Coming off the announcement of a massive 2025 worldwide tour, including a 31-date North American run set for early 2026, SABATON today (October 17) releases their much-anticipated 11th studio album LEGENDS via Better Noise Music (marking the band’s label debut). It features the latest single and accompanying video, I, Emperor, based on the complex and controversial Napoleon Bonaparte, by the #1 Global Power Metal Band and one of Sweden’s most successful bands.
Throughout the album, 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.
For the album’s sixth single, I, Emperor, the band is setting their sights on the complex and controversial Napoleon Bonaparte, who rose to fame during the French Revolution and became a hero after his Italian campaign. He took power as First Consul, then crowned himself Emperor. Known for his brilliant military tactics, he beat major European powers in battles like Austerlitz and Rivoli. He also reformed laws with the Napoleonic Code, but his ambition caught up with him after a failed invasion of Russia and defeat at Waterloo, and he was exiled.
“Epic battles, bold moves and a rise from nothing to emperor,” explains frontman Joakim Brodén. “Napoleon is straight up legendary, and his story is basically built for a SABATON song. Plus, this one was greatly—and I mean greatly—requested by fans. So here it is… you asked, we delivered!”
