Sabaton’s recent “History Rocks” museum charity venture, featuring the premiere of their animated film, The War To End All Wars – The Movie, has proven highly successful. The film has deeply resonated with museum patrons worldwide. Created in collaboration with Yarnhub Animation Studios, the film intricately intertwines narratives from World War I, drawing inspiration from Sabaton’s potent songs in their latest album, The War To End All Wars.
The objective of the “History Rocks” initiative was to raise awareness about the significance of history and encourage local museum support, introducing these cultural institutions to a new audience—the vast fanbase of SABATON, consisting of millions of metalheads and history enthusiasts. Screened in 140 museums across 30 countries from November 4th to 19th, the film has sparked a renewed interest in historical storytelling through the unique lens of heavy metal.
Museums reported a maximum of 72 screenings per museum over the two weeks, with some witnessing up to 1,200 visitors attending exclusively for the movie. Nancy Bentley, curator and event coordinator at Hutchings Museum, Lehi (Utah, USA), shared her excitement, stating that the project exceeded expectations and generated palpable energy at the museum.
To enhance the experience, SABATON members attended selected screenings across Europe, engaging with fans, hosting Q&A sessions, and signing autographs. Some screenings also welcomed war veterans, furthering the film’s emotional impact.
I am incredibly happy to see the overwhelming turnout for the screenings of The War To End All Wars – The Movie. It’s heartening to witness the dedication of fans who travelled significant distances to attend these events. The response and the experience have been amazing, and we’re grateful for the opportunity to share this historical journey with our fans. This project honestly went better than we could have even imagined. The feedback we received both during and after the event was incredible, and the fact that we’ve actually made a difference to the museums with the ‘”History Rocks” project means everything to us. Mission accomplished.
Pär Sundström, Sabaton bassist and manager
A post-event survey revealed that 100% of participating museums expressed openness to future collaborations with Sabaton on similar projects, underscoring the initiative’s overall success. Looking ahead, Sabaton is exploring ways to bring the film to a broader audience, with plans yet to be finalized.
Sabaton has earned quadruple-platinum sales, headlined major festivals, and sold-out arenas globally. With ten studio albums and numerous accolades, Sabaton continues to merge historical war events with heavy metal, captivating audiences worldwide with their unique blend of music and storytelling.
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