Jerusalem is a Swedish Hard Rock band that saw its conception back in 1975 by founding member Ulf Christiansson. After deciding to form the band, over the next year, Ulf began adding members to the group. Jerusalem's original line-up was comprised of vocalist/guitarist-Ulf Christiansson, bassist-Anders Mossberg, keyboardist-Dan Tibell, and drummer-Klas Anderhell. The band started out just doing weekend gigs where they used a very old transit bus that had a bad radiator leak to transport them and their equipment to their shows. Jerusalem was the first Christian Hard Rock band to come out of Europe. At the time, Hard Rock was considered the devil's music and there were few congregations that would welcome the band to play at their churches. With frontman-Ulf Christiansson writing Christ centered lyrics for the band and preaching between songs, many of their concerts turned into revivals. “One night, an old lady came to us after a concert and wanted to beg our forgiveness. She said that she had turned terribly mad when we started playing. She wanted to grab her purse and leave. But then she saw Jesus walking from the stage down towards her. He sat down in front of her, turned around and said: Those are my guys. Tears were streaming down her eyes when she told us.” As time moved on so did people's controversy against the band and people began to accept their method of ministering through the medium of Hard Rock music. Ulf: “I had told God and the guys that we won’t knock on anyone’s door but wait for a record company to call”. It wasn't long before one came knocking and it was a Christian Swedish label called Prim Records. Jerusalem inked a deal with the label and in 1978 the band released their debut full-length self-titled album. Prim Records wasn't very optimistic about how successful they thought the record would be but the album was an instant hit and in just a few months sold over 30,000 copies. The record's success allowed them to tour both in Sweden and throughout Scandinavia allowing the band to develope a much larger fan base and reach many more with the message of Jesus Christ.
After their debut release, Jerusalem entered the studios began working on material for a follow-up album.
In 1980 Jerusalem released their sophomore full-length album titled 'Volume 2' on Prim Records. The record was made in two different versions, both a Swedish & an English version. With the release of 'Volume 2', Jerusalem's schedule went from part-time to full-time with the band playing all over Germany, France, England, Belgium and Scandinavia. During this time, some Americans took a copy of the record back to the states and gave it to Glen Kaiser (Resurrection Band) who then put it into the hands of Pat Boone the owner of Lamb and Lion Records. Jerusalem's album 'Volume 2' was then released in the USA garnering the band no little success for their second album.
After their debut release, Jerusalem entered the studios began working on material for a follow-up album.
In 1980 Jerusalem released their sophomore full-length album titled 'Volume 2' on Prim Records. The record was made in two different versions, both a Swedish & an English version. With the release of 'Volume 2', Jerusalem's schedule went from part-time to full-time with the band playing all over Germany, France, England, Belgium and Scandinavia. During this time, some Americans took a copy of the record back to the states and gave it to Glen Kaiser (Resurrection Band) who then put it into the hands of Pat Boone the owner of Lamb and Lion Records. Jerusalem's album 'Volume 2' was then released in the USA garnering the band no little success for their second album.
After the release of their sophomore album, Jerusalem went on to produce a number of recordings. Over the past 4 decades, Jerusalem is credited with the release of 10 full-length studio albums including 1978 'Jerusalem', 1980 'Volume 2', 1981 'Krigsman', 1983 'Vi Kan Inte Stoppas', 1986 'Kom Loss!', 1987 'Dancing On The Head Of The Serpent', 1994 'Prophet', 1996 'Volym Tre', 1997 'Volüm Fyra', 2010 'She'.
In addition to their full-length albums, Jerusalem also has a number of EP releases including 1982 EP 'It's Mad', 1982 EP 'Nord Norge 82', 1983 EP 'Vi Kan Inte Stoppas', 1987 EP 'Dancing On The Head Of The Serpent', 1994 EP 'The Waiting Zone', 1994 EP 'Tomorrow'.
In addition to their full-length albums, Jerusalem also has a number of EP releases including 1982 EP 'It's Mad', 1982 EP 'Nord Norge 82', 1983 EP 'Vi Kan Inte Stoppas', 1987 EP 'Dancing On The Head Of The Serpent', 1994 EP 'The Waiting Zone', 1994 EP 'Tomorrow'.
In 1994 Jerusalem released their 7th full-length studio album simply titled 'Prophet' on Viva Records. Listening to Jerusalem's 'Prophet' the arrangements & vocals bring to mind a number of bands like U2, Darkhorse Hero, W.A.S.P., and Meatloaf. 'Prophet' was a solid offering by the band receiving more rave reviews than any of their other recordings making it one of Jerusalem's most successful albums.
There are a number of tracks that stand out on this 1994 release including track-1 "City On Fire", track-2 "Risen", track-3 "The Waiting Zone", track-4 "Umbrella", track-7 "Likes Them", track-8 'Truth', track-10 'Tomorrow', track-12 "Soldier".
The line-up for 'Prophet' was comprised of lead vocalist/guitarist-Ulf Christiansson, bassist-Peter Carlsohn,
keyboardist-Reidar Paulsen, and drummer-Michael Ulvsgärd.
The full track-list for 'Prophet' includes 1.City On Fire 2.Risen 3.The Waiting Zone 4.Umbrella 5.Be There With You 6.On The Road 7.Likes Them 8.Truth 9.Face In The Crowd 10.Tomorrow 11.Berlin 38 (Next Year In Jerusalem) 12.Soldier.
