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Get Ready to ROCK! Live Editor Dave Wilson caught up with Swedish metallers Sabaton at an unusual location prior to the release of their new album…
The Heugh Battery in Hartlepool has been a strategic military position since the 17th Century, helping to protect the North East coast of England from invasion by the aggressors of the time.
It’s most well known moment though was back on the 16th December 1914 when battle raged with the German fleet who were bombarding Hartlepool from the sea. The first person killed on British soil in World War 1 fell just outside the battery and a further 129 died that night in the town along with many others injured. It was said that no family in the town went unscathed in the raid.
The battery became unused as the years passed and fell into disrepair before a group of enthusiasts took on the challenge of restoring the battery and turning it a museum, the only WW1 museum in the UK. The purpose was to preserve the place as a memorial to those who died and educate new generations on the cost of war and the importance of Hartlepool in the story of the Great War.
However, as a charitable trust money is always tight and back in 2019 they were struggling to make ends meet. When Sabaton heard of the plight of such a significant site, they sprang into action to help. They designed a T-shirt which was sold to raise funds and made over £4000 towards the museums £5000 target, helping to keep the place open and allowing the enthusiastic volunteers to continue spreading the word.
However, due to COVID restrictions the band had yet to visit the museum, so on the 3rd March the band finally arrived to see what they had helped to preserve. The invitation to the band also included a chance to fire a 25 pounder gun to commemorate the moment with guitarist Chris Rorland set to do the firing honours as he had previously served in the Swedish Artillery.
After various photo calls from the assembled press and a guided tour of some of the exhibits, all the band, Joakim Bordon, Per Sundstrom, Chris Rorland, Tommy Johansson and Hennes Van Dahl, gathered around the gun ready for the big moment.
After a quick introduction from museum Manager, Diane Stephens, Chris Rorland took the floor with the band looking on. Chris explained that the plan had changed due to the war raging in Ukraine and as a show of solidarity the band had taken the decision not to fire the gun as too many were being fired in anger. Instead, the barrel of the gun was symbolically lowered to the ground and the gunpowder from the shell to be used was laid out and discharged so the shell could not be fired.
Sabaton’s music may be steeped in military history and tales of battles across the centuries, however the band show of solidarity here was a move respected and supported by all in attendance.
With their new album, The War To End All Wars, due for release the following day I managed to catch a word with guitarist Tommy Johansson on the event, the new album and time travel!
Feature and Audio interview by Dave Wilson
Photos by Dave Wilson and Stephen Wilson
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