First Time Reaction to "Race to the Sea" by Sabaton

[@spirosgreek1171]

Usually they make a second history video for a song that they left things out. They will propably make one in the future for that part of the Race to the Sea. King Albert I of Belgium and the belgian actions during the war are something worth learning about!

[@Naffurie]

If I remember it correctly, the King of Belgium went against his commanders and ordered the flooding of the river to halt the german advance, and then fought in the trenches with his men. I had also hoped that they would talk more about that in the video but still, any history is interesting :D Also, not sure how accurate this is but I have heard that Belgium is one of the few countries that didnt shot or throw deserters into prison, mainly because the king himself fought in the trenches and knew the horrors of war. (but that I havent actually confirmed yet so not sure how true it is.)

[@armityle7138]

the royal couple was heavily involved , while King Albert was on the front line alongside the soldiers, the queen was helping the nurses and was actively involved. As for the commander part, belgium commanders wanted to retreat even further to the point of givin the entire Belgium to the Germans, after crossing the Yser river I believe, King Albert overruled the commanders and ordered to flood the Yser river thus stopped the german advance and keep (as the song says) a last piece of Belgium free. I believe that's one of the reason the royal family is liked by their population: at its darkest hour, they were there among their man, sharing the horror, and this was a huge boost for the soldier's moral. Overall great song and really nice story behind it :)

[@jefrosiers8880]

Albert 1 and his wife were the one royal couple I am genuinely proud of as a belgian, they were good moinarchs and stood with the people of the country unlike many others during those days.

[@Krokmaniak]

Few things for future reference. This whole album is about WW1 and WW1 was 1914-1918

[@skillBpro]

"See a king and a soldier, fighting shoulder to shoulder" The King was at the frontline's with his soldiers The Queen was in the medical tents treating their wounds

[@TouchyReactions]

Respect

[@miiah7475]

Joakim said they filmed the music video in a mine lake (Czech Republic). They did it with the same czech movie production team and director that did the "Christmas Truce". Little smaller production on this one since they didn't need the massive amount of extras, costumes, catering ect. But they had special effect and camera divers. Apparently the water was really cold even though it was filmed in summer. They did have wetsuits, but they spent hours in the water being cold and wet. They used their real instruments, but since they tour so much they have to regularly replace them anyway, so they sacrificed the old ones that were going to be "retired". Joakim said they plan to turn them in to music video instruments, since they are ruined for actual playing but they don't want to just throw them away either. About the band members ages, this is from wikipedia. In order of oldest to youngest: Joakim - 41 (5 October 1980) Pär - 40 (8 June 1981) Chris - 35 (27 December 1986) Tommy - 34 (26 October 1987) Hannes - 32 (18 January 1990) Go with the 82nd hat. It'll go well with sabaton crowd :)

[@TouchyReactions]

Miia, Thanks so much for getting this information out to us. The guys are all younger than me and the still look good. Pär is my spirit animal. I love his energy whenever he is performing. You can tell he loves his job.

[@miiah7475]

@@TouchyReactions I watch a lot of Sabaton interviews (among everything else Sabaton). In fact, i have a playlist here on youtube, of over 200 interviews from 2008 to now, if anyone is interested ;) All in order by the year and all ones I've watched... I have to say my favorite is Joakim, but they are all really great. And if someone says they don't like Pär they are either lying or haven't seen enough of him :)

[@danielberger1378]

I was just about to look up all the informations that you provided here. Thank god that I usually go through the comment section before I post something on my own, it saved me an embarassing moment 😅

[@vegvisir9276]

King Albert was a damn good king standing side by side with his men.

[@lovrosedej7655]

They wanted to talk about king Albert but got sidetracked so badly. The guy fought alongside his troops on the frontlines and at the time rumors were that the germans never fired upon him out of respect for him or for fear of punishment by the Kaiser, Albert's cousin. His wife queen Elisabeth worked as a nurse at the front and they even allowed his 12yo son Leopold to enlist as a private and fight in the ranks. Crazy to think how all the major rulers were cousins and how the Kaiser himself said if their grandmother Queen Victoria was still alive, she would never allow them go to war with eachother.

