Sabaton and Eluveitie gave metal farewell to NYC’s Playstation Theater

After nearly fifteen years, New York City’s Playstation Theater is coming to a close on December 31st, 2019, after a run of shows from the Disco Biscuits. Formerly known as The Nokia Theater (2005-2010) and The Best Buy Theater (2010-2015), this iconic venue in the heart of Times Square is closing its doors for good. It’s not easy for us to say goodbye to this location as there were many memorable shows. Sabaton had their first headlining tour back in 2017, and they brought Battle Beast with them for their first-ever U.S tour. Other artists, including Nightwish, Overkill, Kamelot, King Diamond, Within Temptation, Cannibal Corpse, Meshuggah, Avantasia, Demons & Wizards, Behemoth, Dimmu Borgir, Killswitch Engage, Sevendust, Children of Bodom, Cradle of Filth, and many more have performed at this great location.

As we continue to reflect on 2019 and wrap up the entire decade, we waited until the end to bid a farewell salute to this venue. However, this location’s doors have been closed for us metalheads since November 2nd when Sabaton with Hammerfall was the official last metal show. And we couldn’t be happier with this choice. The venue turned into a Sabaton battlezone as flags were held high, and bartenders wore Sabaton shirts for the final occasion. Sabaton was there to support their new album, The Great War, just as Hammerfall was promoting their latest, Dominion. There’s always something remarkable about seeing Sabaton live as they give it their all, and Hammerfall was the perfect supporting act for the group. It was an evening filled with Swedish metal, cargo pants, energy, and a bittersweet way to have one last memory at the Playstation Theater.

Just a few weeks prior, Eluveitie stepped foot in the same theater on October 14th with Korpiklaani. This was the group’s first time in North America since 2015, and a lot has changed. The band not only introduced their new album Ategnatos, but they also welcomed their latest lineup featuring new members Matteo Sisti, Michalina Malisz, Alain Ackermann, Jonas Wolf, and Fabienne Erni. Fans embraced the change. You can also say, Korpiklaani gave the beer-finale of the venue as they once again brought beer and bare feet to the stage.

Whether you like power, folk, or heavy metal, these last two shows will go down in history known as the final two metal performances at this venue.

There’s no update on what The Playstation Theater will turn into next. Regardless, for many of us, there will be at least a dozen shows we will never forget from this location.

Sabaton Setlist – 11/02 @ Playstation Theater

Ghost Division

Great War

Resist and Bite

Fields of Verdun

The Attack of the Dead Men

The Red Baron

The Price of a Mile

Bismarck

Dominium Maris Baltici

The Lion From the North

Carolus Rex