Flames of Fire is a Power Metal band from the 3 different northern-Europe neighboring countries Sweden, Norway, and Finland. Flames of Fire was formed back in 2021 by Swedish vocalist-Christian Liljegren(Narnia, Divinefire, Golden Resurrection, The Waymaker) & Swedish guitarist-Mats-Åke Andersson(Zaragon). What many do not know is that Liljegren & Andersson's partnership originally started back in 1987 when they both met at a burger joint called O'Briens. At the time, Liljegren was 16 years old and fronting a band called Venture while Andersson was 21 and playing lead guitars for a group called Zaragon. The friendship that began at a burger diner so long ago has stood the test of time and has come into fruition time and time again for these two Swedes.
After joining forces, It wasn't long before Christian & Andersson brought on Finnish guitarist/keyboardist /drummer/producer-Jani Stefanovic which shouldn't come as a surprise as Jani has previously worked along side Christian in his bands Divinefire and The Waymaker. After bringing on Jani, Christian then suggested Stephen Carlson(Brotthogg, Tales, Melodic Passion) who promptly came on board from Norway to be an additional guitarist for the band. Lastly, in order to round out the FOF line-up, Christian & Andersson contacted Swedish bassist-Per Schelander(House of Shakira, Royal Hunt, Melodic Passion) who promptly joined the group completing the Flames of Fire roster.
After joining forces, It wasn't long before Christian & Andersson brought on Finnish guitarist/keyboardist /drummer/producer-Jani Stefanovic which shouldn't come as a surprise as Jani has previously worked along side Christian in his bands Divinefire and The Waymaker. After bringing on Jani, Christian then suggested Stephen Carlson(Brotthogg, Tales, Melodic Passion) who promptly came on board from Norway to be an additional guitarist for the band. Lastly, in order to round out the FOF line-up, Christian & Andersson contacted Swedish bassist-Per Schelander(House of Shakira, Royal Hunt, Melodic Passion) who promptly joined the group completing the Flames of Fire roster.
Christian Liljegren took the idea for the band's moniker from biblical text as found in Psalm 104:1-4 "1.Praise the Lord, my soul. Lord my God, you are very great; you are clothed with splendor and majesty. 2.The Lord wraps himself in light as with a garment; he stretches out the heavens like a tent 3.and lays the beams of his upper chambers on their waters. He makes the clouds his chariot and rides on the wings of the wind. 4.He makes winds his messengers, flames of fire his servants."
In 2021 this newly formed group of seasoned veterans stepped into their own studios in Sweden, Norway, and Finland to begin work on new material for a debut album.
In 2022 Flames of Fire released their debut self-titled studio album on Melodic Passion Records. Warriors raise your swords high and let out a shout cause this is the release that Liljegren fans have been waiting for! The band has produced an album filled with passion and energy. 'Flames of Fire' features high-end vocals from Liljegren, stellar guitar play from Andersson, Stefanovic, & Carlson along with terminator bass lines from Schelander, and poundin' drum lines from Jani Stefanovic. This debut release was produced by Jani Stefanovic along with the band members of Flames of Fire. The recording was mastered by CJ Grimmark at Lighthouse Mastering - Music and Media production. With band's members all living in 3 different countries, the musicians all recorded their parts in their own studios and then sent them to Jani who had the responsibility of putting it all together in his own studio called 'Dreamdecipher Studios' in Finland.
The track-list for 'Flames of Fire' includes 1.New Dawn(Instrumental Intro) 2.Gloria 3.Flames of Fire 4.Madness 5.I AM 6.Time to Live 7.Solution 8.Soldiers of the King 9.Ending Theme(Instrumental Outro).
The track-list for 'Flames of Fire' includes 1.New Dawn(Instrumental Intro) 2.Gloria 3.Flames of Fire 4.Madness 5.I AM 6.Time to Live 7.Solution 8.Soldiers of the King 9.Ending Theme(Instrumental Outro).
It's been over 25 years since Liljegren stepped onto the Metal scene as frontman & founder of the band Narnia. The question at hand is: After so many years in the industry, does Christian still have the chops as a Metal vocalist and can he still reach those high Michael Sweet(Stryper) like screams? Well, with just one listen of Liljegren's latest vocal work and one will quickly discover that the answer is a resounding YES!! Without a doubt! Liljegren's performance here might just be the finest hour for this seasoned artist/vocalist....
