Sabaton releases “Crossing The Rubicon” featuring singer Jonny Hawkins and guitarist Mark Vollelunga of NOTHING MORE. This special collaborative version of the track hits the radio airwaves today, while the original version will be available as part of the LEGENDS album release.
“Working with our American brothers in NOTHING MORE on our new single ‘Crossing The Rubicon’ has been an absolute pleasure,” says frontman Joakim Brodén. “When we shared the song with the guys, they really liked it and were genuinely excited about a collaboration, which got us really pumped. There’s something powerful about bringing two worlds together in music.”
“I’m really glad we got the chance to team up with our new labelmates NOTHING MORE for this one,” continues bassist Pär Sundström. “Collaborating with them added a cool touch. This one’s a special treat for both their fans and ours!”
NOTHING MORE frontman Jonny Hawkins says, “This song awakens that old, war spirit in me and makes me want to ride a horse straight into the gates of hell. I’m proud to be a part of it with such an incredible band like Sabaton.”
“We are very honored and excited to release this collaboration with our newfound Swedish labelmates Sabaton,” adds NOTHING MORE guitarist Mark Vollelunga. “It was fun to do something a little different than we were used to, and we’re stoked they wanted us to put our special NOTHING MORE sauce on their Scandinavian Metal.”
Throughout the aptly titled LEGENDS, SABATON—Joakim Brodén (vocals), Pär Sundström (bass), Chris Rörland (guitar), Thobbe Englund (guitar), Hannes Van Dahl (drums)—delve into some of history’s greatest and most loved characters such as Jeanne D’arc (also known as Joan of Arc), Napoleon Bonaparte, Julius Caesar, and the legendary swordmaster Miyamoto Musashi.
For “Crossing The Rubicon,” their focus is on Julius Caesar, who rose to prominence in the Roman Republic as consul. He enacted reforms to reduce corruption and ease taxation while leading his legions to victories in Gaul, defeating tribes like the Arverni, Helvetii and Belgae, and expanding Roman territory to the Rhine and Danube rivers. As his influence grew, political rivals became increasingly hostile. In response, he famously crossed the Rubicon, igniting a civil war. After defeating his enemies in Italy, Greece, and Egypt, he returned to Rome with dictatorial powers, implementing the Julian calendar and modernizing public works. However, on the Ides of March in 44 B.C., he was assassinated by Senate conspirators, ending his rule but leaving a significant legacy as a master strategist and ambitious leader who reshaped Rome’s future.
“Everyone knows the phrase ‘Veni, vidi, vici,’” says bassist Pär Sundström. “It’s iconic, just like Caesar himself. He was a force of nature who reshaped an entire empire. And his story…well it’s pure Sabaton material. When we did some internal trials of the new songs and got our closest friends and colleagues to listen to it, we quickly noticed that this was one of the—if not the—top tracks from our new album. Let’s see if the fans agree.”
“Julius Caesar is an incredibly intriguing figure,” continues singer Joakim Brodén, “and let’s be real, he’s known all around the world for a reason! His story is legendary. He was a brilliant general, a bold leader, and a trailblazer of ancient history. His story has war, ambition, betrayal…everything that fits right into the world of Sabaton. He didn’t just fight battles; he changed the course of history. That mix of strategy, drama, and raw power made him a go-to choice for LEGENDS.”
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