume designers to craft ancient Chinese armor that was inspired by the lore but was also tailored to each band member so they could play their instruments in it. Shot in Belgrade, Serbia (mostly in front of a green screen with layers of CGI and special effects included afterwards), the band is seen backing up Joakim Brodén as he inspires an ancient Chinese army. To help them, they also have two sorceresses who can summon flaming guitars from thin air, and in the end, they get a fiery ally.
“We set out to make this video completely over the top,” says the band, “and honestly, we think we nailed it!”
Throughout LEGENDS, SABATON—Joakim Brodén (vocals), Pär Sundström (bass), Chris Rörland (guitar), Thobbe Englund (guitar), Hannes Van Dahl (drums)—delve into some of history’s greatest and most loved characters such as Jeanne D’arc (also known as Joan of Arc), Hannibal, Genghis Khan, Vlad the Impaler, Julius Caesar, the Knights Templar, and the legendary swordmaster Miyamoto Musashi.
It marks a bold evolution in the band’s sound and storytelling, plunging headfirst into the heart of history’s most formidable and enigmatic figures. These are not just rock songs; they are battle hymns carved from the blood and legacy of warriors, kings, strategists and revolutionaries.
As Blabbermouth.net describes the new album, “SABATON have carved their own path to glory, and while they show no interest in deviating from it, they still have enough imagination and exuberance to make each album stand apart from its counterparts. LEGENDS is the rightful heir to HEROES — another career high point — and kicks more than enough chainmail-wearing ass to sustain this band’s dominance over the traditional metal realm for a few more years at least.” Elsewhere, Screamermagazine.com noted, “As expected of SABATON, the album is a crescendo of history and heavy metal, making every song a headbanger that goes beyond the barriers of language.”
Building on the multi-Platinum-selling band’s intense blend of rock and world history for fans of all ages, LEGENDS is available worldwide HERE as a digital download, as well as in various physical formats and retailer exclusives including CD, 2 CD digibook, 2 CD earbook (both including the exclusive Storyteller Edition), 11 unique vinyl editions (including a special vinyl color and exclusive artwork with each), additional exclusive vinyl colors, and a limited box set (including another exclusive vinyl color, the 2 CD earbook, and a colored cassette as an exclusive format).
Among the 11 unique vinyl editions, each one portraying one legendary figure, LEGENDS is available as the “Lü Bu Edition” in connection with “A Tiger Among Dragons” exclusively on SABATON’s webstore HERE.
In the more than two decades since the band’s launch, SABATON has headlined major festivals, sold-out arena concerts worldwide, and gained a legion of loyal fans by carving out a reputation for being one of the hardest working bands in the business. Since their 2005 debut album, they’ve earned Gold, Platinum, and multi-Platinum certifications in territories around the world with their 10 studio albums. Eight of their albums scored Top 10 international chart status, and six claimed the Top 5. SABATON has earned eight Metal Hammer/Golden Gods Awards nominations, taking home the award for “Breakthrough Artist” in 2011 and “Best Live Band” in three different years, and a Grammis nomination (Swedish equivalent to the U.S. Grammy Award) as Best Heavy Metal band. They’ve accumulated more than three billion streams across all streaming platforms and two billion views on YouTube.
Known for their explosive stage presence and epic concert experience, SABATON is in the midst of a massive worldwide tour that kicked off October 6 in Istanbul, Turkey and continues with a 22-stop European arena leg across some of the continent’s biggest venues, launching November 14 in Cologne, Germany. The itinerary will then take them through North America for a 32-date tour set to kick off February 9, 2026 in Ft. Lauderdale, FL. The trek will hit venues across the U.S. and Canada, including major stops in Los Angeles, Chicago, and Boston before wrapping April 20 in Vancouver, BC. Tickets and VIP packages are available now at LiveNation.com and on SABATON’s official website, while VIP packages are also available HERE.
Here are SABATON’s 2025 and 2026 worldwide tour dates.
Fri 11/14 Cologne, DE Lanxess Arena
Sat 11/15 Berlin, DE Mercedes Benz Arena
Sun 11/16 Ostrava, CZ Ostravar Arena
Tue 11/18 Zurich, CH Hallenstadion
Thu 11/20 Munich, DE Olympiahalle
Fri 11/21 Vienna, AT Stadthalle
Sat 11/22 Krakow, PL Tauron Arena
Mon 11/24 Stuttgart, DE Schleyerhalle
Tue 11/25 Frankfurt, DE Festhalle
Wed 11/26 Esch Sur Alzette, LU Rockhal
Fri 11/28 Paris, FR Accor Arena
Sat 11/29 Lyon, FR LDLC Arena
Mon 12/1 Amsterdam, NL Ziggo Dome
Tue 12/2 Antwerp, BE Sportpaleis
Thu 12/4 London, UK The O2 Arena
Fri 12/5 Manchester, UK Co-op Live
Sat 12/6 Nottingham, UK Motorpoint Arena
Mon 12/8 Hannover, DE ZAG Arena
Tue 12/9 Copenhagen, DK Royal Arena
Thu 12/11 Oslo, NO Unity Arena
Fri 12/12 Gothenburg, SE Scandinavium
Sat 12/13 Stockholm, SE 3Arena
Mon 2/9 Fort Lauderdale, FL War Memorial Auditorium
Tue 2/10 Tampa, FL Yuengling Center
Fri 2/13 Houston, TX 713 Music Hall
Sat 2/14 Dallas, TX South Side Ballroom
Sun 2/15 San Antonio, TX Boeing Center at Tech Port
Wed 2/18 Phoenix, AZ Arizona Financial Theatre
Fri 2/20 Los Angeles, CA The Kia Forum
Sat 2/21 Wheatland, CA Hard Rock Live
Tue 2/24 Salt Lake City, UT The Union Event Center
Thu 2/26 Loveland, CO Blue Arena
Fri 2/27 Omaha, NE Steelhouse Omaha
