Swedish metallers SABATON have confirmed the departure of guitarists Oskar Montelius and Rikard Sundén, drummer Daniel Mulback and keyboardist Daniel Mÿhr. Vocalist Joakim Bróden and bassist Pär Sundström will continue the band with new members which will be announced soon.

A statement from Sabaton reads as follows: "Starting a band at the age of 18 is simple, keeping it intact for 12 years is much harder, and finally we have come to the crossroad where we will go separate ways. Pär Sundström and Joakim Brodén will continue to battle on stage, carrying the banner of Sabaton to further victories. We will always have an eternal bond to each other, created by more than 12 years of friendship and touring, and wish each other long and prosperous lives with families, various projects and musical careers. In the end, all six of us will end up in our own glorious future…"

The contents of the exclusive mail order edition of Sabaton upcoming album, Carolus Rex, via Nuclear Blast Records (here) has been announced and features a 48-page book, the English and Swedish versions of the album, including three bonus tracks. Limited to 1000 copies the artwork and tracklisting is as follows:

English version:

'Dominium Maris Baltici'

'The Lion From the North'

'Gott Mit Uns' (featuring Peter Tägtgren on vocals)

'A Lifetime of War'

'1 6 4 8'

'The Carolean’s Prayer'

'Carolus Rex'

'Killing Ground'

'Poltava'

'Long Live the King'

'Ruina Imperii'

Bonus tracks:

'Twilight Of The Thundergod' (featuring Peter Tägtgren on vocals)

'In The Army Now'

'Feuer Frei' (RAMMSTEIN cover)

Swedish version:

'Dominium Maris Baltici'

'Lejonet från Norden'

'Gott Mit Uns' (featuring Peter Tägtgren on vocals)

'En Livstid i Krig'

'1 6 4 8'

'Karolinens bon'

'Carolus Rex'

'Ett Slag Färgat Rött'

'Poltava'

'Konungens Likfärd'

'Ruina Imperii'

Carolus Rex will also be available for purchase on single Swedish CD (Sweden only) and single English CD plus a limited edition which features a double CD with both language versions. The double CD will also feature a different cover artwork. The album is produced by Peter Tägtgren (HYPOCRISY, PAIN).

Carolus Rex tracklistings.

English version:

'Dominium Maris Baltici'

'The Lion From the North'

'Gott Mit Uns' (featuring Peter Tägtgren on vocals)

'A Lifetime of War'

'1 6 4 8'

'The Carolean’s Prayer'

'Carolus Rex'

'Killing Ground'

'Poltava'

'Long Live the King'

'Ruina Imperii'

Swedish version:

'Dominium Maris Baltici'

'Lejonet från Norden'

'Gott Mit Uns' (featuring Peter Tägtgren on vocals)

'En Livstid i Krig'

'1 6 4 8'

'Karolinens bon'

'Carolus Rex'

'Ett Slag Färgat Rött'

'Poltava'

'Konungens Likfärd'

'Ruina Imperii'

Sabaton's Swedish Empire Tour 2012 dates include:

April

10 - Tampa, FL - Brass Mug
12 - Houston, TX - Scout Bar
13 - Dallas, TX - Trees
15 - San Antonio, TX - Backstage Live
17 - Lubbock, TX - Wreckers
18 - Denver, CO - Bluebird Theater
19 - Kansas City, MO - The Beaumont Club
20 - Waterloo, IA - Spicoli's Grill and the Reverb Rock
22 - St Louis , MO - The Firebird
23 - Milwaukee, WI - Rave
25 - Charlotte, NC - The Casbah
27 - Albany, NY - Bogie's
28 - Buffalo, NY - Broadway Joe's
29 - Cleveland, OH - Peabody's
30 - Pittsburgh, PA - Altar Bar

May

2 - Poughkeepsie, NY - The Loft
3 - Philadelphia, PA - The Trocadero
4 - New York City, NY - The Gramercy Theatre
5 - Worcester, MA - The Palladium
7 - Montreal, QC - Petit Campus
8 - Quebec City, QC - Imperial de Quebec
10 - Toronto, ON - Wreck Room
11 - London, ON - Music Hall
12 - Columbus, OH - Al Rosa Villa
13 - Detroit, MI - Blondie's
15 - St Paul, MN - Station 4
16 - Chicago, IL - Reggie Rock Club
18 - Louisville, KY - Vernon Club
19 - Richmond, VA - Kingdom
20 - Baltimore, MD - Soundstage
21 - West Springfield, VA - Jaxx
23 - Hollywood, CA - Key Club (CD release show)
25 - Mexico City, MX - Circo Volador