So, this was a night of firsts.

First time for me at the Fox Theater. First time for me to see Epica. First time for one of my friends and concert buddies to see both Epica and Sabaton. Not to mention, the first time I'm seeing Sabaton after a dreadful last two years. The pandemic has not been kind to live concerts, and I've seen many a tour be canceled, postponed, or cut short early.  It was a good night.  I've always wanted to see Epica, and Sabaton is one of my go-to bands time after time.  This show was a natural choice for me.  

Main Image : ??????, commissioned by Yostar for Azur Lane 2nd Anniversary

The events kicked off early in the day at the Razer Store in San Francisco. About a week and a half ago, Sabaton announced that their only meet and greet of the tour would be at this particular Razer Store. I found it a little odd as there wasn't even a concert in San Francisco. Then again, Oakland (the home of the Fox Theater) doesn't have a Razer Store. Whatever. If you're wondering why Sabaton is holding an event at a Razer Store to begin with, it's because they paired with Razer to have some collaboration goodies like mousepads and mice.

When I meet artists and musicians, it's usually all in Japanese. It was nice being able to actually converse in English for a change and not need a translator, as my Japanese skill hovers somewhere around the level of being able to talk to kindergarteners. I picked up a mousepad, who the group was happy to provide autographs upon. Some folks brought their own items like vinyl record sleeves and album inserts to have signed. Naturally, I took a photo or two with them. Such are the benefits of being the last man in line.

Fast forward a few hours and I find myself outside the Fox Theater. As mentioned, I've never been here before and didn't know what to expect. Most of the shows I see are held in San Francisco. The Fox Theater was first opened in the late 1920s and had its 90th anniversary in 2018, and just over a decade of that has been as a concert venue. It's seen a lot of bands perform upon its hallowed stage, and can now count Epica and Sabaton among them.

The interior still maintains much of its art deco motif. I would describe it as a bigger cousin to San Francisco's Warfield Theater, which also opened in the 1920s. The main antechamber has embellishments on the walls and ceiling, and both feature a combination of sitting and standing room, and also have an upper balcony with elevated seating. Both also have tiered levels on the ground floor, which is great for people like myself who need a little bit extra to be able to see.

As always, I highly suggest earplugs. For someone like myself who is right in front of the barricade being blasted by bass waves show after show, your ears will thank you. I've talked to many a person after a show who has lost some of their hearing and you don't get all of that hearing back. The speakers at the Fox have quite the oomph and while I felt it bodily, my ears didn't.

Leading off the night would be Epica. Vocalist Simone Simons and company mark their 20th anniversary as a band this year. As such, the setlist contained songs from their career from first (Cry for the Moon from "The Phantom Agony") to last (Abyss of Time – Countdown to Singularity from "Omega"). I'm a big fan of Unchain Utopia from "The Quantum Enigma" and was happy to see it live. The performance from Omega Alive of this song really sealed it as one of my favorites from the band. It's probably a good thing that it wasn't part of the first three songs or I would have had trouble deciding whether I wanted to headbang in time with the music or take photos. The rest of the setlist had some good songs like Beyond the Matrix and Code of Life which help show the range and depth of the band, and are good songs in their own right.

Epica's music is pure symphonic metal, and is, well, epic. Simone's operatic vocals collide with the growls of Mark Jansen, and throw in a little yelling by keyboardist Coen Janssen and Isaac Delahaye, too. At this point, every member of Epica has been in the band for a solid decade. I think I first learned of Epica from 2012's Storm the Sorrow (also performed this night). I do not have a good excuse as to why it's taken so long for me to see them in person.  It's long overdue, especially how I've seen their namesake Kamelot so many times.

As is customary for Epica concerts, Consign to Oblivion closed out the set. This song is well known for what Simone once called, "The Wall of Epica." For others, it is commonly known as "the wall of death." If you're not familiar with either of those names, it is when a rift is formed in the midst of a crowd at a concert and, at a set time (usually set to a musical cue), the people on the opposing sides slam into each other and then develop a mosh pit or circle pit. It doesn't matter if it's a small live house or a huge amphitheater; The Wall will not be denied.

For a visual representation, please refer to this video:

 

Sadly, no Attack on Titan songs. They've only played them a couple of times live in Japan and Brazil. I think they should try adding it to their sets, as there's plenty of crossover between metal fans and anime fans. Even without knowing what Attack on Titan is, the songs easily fit Epica's style and I would love to see Crimson Bow and Arrow live. I'd also like to see The Quantum Enigma live, as I've loved that song for a while.

After a short break, the lights dimmed, and the opening bars of the legendary Ghost Division could be heard. Sabaton starts almost every show with Ghost Division and it's hard not to know all the words by heart if you've seen a show or two. Named for Erwin Rommel's armored spearhead during World War II, it is the perfect way to kick things off. Much like Rommel dove headlong into enemy lines, so does the song. You're immediately thrown into the pulse-pounding core that is Sabaton.

