Sabaton Family Tree
This is a project aimed at making it easy to see who inspired the bands you love or even hate. For this I try not to use any influences that the band don’t claim themselves. There will be a focus on predecessors but successors will be added as they cite the band. These trees become more and more interactive as new bands are added, allowing you to click any band that has a tree and jump to it.
We want our lists to be better. If you know something that belongs on this list, let us know. When in doubt we will leave it out, so we need reliable sources.
Sabaton has become one of the most popular of metal bands of their generation. Generally regarded as a power metal band although in more recent years their sound has shifted to being more traditional/heavy while remaining synth laden and epic. Since the beginning vocalist Joakim Brodén has been the primary writer of the band with few songs being co-written with others. With this being the case, this list will focus on Joakim’s influences. The original lineup had no writing credits split with the exception of bassist Pär Sundström who had contributed to lyrics and remained after the split. Post split new guitar players Thobbe Englund, Chris Rörland, and Tommy Johansson, as well as drummer Hannes Van Dahl had occasional contributions. Their influences will also be noted. There are also occasional co-credits from outside musicians, producers and what not. They wont be included. I will split the band in Phase 1 and Phase 2 with Phase 1 being only Joakim’s influences, and Phase 2 indicating the major lineup change and new contributions.
Phase 1
Phase 1 will be only Joakim’s influences, but there is noted crossover from later members.
Slade was a glam band playing Hard Rock ‘n’ roll. Joakim The Amazing Kamikaze Syndrome was his first album and had an influence on him.
Black Sabbath, the fathers of heavy metal. Joakim named Heaven and Hell as one of his top albums but loves all eras of Sabbath including the Ozzy and Tony Martin years. Thobbe also named them. Hannes named Cozy as one of his biggest influences.
Rainbow combined the great Ronnie James Dio with Ritchie Blackmore for something legendary. Joakim, influenced by them, said that combination was the birth of the type of metal Sabaton plays. Thobbe also named them. Hannes named Cozy as one of his biggest influences.
Judas Priest are one of the most definitive heavy metal bands. Joakim named Painkiller as one of the defining albums of modern heavy metal. Hannes named Painkiller as a having a huge impact on him.
Yngwie Malmsteen is one of the most influential guitar players especially when it comes to neo-classical guitar. Joakim thinks the same, naming his Rising Force album in his top albums. Thobbe and Chris also named him. Hannes named Cozy as one of his biggest influences.
Twisted Sister are a band more metal than their glam appearance would signify. Joakim recalls see their “We’re Not Gonna Take It” music video when he was young which made him a metal head. He is a huge Dee Snider fan.
Accept are early flag flyers of heavy metal from Germany. Joakim named Metal Heart as one of his top albums.
Iron Maiden are one of the most influential metal bands, and Joakim is no exception to their influence. Chris named Adrian as his main influence, but also names Dave. Hannes named Nicko as one of his biggest influences.
Post Accept, Udo continued making metal under his own name. Joakim said he actually liked U.D.O. more than Accept
Blind Guardian are masters of power metal. Joakim named their imaginations From the Other Side album as a huge influence.
Phase 2
Phase 2 marks the major line up shift in the band and new contributions to writing.
The Who are rock legends and an early band to venture into harder rock. Keith Moon is listed as one of his biggest influences.
Deep Purple are early hard rock and metal pioneers. Thobbe named them as an influence.
Led Zeppelin are among the most influential hard rock bands. Banham is listed as one of his biggest influences.
Queen are a well known and popular rock band. Chris named Brian May as an influence.
Gary Moore is an influential guitarist. Tommy named him as the influence that made him want to play.
Van Halen changed the world of guitar. Chris named Eddie as an influence.
Virtuoso Steve Vai is a name often thrown out when discussing best guitar players. Chris named him as an influence.
Motley Crue were one of the biggest glam metal bands. Hannes named Tommy Lee as a main influence.
Marty Friedman
Marty Friedman is best known for his time in Megadeth, however also has played solo for years as well as Cacophony and others. Chris named him as an influence
Dream Theater are the quintessential progressive metal band. Chris named John Petrucci as an influence. (This may also include Liquid Tension Experiment)
Joe Satriani is a legend of instrumental rock guitarists. Chris named him as an influence.
Pantera are the fathers of Groove Metal. Hannes named Far Beyond Driven as a favorite album.
Children of Bodom were a synth laden melodic death metal band fronted by the late guitarist Alexi Laiho. Chris named him as an influence. (this could include his other projects such as Sinergy as well.)
Sources:
https://www.loudersound.com/features/10-albums-that-changed-my-life-by-sabaton-s-joakim-broden-metal-iron-maiden-judas-priest
https://crypticrock.com/interview-joakim-broden-of-sabaton/
https://metalinsider.net/interviews/interview-former-sabaton-guitarist-thobbe-englund-talks-solo-career
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5k2Q5dMOcBI
https://darkstars.de/guitar-special-vol-211-with-chris-roerland-sabaton/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q6BKkaOJexA
https://www.betreutesproggen.de/2022/02/sabaton-interview-with-hannes-van-dahl-about-songwriting-corona-and-musical-influences/
https://sabian.com/artist/hannes-van-dahl/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y-VEh0cU2Jc&t=2120s
