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Attero Dominatus 2006
Disc 1
1.
Attero Dominatus
03:43
2.
Nuclear Attack
04:09
3.
Rise Of Evil
08:19
4.
In The Name of God
04:06
5.
We Burn
02:55
6.
Angels Calling
05:57
7.
Back In Control
03:14
8.
Light In The Black
04:52
9.
Metal Crüe
03:42
10.
Für immer (Doro Cover Song)
04:36
11.
Länga Bollar Pä Bengt (Svenne Rubins Cover Song)
02:52
12.
Metal Medley (Live In Falun 2008)
06:12
13.
Nightchild
05:12
14.
Primo Victoria (Demo Version)
04:11
About Attero Dominatus
RELEASE DATE: July 28, 2006
RECORD LABEL: Black Lodge Records
PRODUCER: Tommy Tägtgren
THE SECOND CHAPTER
“Attero Dominatus” marked the commencement of Sabaton’s second chapter, standing proudly as the sister album to “Primo Victoria”. As a band, we wholeheartedly recognise its significance, viewing it as equally impactful as our debut. We are aware many of our listeners have a strong, personal connection to it and for that we are beyond humbled and grateful.
Let’s dive into the details. To kick things off, here’s a story about the making of “Attero Dominatus”. When we were about to record this album, we found ourselves in a race against time as we were gearing up for our first ever European tour alongside DragonForce and Edguy – an adventure that left an indelible mark on us. The clock was ticking, and we were under immense pressure. With just three weeks at our disposal, we jumped straight into recording, mixing and mastering the album, surviving on minimal sleep. The culmination? We wrapped up the master tapes a mere 60-minutes before rushing to catch our flight for the tour, while simultaneously patching up Pär after he was assaulted in the studio by someone who wanted to steal all of our gear. It was a huge challenge, pushing our capabilities to the brink and beyond. Yet, amidst the chaos, there was an undeniable thrill. Our determination to craft a successor worthy of “Primo Victoria” drove us to exceed our own expectations.
This experience revealed our untapped potential, transforming into a blessing in disguise. “Attero Dominatus” emerged as one of Sabaton’s most cherished and revered albums. We believe it holds something distinct, though pinpointing exactly what, remains a delightful mystery.
YOUNGER SIBLING OF “PRIMO VICTORIA”
“Attero Dominatus”, derived from Latin and translating to “destroy tyranny,” serves as the sister album to “Primo Victoria”. A keen ear will pick up on parallels between the two albums, a result of 50% of the record’s tracks having been written at the same time as those of its predecessor. The synergy extends further due to the album being recorded in the same studio with the same producer to ensure a cohesive and identifiable sound. The commitment to sonic continuity was definitely deliberate.
This album achieved a remarkable 16th place in the Swedish charts, which left us utterly astounded. It remained in the charts for seven weeks – an unexpected surprise.
THE HISTORY BEHIND THE SONGS
As for the theme of “Attero Dominatus”, the profound resonance of war stirred something within us, serving as an unparalleled well of inspiration beyond comprehension. Both our inaugural studio albums navigate the war narrative, yet conclude with a touch of levity through whimsical, less sombre compositions.
The title track, “Attero Dominatus“, draws inspiration from The Battle of Berlin – the last major offensive of World War II in Europe which brought the reign of Nazi Germany to an end. The second song, “Nuclear Attack“, addresses a watershed moment that reshaped history – the deployment of the first atomic bomb on August 6, 1945, which claimed 140,000 lives in the immediate explosion. This number significantly rose in the years that followed.
The historical narrative unfolds further with “Rise Of Evil“, which was written about Adolf Hitler’s ascension to power, while “In The Name Of God” was inspired by the harrowing spectre of terrorism. Each track weaves a tapestry of historical significance, inviting listeners on a journey through the complexities of human nature.
Shifting towards more contemporary historical events, “We Burn” delves into the haunting Srebrenica Massacre of July 11, 1995. The perspective in this song is crafted from that of a former commander of the Bosnian Serb Army.
“Angels Calling” is about what soldiers in the First World War on both sides endured during their time in the grim trenches. This song is not about a single battle. It focuses instead on the broader horror of trench warfare. A personal favourite of Joakim’s, the song holds a special place in his heart with many positive memories attached to it. We later re-recorded this song with Finnish symphonic metallers, Apocalyptica.
The next track, “Back In Control”, was written about the Falklands War from the perspective of the British soldiers.
The historical journey of our “Attero Dominatus” album reaches its end with “Light In The Black“, which was written about the United Nations and deployed peacekeepers in general.
As we wrap up the album, we return to a lighter note with “Metal Crüe“, a spirited composition inspired by “Metal Machine” from our debut album, “Primo Victoria”. Crafted for pure enjoyment, it playfully features various band names, bringing a delightful contrast to the weightiness of the preceding tracks.
THE SABATON “UNIFORM”
With the stories behind our album covered, we now jump to another topic: How we came up with our distinctive look. While our affinity for military history is undeniable, the evolution of our “uniform” was a spontaneous occurrence that is actually linked to this album. It was not a deliberate plan. The catalyst? Our very first music video for the title track, “Attero Dominatus”. Navigating the uncharted waters of the industry, the director suggested we wear something “cooler” – something out of the ordinary that we wouldn’t usually wear and something that would resemble military clothing. In a stroke of serendipity, Joakim opted for his now-famous vest and the rest of us decided to wear what is now our Sabaton “uniform”.
So, what began as an impromptu fashion experiment in the early days, became a defining element of our visual identity.
A HATRED FOR TAPE RECORDERS
And concluding the tales surrounding “Attero Dominatus”, here’s another gem of a story that you might not have come across yet.
“Attero Dominatus” was the very first album that featured our ex-keyboardist and good friend, Daniel Mÿhr. He was beyond excited to start this heavy metal journey with us and enter the studio. Daniel’s experience, however, brought forth an unforeseen hatred for tape recorders.
His parts were to be recorded on an ADAT tape recorder. As the studio sessions were coming to an end, a disheartening revelation surfaced – the tape recorder had malfunctioned. The synth-choir recordings Daniel had meticulously crafted now resembled a flock of sheep on drugs. Unfortunately, he didn’t get the chance to jump back into the studio before the deadline, which was just a couple of days away. The more than capable Joakim stepped in to save the day and recorded all the keys once more, and the only track of Daniel’s that was salvageable was the background synth for “In The Name Of God”.
Needless to say, we never used tape recorders again…