[@Fuilleverte]

Par will be 41 in June. the opening line tells you it was WWI. "As an archduke falls and the battle horn calls" The Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria was Assassinated which touched off the war. I'd say the 92nd Airborne one. And keep a count of how many "Thank You For Your Service" you get. Oh, and while I'm at it... "Thank You For YOUR Service. Both then and now sir."

[@rampartwarrior6213]

love this song. highlighted how the Belgians hell even their king fought for every inch of their country

[@ignorance112]

Great reaction, been waiting for this alongside you for a while glad to see this finally come out! Now this is complete speculation on my end on why there was not much of a mention regarding the flooding of the Yser or King Albert, I think that its to do with Indy not having listened to the album much and as such the history segment is not quite "aligned" with what the song goes over, but rather more to do with the overall topic of "Race to the Sea". Also when it comes to the hat choice I'd say go with the 82nd Airborne one.

[@TouchyReactions]

Sweet thanks

[@codex4046]

17:47 I'm no historian nor a military expert, but I think the leap frogging happened because German troops 1, 2 and 3 have had the most significant fights already, winning and losing territory. 6, 7 and 5 probably had more fighting power in them.

[@TouchyReactions]

Makes sense

[@wesleywilkinson6629]

it could also be that the territory taken by the 5,6,7 was given to the troops defending the pre-war French boarder so that the fresher troops be used in the north

[@RandomManIncorperated]

Most Leaders:Alright Men You Fight On The Frontlines Whilst I Stay Here. King Of Belgium:SOLDIERS OF BELGIUM!, THE GERMANS HAVE TAKEN MOST OF OUR HOME BUT WE WILL HOLD THIS PART OF OUR LAND WE WILL NOT FALL WE WILL NOT FALTER WE WILL DEFEND OUR HOME BELGIUM WILL NEVER KNEEL TO GERMANY AS LONG AS I AM KING NOW! MY SOLDIERS WILL YOU JOIN IN DEFENDING OUR HOME TO ARMS MEN!!!! Belgium:YOU HEARD HIS MAJESTY! CHARGE!!!!!!

[@tomislavmeeral3810]

There is a video about king Albert I on the great war channel also done by Indy.

[@PastelFurry]

Its funny that you mention it being your like 3rd favorite from the album, because I remember when I gave a listen to the whole album for the first time and even listening to the releases before the album I kept going "this is my favorite" and then "no this is my favorite" rinse and repeat. I came to the decision that I just love pretty much all of the songs on the album and have a hard time deciding which one is my favorite, although the 3 top ones would be Lady of the Dark, Race to the Sea and The Valley of Death Oh also when I watched the Sabaton History of this the day it released I did feel like Indie did look a bit "off" and I can totally see it when you say he might have been drunk for the intro part xD

[@Draculabelmont]

The history videos for "Christmas truce", "unkillable soldier" and "soldier of heaven" have also been out for a while 😁

[@TouchyReactions]

I've done reactions to those already.

[@Anders-M]

@@TouchyReactions You have reacted to the music videos, but not the history videos.

[@xiuhwho]

It was actually a good strategy too for the king to fight. Imagine being the German soldier that committed regicide.

[@dorlonelliott9368]

They opened the locks at Neuport - salt water flooding...

[@FamousGirlfriend]

Oh, please, please, PLEASE, invite Cindy to join you for your future reaction to Lady of the Dark! It would be absolutely awesome. A lady reacting to a lady! Edit: about the hat... Wearing the 82nd Airborne makes a lot of sense +Martine noticing it is what got you into this mess to begin with. But yeah, that's a tough one.

[@TouchyReactions]

Thanks, Anechka. I'll try to get Cindy on that reaction. And yes this is all Martine's fault...lol

[@seanaries4323]

Stormtroopers, soldier of heaven, race to the sea, and hell fighters are probably my favorites but dreadnought is enjoyably different and the unkillable soldier has really been a grower now that I've played the album 800 million times

[@davidhenriksson285]

Stormtroopers, hell fighters and Lady of the dark for me

[@ntfdbrs2562]

Victor Emmanuel of Italy also fought alongside his soldiers, he even met up with King Albert of Belgium in the frontlines.