Sabaton, if you're not familiar with them, is a band that sings about war. Most songs are of wars long past with the exception of a few which involve the Gulf War (Reign of Terror) and the Global War on Terror (Panzer Battalion). Their most recent album, "The War to End All Wars," is based on World War I, much like the previous album, "The Great War." Joakim Broden and Par Sundstrom are the two most senior members of the band. Drummer Hannes van Dahl (who happens to be married to Floor Jansen of Nightwish) and guitarists Tommy Johansson and Chris Rorland all joined about halfway through the bands life and are equally cornerstones of the band.

A number of songs on the set list are from this latest album but there was plenty of space for some old favorites like Carolus Rex, Night Witches, Shiroyama, and To Hell and Back. Another one of those staple songs, Swedish Pagans, found its way into the encore.

I gained a new appreciation for Dreadnought. On first listen, I wasn't the biggest fan, but after seeing it live, I can say I enjoyed it. Storm Troopers, Christmas Truce, and Soldier of Heaven were also featured from "The War to End All Wars."

All of the songs featured by Wargaming.net (Primo Victoria, Steel Commanders, Bismarck) were included on the set. The Attack of the Dead Men, from "The Great War," has also quickly cemented itself as a regular part of Sabaton's live shows. Joakim took the opportunity to don a gas mask and smoke projector to fit in with the theme.

One song I wish they would play more of is Angels Calling, and it would perfectly fit the World War I timeline. This song was done in conjunction with fellow band Apocalyptica and makes use of their cellos. Also missing, 40:1 and Winged Hussars. 40:1 was one of the first Sabaton songs I heard way back circa 2008 and it's always been one of my favorites, in particular because of the enduring message. Winged Hussars's trademark line "And the Winged Hussars arrive!" will sadly not be present for this tour.  Call it a meme or not, it's enjoyable to listen and to chant along to.

We're still at the beginning of the tour so you have plenty of time to make plans and see this concert. Up next will be Los Angeles on Friday, 9/23. One of our other members here will be making his first foray into seeing Sabaton, and I'm not sure if it's because of me, or because Gawr Gura seems to like them too. Or maybe it's our shared interest in BABYMETAL, who collaborated with Joakim for the song Oh! MAJINAI, which is honestly a song you should just forget exists.  Trust me, and that's my opinion as a fan of both Sabaton and BABYMETAL.  In any case, check Epica and Sabaton out. You'll enjoy it, and maybe learn a thing or two.  Tickets are available at www.sabaton.net.

 

Show dates as follows:

9/15/22 Seattle, WA - Paramount Theatre
9/16/22 Portland, OR - Roseland Theater
9/17/22 Portland, OR - Roseland Theater
9/19/22 Boise, ID - Revolution Concert House
9/21/22 Oakland, CA - Fox Theater
9/23/22 Los Angeles, CA - Hollywood Palladium
9/24/22 Phoenix, AZ - Arizona Federal Theatre
9/25/22 Las Vegas, NV - Brooklyn Bowl
9/27/22 Salt Lake City, UT - The Complex
9/28/22 Denver, CO - Fillmore Auditorium
9/30/22 Dallas, TX - South Side Ballroom
10/1/22 Houston, TX - Bayou Music Center
10/3/22 Nashville, TN - Ryman Auditorium
10/4/22 Atlanta, GA - Tabernacle
10/6/22 Silver Spring, MD - The Fillmore Silver Spring
10/8/22 Cincinnati, OH - The Andrew J Brady Music Center
10/10/22 Detroit, MI - The Fillmore
10/11/22 Grand Rapids, MI - GLC Live at 20 Monroe
10/13/22 Minneapolis, MN - The Fillmore
10/15/22 Chicago, IL - Byline Bank Aragon Ballroom
10/17/22 Pittsburgh, PA - Stage AE
10/18/22 Philadelphia, PA - The Fillmore
10/21/22 Boston, MA - MGM Music Hall at Fenway
10/22/22 Montreal, QC (CA) - Place Bell
10/23/22 New York, NY - Hammerstein Ballroom

Setlist for Epica:

 

1. Abyss of Time – Countdown to Singularity
2. Sensorium
3. Victims of Contingency
4. Unchain Utopia
5. Cry for the Moon
6. Storm the Sorrow
7. Code of Life
8. Beyond the Matrix
9. Consign to Oblivion

 

Setlist for Sabaton: 

 

1. Ghost Division
2. Stormtroopers
3. The Red Baron
4. Bismarck
5. The Attack of the Dead Men
6. Soldier of Heaven
7. Steel Commanders
8. Carolus Rex
9. Gott mit uns (Swedish ver)
10. Night Witches
11. Dreadnought
12. Shiroyama
13. The Last Stand
14. Christmas Truce

Encore:
15. Primo Victoria
16. Swedish Pagans
17. Master of Puppets (Metallica cover)
18. To Hell and Back