One might ask: What could possibly be better than two guitarists? Well, Flames of Fire features not two but three different guitarists helping to push this 2022 album over-the-top! Mats-Åke Andersson, Jani Stefanovic, and Stephen Carlson make up the strings section for the band. The overall style of these three guitarists takes on more of the traditional European melodic Power Metal sound and will have fans hitting the repeat button because it's just that good! One thing that stands out about the guitar work on a few different tracks is how the fret work alludes to somewhat of a European Folk sound within the guitar play which only adds to the creativity & level of skill found on this debut release.
Per Schelander is a seasoned bassist having played in a number of bands including House of Shakira, Royal Hunt, Astrakhan, and Christian Liljegren(Melodic Passion). On this album, Schelander drops some heavy bass lines to help bring this recording up to speed.
Jani Stefanovic is also a talented songwriter and
co-wrote the songs on the album alongside Christian Liljegren. The lyrics
are thought provoking and Christ centered as one can see in the following excerpts:
co-wrote the songs on the album alongside Christian Liljegren. The lyrics
are thought provoking and Christ centered as one can see in the following excerpts:
"Madness"
One way out of madness
Leaving a world of sadness
On the cross we see our Hero
Made it possible from zero
[Verse 2]
Here we are
Looking for thе future
See the star
Shines for mankind
Whеre is your heart?
When fear is striking harder
Reach out your hand
Listen to the Father
"I Am"
I am waiting
Are you waiting?
We are waiting
For the King to come
Let Your kingdom come
I am, I am, I am
Waiting for the King
I am, I am, I am
Makes me want to sing
I am, I am, I am
Waiting for the King
I am, I am, I am
Makes me want to sing
"Time to Live"
Time to live
Time to live before you die
Don't forget to live my friends
Now is the time to live
Many years later
We're still going strong
Friendships forever
Saved by His grace
We belong to the King
Now and forever
"Solution"
We have been blind
For a long long time
False prophets share the bitter tears
Use your inner eyes
The Holy Spirit will show the way
Will show the way
Times running out for mankind now
Navigation is out of control
Only the Son of man can save your soul
Only the Savior
The master of illusion
Made you feel confusion
Get away!
I belong to God
In Your arms
You'll comfort me
You have set me free
Through the cross
The final solution
"Soldiers of the King"
We're looking for answers
So much confusion and chaos around
So many voices
Telling us here is the truth
I read in my bible
God's holy word will
show me the way
Here is the answer
Jesus the Door
One way out of madness
Leaving a world of sadness
On the cross we see our Hero
Made it possible from zero
[Verse 2]
Here we are
Looking for thе future
See the star
Shines for mankind
Whеre is your heart?
When fear is striking harder
Reach out your hand
Listen to the Father
"I Am"
I am waiting
Are you waiting?
We are waiting
For the King to come
Let Your kingdom come
I am, I am, I am
Waiting for the King
I am, I am, I am
Makes me want to sing
I am, I am, I am
Waiting for the King
I am, I am, I am
Makes me want to sing
"Time to Live"
Time to live
Time to live before you die
Don't forget to live my friends
Now is the time to live
Many years later
We're still going strong
Friendships forever
Saved by His grace
We belong to the King
Now and forever
"Solution"
We have been blind
For a long long time
False prophets share the bitter tears
Use your inner eyes
The Holy Spirit will show the way
Will show the way
Times running out for mankind now
Navigation is out of control
Only the Son of man can save your soul
Only the Savior
The master of illusion
Made you feel confusion
Get away!
I belong to God
In Your arms
You'll comfort me
You have set me free
Through the cross
The final solution
"Soldiers of the King"
We're looking for answers
So much confusion and chaos around
So many voices
Telling us here is the truth
I read in my bible
God's holy word will
show me the way
Here is the answer
Jesus the Door
Flames of Fire is for fans of Narnia, Iron Maiden, Stryper, and Crimson Glory. If you are looking for some solid Power Metal to add to your collection in the veins of Golden Resurrection or Narnia then you are going to love Flames of Fire. Help support the band & Christian Metal music by picking up your copy today of the band's debut 'Flames of Fire'.
Musicians:
Christian Liljegren - Vocals
Mats-Åke Andersson - Guitars, composer
Stephen Carlson - Guitars
Per Schelander - Bass
Jani Stefanovic - Guitars, keyboards, & Drums
Christian Liljegren - Vocals
Mats-Åke Andersson - Guitars, composer
Stephen Carlson - Guitars
Per Schelander - Bass
Jani Stefanovic - Guitars, keyboards, & Drums