[@ntfdbrs2562]

He was very short compared to King Albert

[@utredmaethor769]

How the king of Italy could meet the king of the belgians on the frontlines ?? They are miles away from each other

[@captaincrary]

I’d pay to see that karaoke night 🤣

[@hex1c]

Joakim bashing the water is gold

[@6th_Army]

It's a shame Indy didn't go over the history of the song and instead went over the race to the sea. Though the name of the song, not the same thing. Hopefully a part two is hidden away somewhere.

[@commando2113]

Albert 1 is the tru king of the Belgian's it's like ambiorix that brought the belgae tribe's together and fought the romen empire .

[@armityle7138]

Honestly, I feel that this might be a two parter episode because while Indi talked about the context of the race to the see, he didn't really go into king albert and belgium defiance which is what this song is about. So I really hope they will make a 2nd part and go deeper in that story. As for the video, they shot it I believe in a cave in tcheque republic. TankTech did recently an interview with Joakim and those instruments by the the end of the shooting were done for due to amount of water in the wooden parts

[@MrCaptainChief]

It is disappointing that they didn't cover more of Belgium's history in this period. Especially cause the song tells the Belgian perspective. Belgium was almost overrun by the Germans, only the northern part of the country remained free. So King Albert I of Belgium ordered the flooding of the Yser river by destroying the Dam. The flooded river stopped the Germans, and the Belgians held the line for the rest of the war, defending the last free piece of Belgium. King Albert I of Belgium is known as the Knight-King, he fought alongside his men at the front. He was the highest ranking commander in World War I, and the only Sovereign to directly fight in World War I. The Germans avoided firing on him out of respect for his valor and because he was the cousin of German Kaiser Wilhelm II. Queen Elisabeth of Belgium served as a nurse in World War I, and prince Leopold (The future Leopold III of Belgium) served as a soldier in the army. He also led the final offensive of the War. As Commander of the Army Group Flanders which consisted of Belgian, French and British divisions he liberated occupied Belgium. King Albert, Queen Elisabeth and their children then reentered Brussels to a Hero's welcome.

[@TouchyReactions]

Thank you for sharing this with us.

[@dingodelta]

His Mellatica Shirt 😂

[@RavetsU]

You're going to absolutely love this album. Indy needs to hurry up though!

[@99Knytes]

Sabaton just released The Symphony to End All Wars; which is basically orchestral versions of the songs (no lyrics). Haven't listened to it yet, but they did the same for The Great War album, and I enjoyed some of those versions more than the actual song; 82nd All the Way being a prime example. So there's a bit more Sabaton to add to some Sabaton videos lol Edit: your comment about a leader that fights with his men reminds me of a line from the movie, Shoot'em Up, where Paul Giamatti's villain character says after being asked by a henchman if he should hang back first, "A leader who stays in the rear, takes it in the rear."

[@joeviolette5823]

great reaction video. as to the hat question, I vote for the 82nd airborne hat. you are a hero for serving. thank you for your service and your videos.

[@TouchyReactions]

I appreciate that. Thanks Joe

[@phurtig9881]

That music video rocks ! And I still like your reactions too.

[@TouchyReactions]

Yeah great video

[@miafranlund6982]

Really appreciate, and a big shoutout to # Darkness Nightingale for the head up to Touchy about the history episode. Also a big thanks to YOU Touchy for dropping everything and instantly making a reaction.

[@TouchyReactions]

Thanks Mia.

[@СтаниславАлексеенко-ч4ъ]

82-nd Airborne Division hat, most certainly! And, yes, that's a pretty cool song, though I, personally, like track 2 and track 3 of the album more. 😛

[@marinamucic908]

I have a feeling that Indy's speech about neutrality has less to do with Belgium and Finland and more to do with the current situation. Don't hurry making list of favourite songs from the new album until you hear Dreadnought, Stormtroopers and Hellfighters. Definitely go with 82nd Airborne hat

[@TouchyReactions]

Thanks Marina

[@seanaries4323]

Oh how I've awaited this moment! You rock man. Cant wait for the next one. Their all my favorites but this is one of my favorites

[@TouchyReactions]

Thanks Sean

[@fredriknilsson6042]

They dont have it in the setlist for the tour in Sweden. Maybe they will change some songs when they go to the states

[@pistonhead3815]

82nd Airborne hat for sure

[@mrlizardtx]

All songs on the new album are from WWI.

