As committed as Sabaton is lately to taking their brand of power metal on the road, it's no surprise to see an official live release this year. World War Live - The Battle of the Baltic Sea is a hefty 2-disc set that chronicles the Swedish metal brigade's 2010 touring activity and provides a nice overview of the band's sound.
The first disc (Battle of the Baltic Sea) features Sabaton's 15-song performance at the 2010 Sabaton Cruise. It's a spirited live show that covers some of their better known songs like "Cliffs of Galipoli," "The Art of War" and "Primo Victoria." The second disc (World War Live) features another dozen songs taken from various spots on their 2010 European tour. It includes anthems like "Coat of Arms," "Back in Control" and the epic "Rise of Evil." Having seen the band live a couple of times, I'm happy to say that their live show is as good, if not better, than what you hear on their studio albums, and this live set captures that energy quite well. The sound quality of both discs is quite good as well.
Live albums aren't really my thing, especially in the DVD age, but this set is really enjoyable. The band covers most of the highlights of their back catalog, and seems to have a great time doing so. If you're a serious Sabaton fan, you'll want to check this one out.
Edition Notes: There is also a 3-disc version of World War Live - The Battle of the Baltic Sea that includes a bonus DVD with live footage. That's obviously the best version to get, though it's quite a bit pricier.