@charlesthetenor
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In this video, I hear and react to Sabaton’s powerful track “1916” for the first time. This song tells the heartbreaking tale of two unknown soldiers caught in the horrors of war during World War I. As I listen, I’ll be diving deep into the emotional storytelling, the vocal delivery, and Sabaton’s signature blend of historical narrative and powerful music.
Join me as I break down the vocal techniques, lyrical content, and production that make this song both devastating and unforgettable. Sabaton’s ability to bring history to life through music is something I can’t wait to explore more, and “1916” is a haunting reminder of the sacrifices made during one of the world’s darkest times.
Let me know in the comments what Sabaton song I should react to next!
Original Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HgGhhnQB1gw
0:00 – Introduction
0:57 – Reaction Starts
11:00 – Postlude & Final Thoughts
If we haven’t met before, welcome! I’m Charlie, an operatic tenor with degrees in vocal performance, and I specialize in bel canto techniques and contemporary singing. My day job is performing in opera houses around the U.S. and Mexico, and I’m passionate about sharing my love of music with you. Whether it’s symphonic metal, opera, pop, or rock, my mission is to break down complex vocal techniques and help singers of all levels unlock their full potential.
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I’m so excited to have you along for this journey. Let’s celebrate the beauty of the human voice together!
#CharlieCalotta #Reaction #Sabaton
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When you said this reminded you of Mahler's Fourth Symphony I almost jumped out of my skin, because I was thinking the exact same thing!
WWI song. Green Fields of France by Dropkick Murphys
So many superb decisions were made by the band for this song & video. I believe the best one was their choice of Tina Guo for the string arrangement during the credits. Phenomenal arrangement and performance.
since you just had nicole maria on how about oyu introduce her to metal on her channel. E.g. some new Nightwish…
I see a lot of people recommending the song Christmas Truce as the type for the next reaction. Definitely a good choice, but I would also recommend No Bullets Fly the animated story. Also a powerful and great story and an excellent song.
You’re so detached while reading the casualties and talking about the the instruments
This is definitely a sobering tribute to those who died in that incident and others. It definitely gets you in the feels. I appreciate the way Sabaton introduces history through song and honors those who've made their mark while not forgetting the ones who have mostly been forgotten in time. I have become a Sabaton fan only as a result of discovering them through Dan Vasc's covers of their songs "The Last Stand" & "Smoking Snakes" (Dan is Brazilian). I'd never heard of them beforehand. They're actually going to be in concert in 2 cities near me in October, but I'm not going to be able to go, unfortunately. I really enjoyed your reaction to this song.
Btw, at first glance, I didn't notice you having any reaction videos to Dan Vasc, but went back further & found you had reacted to several of Dan's covers about 3 yrs ago. However, I don't see any more since then. Dan just reached 1 million subscribers in May and there are so many other covers that are worth checking out. His Nessun Dorma is beautiful and powerful while his Iron Maiden & other covers are quite awesome, too. His Handel's Messiah Hallelujah Chorus (One Man Choir) is nothing short of a mind blowingly phenomenal feat. His Witcher covers were a big boost to his channel a few years ago and have more views than the original versions from the Netflix series. He converted those bard sons played on lute to heavy metal versions that are incredibly good.
Still, the song that introduced me & many others to Dan Vasc was his rendition of Amazing Grace in 2023, which is still my favorite version to date. If you happen to like "Kiss From a Rose" by Seal, Dan did a metal version of that song as a duet with fellow Brazilian Violet Orlandi. It's very possibly a better version than the original, but different enough that both can be appreciated on their own merits. There are about 250 videos to choose from on his YouTube channel. Dan is also the lead singer for his local band called Fearless. I hope you'll check him out again some day in the near future. It appeared that you did like him back then. 😊
This song makes me cry every time I hear it. So many of their songs have this powerful feel to them, even if it's about people or events you may not like. But then there's this. The reality of war, especially back then. And I can't help but cry when I hear it. Especially given the context, being based on the Battle of the Somme ( https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_the_Somme ); which had over 1 million casualties on both sides combined.
Do no bullets fly excellent tune
The idea that the tech outpaced the tactics. And whole towns lost all their men in a matter of mins. And we still have not learned from our past.
History should not be sugar coated even the bad things that happened. We should not cherry pick the parts of history to remember. Even the bad events should be remembered how else are we gonna learn it should not happen.
If you want some more emotional stuff, I recommend https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1q-Ga3myTP4 (it is in German, but has very good english subtitles). Many different Singers (the "& Freunde" means "& Friends), all very known in Germany. Not only a good message (no war), but also very good music/singer-wise
Joakim….how can you fuck that up???? it`s his name you fuck up!!!
I accidentally clicked on this review. YouTube “decided” I needed to see this. Have not had time to Google who you are but appreciate your sensitive review of this Sabaton song. I have subscribed and look forward to learning more about you and your channel.
They do not play Power Metal, they play Heavy Metal, said by the band themself. Listen to Freedom Call, Stradivarius or Blind Guardian or even try Tommys own band Majestica if you want to know the difference when it comes to Power Metal and Heavy Metal. Joakim does not have the voice to pull off Power Metal. Heavy Metal he does more than fine. Otherwise, nice reaction.
Motorheads original version is like your grandpa sitting you down and telling a story from long ago. Sabatons version is like a soldier living it currently.
I love this song so much ❤ The first time I heard it all I could do was cry…such an emotional song😢❤ If you've never heard Christmas Truce..give it a listen. I'll get you in the heart too…❤
I did some researching and found that all the names of the soldiers, knights and Spartans in the end were real people. Many of the soldiers were Medal of Honor, Silver Star, Victoria Cross or Croix de Guerre recipients.
The soldier pulling himself out of the mud, at first I thought he was a member of "The Smoking Snakes" (Força Expedicionária Brasileira, FEB, nicknamed Cobras Fumantes), but doing some more research with the patch on his shoulder as well as his helmet, that's Sgt Henry Johnson of the 15th New York National Guard Regiment, aka "The Harlem Hellfighters". Medal of Honor recipient and recipient of French Croix de Guerre avec Palme, France's highest award for valor. The Medal of Honor was awarded to him in 2015.
Sgt. Henry Johnson is "one of the five bravest American soldiers in the war."
Theodore Roosevelt Jr. in his book "Rank and File: True Stories of the Great War"
The Asian soldier with the cocked-hat, that's a Nepalese Gurka named Havildar Gurung (per the credits) who earn the Victoria Cross in the Burma campaign off WWII.
Sgt Awal Nur, who did a secret mission over the Himalayas.
Lt. Audie Murphy, Sgt. Alvin York are both medal of honor recipients from WWI (York) and WWII (Murphy).
I also notice a soldier with the Croix Lorraine on what looks like a French flag arm band, meaning he was a member of the 'Forces françaises libres' forces in WWII.
Doing some reading I found out that a large number of French colonial troops from territories such as Chad had joined with the 'Forces françaises libres'. I suspect that soldier is Lt Comba, but I can't find anything on him.
As I've been working my way through the names listed in the credits and found another one: Private George Stringer, Manchester, Awarded the Victoria Cross at the Battle of Es Sinn in Mesopotamia.
Capt. Dobson, 1st Canadian Infantry Battalion, Killed on 9 July 1916 in Flanders.
They made a video of making this video, its interesting
9:02 This is Motörhead (;
I suggest that you listen to Evergrey (ominus) you Will really like them or you could listen any song from them because all of there music is good