There are a number of tracks that stand out on this 1994 release including track-1 "City On Fire", track-2 "Risen", track-3 "The Waiting Zone", track-4 "Umbrella", track-7 "Likes Them", track-8 'Truth', track-10 'Tomorrow', track-12 "Soldier".
The line-up for 'Prophet' was comprised of lead vocalist/guitarist-Ulf Christiansson, bassist-Peter Carlsohn,
keyboardist-Reidar Paulsen, and drummer-Michael Ulvsgärd.
The full track-list for 'Prophet' includes 1.City On Fire 2.Risen 3.The Waiting Zone 4.Umbrella 5.Be There With You 6.On The Road 7.Likes Them 8.Truth 9.Face In The Crowd 10.Tomorrow 11.Berlin 38 (Next Year In Jerusalem) 12.Soldier.
Vocalist-Ulf Christiansson takes the listener on an 80's era musical journey throughout this 1994 release. There are times when his vocals sound similar to Blackie Lawless(W.A.S.P.) or Andrew Gazaway(Darkhorse Hero). Then there are a few tracks where his vocals take on a similar sound to that of Bono(U2).
Ulf Christiansson handles all guitars on 'Prophet' drawing inspiration from guitarist-David "The Edge" Evans(U2).
lyrics are sung from the heart and are Christ Centered
with an evangelical emphasis as one can see in the following excerpts:
with an evangelical emphasis as one can see in the following excerpts:
"City On Fire"
Reach out your hand and touch it now
Just one more step for you to go
This fire started at His cross
His Spirit will burn inside of us
Set, set, set me on fire
Set me on fire
I must be on fire
Oh, on fire
Got to be on fire
On fire
Set, set, set me on fire
On fire, on fire, on fire
"Risen"
And, when I was thirteen, I started to play in different bands
We tried to be the Beatles, and I didn't do so hot in school
And I didn't care too much about anything
I started to use drugs
The devil, he worked hard on me
But one day there was Jesus, knocking on my door
Asking
Do you want to be a singer in my band?
He's no longer in his grave; he is risen from the dead
He's no longer in his grave; Jesus is risen from the dead
"Umbrella"
Don't you know it's already done
Don't you know it's already safe
Don't you know that you can't do more
All you need is to just accept the fact that it's all...
Live under the shadow
Live under the shadow of his grace
Under his umbrella
Under his umbrella night and day, whoa
Live under the shadow
Live under the shadow of his grace
Under his umbrella
Under his umbrella night and day, whoa, yeah, oh...
"Likes Them"
Lost in the marketplace of all religions
Told to pick and choose what suits and feels the best
Given all the substitutes, but no love and compassion
Left in a video world, given over to imagination
I like them, I like them
I like them, I like them
A lonely generation with no one to talk to
Raised to be suspicious against love
Who can give them what they are looking for
None but the man from Nazareth
"Tomorrow"
Heavy burdens, wounded feet
Driven by love, that's why
One last time through the streets of Jerusalem
Up to the hill where you gave your life
For tomorrow, tomorrow you'll be back again from the place where you went
Tomorrow, tomorrow you'll be back from death to life
Tomorrow, tomorrow
Reach out your hand and touch it now
Just one more step for you to go
This fire started at His cross
His Spirit will burn inside of us
Set, set, set me on fire
Set me on fire
I must be on fire
Oh, on fire
Got to be on fire
On fire
Set, set, set me on fire
On fire, on fire, on fire
"Risen"
And, when I was thirteen, I started to play in different bands
We tried to be the Beatles, and I didn't do so hot in school
And I didn't care too much about anything
I started to use drugs
The devil, he worked hard on me
But one day there was Jesus, knocking on my door
Asking
Do you want to be a singer in my band?
He's no longer in his grave; he is risen from the dead
He's no longer in his grave; Jesus is risen from the dead
"Umbrella"
Don't you know it's already done
Don't you know it's already safe
Don't you know that you can't do more
All you need is to just accept the fact that it's all...
Live under the shadow
Live under the shadow of his grace
Under his umbrella
Under his umbrella night and day, whoa
Live under the shadow
Live under the shadow of his grace
Under his umbrella
Under his umbrella night and day, whoa, yeah, oh...
"Likes Them"
Lost in the marketplace of all religions
Told to pick and choose what suits and feels the best
Given all the substitutes, but no love and compassion
Left in a video world, given over to imagination
I like them, I like them
I like them, I like them
A lonely generation with no one to talk to
Raised to be suspicious against love
Who can give them what they are looking for
None but the man from Nazareth
"Tomorrow"
Heavy burdens, wounded feet
Driven by love, that's why
One last time through the streets of Jerusalem
Up to the hill where you gave your life
For tomorrow, tomorrow you'll be back again from the place where you went
Tomorrow, tomorrow you'll be back from death to life
Tomorrow, tomorrow
Over the years, Jerusalem has delivered up some gems to be discovered by listeners and lovers of 80's/90's Hard Rock music. If you are looking for some solid music from those eras to add to your collection, then 'Prophet' is a good starting place. Help support the band and Christian Rock music by picking up your copy of 'Prophet' today!
Purchases can be made at any of the following links:
Current Musicians:
Ulf Christiansson - Lead Vocals, Guitars
Anders Mossberg - Bass
CJ Grimmark - Guitars, Keys
Philip Christiansson - Guitars, Vocals
Mick Nordström - Drums
Ulf Christiansson - Lead Vocals, Guitars
Anders Mossberg - Bass
CJ Grimmark - Guitars, Keys
Philip Christiansson - Guitars, Vocals
Mick Nordström - Drums