[@rosswhite5975]

Video was apparently done by the same guys that did the Christmas Truce video. They are not actually music video people, they are professional movie people who usually work on movie sets etc (but happened to be out of work at the moment due to lockdowns delaying a lot of movies). Band were apparently v cold and had wetsuits on under their camp gear. Also those guitars were ruined by doing that video shoot 😄, but i'm sure they got replacements easily enough. And yes I agree with everyone that the History Episode was a bit disappointing and missed the actual story told in the song. As regards the hat situation I would go with the 82nd Airborne hat. You might get some beers bought for you 👍

[@TouchyReactions]

Thank you Ross

[@6th_Army]

I vote 82nd hat.

[@TouchyReactions]

Thanks

[@LothianTam]

If ya enjoy the album, then I'd say stormtropper might be another guid yin to give a watch/listen.

[@TouchyReactions]

I have heard that from lots of folks. I just need the Sabaton History to drop.

[@LothianTam]

Wonder whether they'll leave that one close to last, considering how it reflects on the portion of the first war. Either way, a guid wee yin to look forward to.

[@phurtig9881]

Make a hat with Sabaton and your channel

[@FamousGirlfriend]

You mean "Sataban"?

[@TouchyReactions]

Lol

[@Krokmaniak]

I hope there will be part 2 about king Albrecht because it was a little bit of a flop that this ommited despite being big part of the song

[@vvva15]

Well it is 82nd >ALL< the way. not sometimes 😄 so go for the 82nd one.

[@abyssus9304]

The history video for this song was actually rather disappointing, The song its self is about The Battle of the Yser, where the Belgium troops did Indeed blow a dam. King Alberta also was known as the "Knight King" as he had a habit of fighting on the frontlines with his troops against his commanders wishes.

[@TouchyReactions]

Like a boss. Thanks

[@Zabiru-]

iirc there is a Sabaton parody band called Sabadu which kind of works for the shirt ^^ No clue if you'd be able to use that though as someone possibly has that trademarked to publish their songs :/

[@jasonpade4949]

I love Mellatica

[@jasonpade4949]

I think you should wear the 82nd Airborne hat

[@jean-francoispirenne6518]

Correction: king Leopold II was the uncle of king Albert I, not his father. The Sabaton History is quite disappointing. The song is centered on the flooding of the banks of river Yser, ordered by king Albert I a.k.a. the Knight-King. In lieu, the lecture is focused on the battle of the Marne. This being said, the battle of the Marne is also worth a song as it was a legendary stunt: in order to make to the Marne in time, the French headquarters requisitioned all the cabs of Paris to carry the troops. This episode is known as "the taxis of the Marne".

[@twistedjaide4738]

My favorite one is dreadnought

[@6th_Army]

I'm surprised you got the name right. Last name's Nightingale. But as I'm very thin, I went to sneak that in. Thus Nighthingale. And the darkness part is just to filter away those who aren't worth my time. If they judge by an obviously fake name. I'm better off not knowing them.

[@TouchyReactions]

Nicely done Sir.

[@jasonpade4949]

Par is 40 years old

[@Krokmaniak]

Which hat? Why not all of them? Idea: For songs about America 82nd hat, for songs you haven't reacted yed Touchy reaction hat and rest Sabaton hat

[@celticrebel5229]

😎🤟😁

[@tonyalanentalo4400]

Why no sabaton to day

[@TouchyReactions]

I am getting closer to the end of my Sabaton list so I decided to only do one a week from now on.

[@Hockey-gn2tj]

Why is your channel called Touchy reacts? If I may ask

[@TouchyReactions]

It's a play on our family name.