exclusive interview with sabaton

Wars and Tours: “ It's really something you can’t take for granted obviously, so we are super excited to be back here and we are having a great time.”

Sabaton drummer Hannes Van Dahl talks about their new album ‘The War To End All Wars’, animated film, and North American Tour ‘The Tour To End All Tours’

Written by Hannah Boyle

In the aftermath of the release of their new album The War To End All Wars and the release of the history edition of the same album, Swedish metal band Sabaton is on the road again with their North American 2022 tour. With their passion for historically accurate depictions of war, Sabaton thematically recounts the horrors of World War One. This album has become the basis for an upcoming animated film similarly titled The War To End All Wars set to be released in 2023. Drummer Hannes Van Dahl has taken a moment to sit down with Priestly Magazine and answer some questions on their new album and movie, living on the road as a husband and father, and the message the band wants to send to their audience. 

Did you always want to be a drummer? 

“No actually, I wanted to be a trombone player at first and I thought it was horrible so I quit playing the trombone, and I started playing bass, and I realized that was also horrible and then I turned to drums.” 

You joined sabaton at the age of 23 when Sabaton had already been formed for about 14 years. Was it at all intimidating joining a band already so established and well-known? 

“No, not really actually. I had already known the guys because we had been touring together when I worked with a band called Evergreen. So I knew them and saw how they worked back on that tour in 2011. I was quite impressed with how they did things and I wouldn’t say it was scary in any sense, more very exciting”

What is your favorite song on the album?

“That changes week from week from the release of the album but I would say Hell Fighter is the song that I really enjoyed how that song came out on the album, and I think the story behind it fascinated me a lot.” 

What inspired Sabaton to make an album on world war one and how does this album differ from previous ones? 

“A lot I would say. The great war, which is also a conceptual album about world war I, and we went from there into the war to end all wars because there were so many stories that we felt that we still wanted to do that we found very interesting that we just couldn't fit on the other album so the natural step was to create another, a big brother if you will.”

You have stated that when you look back on any album there are things that you would have done differently. What would you have done differently with The War To End All Wars?

“The new one? Nothing actually.”

Thats awesome 

“No, I am super happy with the results of both songwriting and mix master ... I really think that this album represents the band well in 2022. I wouldn’t change anything”

I love that. That’s great. I am really glad to hear an artist so proud of their work. 

“For sure, but you got to be.” 

What is the songwriting process for Sabaton? Music or lyrics first” 

“Music first.”

Sabaton takes great strength to remain neutral when retelling these stories. What steps do you take in order to remain neutral and avoid taking a side?

“The general rule is that it needs to be history, right? So it needs to have happened and needs to have ended, and then usually the historians get their say in it first, and then we can touch it. That would be the first step and then a shit ton of research actually, to be honest - reading books, watching documentaries, talking to people that were there, etc.” 

Is there any way that your personal biases infiltrate your songs and do you get affected by the content often?

“That's the tricky balance we have to make sure that it doesn’t happen but still you get it you get affected by a story and usually it’s pretty heavy stuff but you gotta always come back to that it is history and this is the way it happened 

In prior concerts, Sabaton has had a tank on stage with them. What is the story behind that? 

“The tank was just getting built when I joined the band actually. I remember being asked how much space I would need for my drums and I remember writing back ‘ ish 3 meters from 2 and a half’ and he wrote’ back I can’t work with ish’. I asked why not and he sent me the blueprints.”

Your latest album is being used to create a new animated movie to tell the story of world war one - what is your goal in creating the movie and what inspired you to create this movie?

“Well, hopefully (the animated movie) is a new way to experience the album and to justify the stories that are on the album even more … but that's the ultimate goal to enhance the experience and to try something new that we've never done before. To touch new grounds, which is always exciting. We always try to look for ways to improve things and make things better.”  

I have noticed that a lot of your songs follow the theme of  wars, why is that? 

“Well I think from the beginning in the early stage of this band it comes from a genuine interest in history and all that comes with that, you know? I know that the guys when they started they wanted to sing about something that really matters.”

How do you expect your music to resonate with your listener? Do you expect them to connect emotionally to the song in the same way that you do?

“We can only write and record the music that we really enjoy and I think you gotta stay true to that. You know this is what happens when we record and write and it turns out this way and make sure we enjoy it first and foremost otherwise I  don’t think anybody else would'' 

What is it like touring in Sabaton and what is it like traveling in such close quarters with your band for such long periods of time while touring? 

“It’s practically being married to four other dudes, and I am happy it's these guys because I like them all and we have a good time together. And you know you, uh, know how people work and when somebody needs their space and vice versa” 

How does your family feel having you away for so long? 

“It is what it is. My wife is also a musician, so she knows how it is we knew what we were getting ourselves into for sure. One thing that people tend to forget is that when we are home, we are home. I don't go away to a job I am away from 8-5. When I am home, I am home.” 

You are married to Floor Jansen of Nightwish, how does your touring schedule work with hers? 

“The one who puts it first in the calendar wins - it’s all planning, that's it - planning, thinking and problem-solving.”

How has touring changed for you now that you are a father? 

“I think everything changes when you become a parent. I mean, I tend to appreciate things so much more. I  appreciate touring more than I did before, and I appreciate coming home more than I did before. But it is tough to be away, no doubt about it.” 

Does your daughter ever accompany you on tours? 

“Yeah, absolutely every once in a while.”

What has been your favorite city you have been to while touring? 

“I don’t have a specific city. There have been so many great ones on this tour actually, so I couldn't pick one if I tried.” 

Do you have any particularly crazy stories from touring that you want to share with your fans? 

“There has been a lot of crazy stuff happening over the years, and it’s always hard to pick one out of the blue. We were doing a video once out in the Sahara desert and the places we were living in were filled with scorpions and it was hard to sleep at night … There has been so much fun stuff and tough times that come from being in a band sometimes.” 

All right well thank you for agreeing to meet with The George Washington student- led Priestly Magazine, we really appreciate this opportunity to ask some questions. 

“Thank you for having me” 

I look forward to seeing your show in Philly, I am a big fan. Have a great night. 

“Awesome and same for you.” ☾