After many many years away from Vancouver, Sabaton returned to the PNE Forum on October 8 for a fiery night of heavy metal, military-themed theatrics and massive sing-alongs. The Swedish metal band chose the city to close out its North American tour, and it went out with a bang.

Opening the night was Pop Evil, whose modern hard rock offered a different sound from the headliner’s power metal. Tracks like “Trenches” brought plenty of energy, giving the crowd a reason to get moving before the main event. Their heavier riffs and commanding stage presence made for a solid start to the evening despite the low lighting.

Sabaton wasted little time making its return count. Kicking off with “Ghost Division,” the band delivered a wall of sound backed by pounding drums, sharp guitar riffs and bursts of fire that lit up the Forum. The stage, complete with military-inspired hardware, gave the performance the feel of a full-scale production rather than a standard metal concert.

Frontman Joakim Brodén led the charge with his unmistakable voice and natural sense of showmanship. Songs like “The Last Stand,” “Stormtroopers” and “Night Witches” showcased the band’s knack for turning historical stories into anthems built for thousands of voices. The crowd happily did its part, singing along throughout the night.

The spectacle never distracted from the music. Flames punctuated the band’s heaviest moments, adding extra intensity to “Bismarck,” “Fields of Verdun” and “The Attack of the Dead Men.” For the latter, the band leaned into the song’s subject matter with gas masks, adding another theatrical touch to an already explosive set.

The closing stretch was pure Sabaton. “Swedish Pagans” brought another huge audience sing-along before “Primo Victoria” and “To Hell and Back” sent the Forum into the night at full volume.

After seven years, Sabaton gave Vancouver plenty of reasons to welcome them back. Closing the North American tour with a performance this tight, loud and entertaining was a fitting end to the run. With commanding vocals, memorable choruses and enough pyro to warm the entire Forum, the band left little doubt that its next visit cannot come soon enough.

Check out our favourite photos of the night below or head to our Facebook page for the full gallery!

SABATON

POP EVIL

All Photo Credit: Caroline Charruyer

The Vogue, Vancouver | October 5, 2026

Are you looking for something a little different from your average rock concert? Do you value presentation and flair over more traditional stage shows? Have you heard the good word that is Twin Temple? Oh, you have?

“Praise Satan!”

We’re ashamed to say we were unaware of Twin Temple‘s game until earlier this year when they were suddenly dropped from country singer Charlie Crockett’s tour because of Temple‘s “Satanic imagery.” If only there was some way for Charlie’s team to vet their opening acts! Sneaky, sneaky satanists. On the upside, they opened for Jack White instead, which you have to admit is an upgrade.

This week Twin Temple brought their “Doomed Lovers” tour and unique brand of satanic doo-wop to Vancouver’s Vogue Theatre. Opening their show with pomp and ceremony (by which we of course mean goblets, swords, and the like) before diving into their catalogue of 1950s rock western hits. Think Patsy Cline with a liberal sprinkling of black leather, and you won’t be far off the mark.

Must Hear Songs by Twin Temple (In Our Humble Opinion):

• “Love You to Death” (Doomed Lovers, 2026)

• “Nothing Matters” (Twin Temple, 2018)

• “The Devil (Didn’t Make Me Do It)” (Doomed Lovers, 2026)

The band, who’s new album was set to drop the next day, paraded through their bigger hits; “The Devil” and “Sex Magick” featured early, before a longer interlude where singer Alexandra James polled the audience’s sexual experience as an intro to “Let’s Have a Satanic Orgy” and the slower dance ballad “Lucifer, My love.” Just regular pop love songs, nothing to see here.

Twin Temple is a rare breed, love them or hate them. They have all the visuals of a typical metal band – the gothic backdrops, inverted crosses, altars – but they combine that look unexpectedly with… Buddy Holly? Roy Orbison? Orville Peck? The internet has theories but none of them fit. There really isn’t much else like it, and we’re struggling to describe the show.

“We’re just carrying the torch of those two traditions: horniness and Satanism.” -Alexandra James

Regardless of our mediocre journalism, Twin Temple puts on an incredible show, and it shouldn’t be missed. Their message keeps you guessing, their crowd work is endearing,even their merch is on point. What else can we say, except that we’ll see them whenever they get back to Vancouver, and hex the patriarchy!

Twin Temple Setlist:

• The Devil (Didn’t Make Me Do It)

• I Am a Witch

• Sex Magick

• Rumble

• Let’s Have a Satanic Orgy

• Lucifer, My love

• Haunt Me

• Possessed

• Burn Your Bible

• Femme Fatale

• Satan’s Woman

• I’m Wicked

• In Nox

Check out our favorite photos of the night in the gallery below or head to our Facebook page for the full set. Thanks for attending the show with us and for checking out our review!

TWIN TEMPLE

All Photo Credit: Jason Martin