Narnia is a Melodic Metal band from Sweden that was formed by Christian Liljegren and C.J. Grimmark back in 1993. Christian & C.J. both met for the first time in Jönköping which is a town south of Sweden. However, at that time, they were both in their own bands with Christian fronting 'Modest Attraction' and C.J. playing lead guitar for a band called 'Sentinel'. Christian & C.J. stayed in contact and over a 3-year period they produced two different albums together with Modest Attraction. In 1996, after the release of Modest attraction's second album 'Divine Luxury', Christian contacted C.J. to see if he would be interested in working together on a bombastic, melodic, neoclassical, Hard Rock, and Heavy Metal dream project. C.J. Grimmark was all in and as the partnership grew, the dream began to take shape. There was just one problem, the group still needed to choose a moniker for their new band. After having seen the animated movie about the The Witch & The Lion, Christian figured 'Narnia' would be a great name for their band. During the next few months, Modest Attraction guitarist-Stephan Mohlin wasn't able to tour with the band on their German tour so guitarist-C.J. Grimmark was contacted to see if he could fill in as lead guitarist which he happily accepted. It wasn't long before Grimmark's stepped into position as lead guitarist because Stephan quit the band all together. In the months to follow, while working with Modest Attraction, Christian & C.J. began work on material for Narnia. In 1996 Christian's vision was realized as they stepped into Topz Recording Studio to record their debut album. They finished 'The Awakening' album in the Spring of 1997 and signed with the label Pony Canyon Inc. 'The Awakening' was released on July 18, 1997, and several thousand copies were sold on that very day. This garnered the band the attention they needed to move forward as a Christian Metal band. Little did they know that Narnia would later go down in history as a major player in the Christian Power Metal scene. With nine full-length albums now to their credit, Narnia has proven to be one of the longest running bands in the Christian Metal realm.
2023
In 2023 Narnia released their 9th full-length studio album titled 'Ghost Town' on their indie label - Narnia Songs. With over twenty-seven years of experience, Narnia releases what is quite arguably their strongest performance to date. We're talking bombastic over-the-top arrangements, top-level vocals, crushing guitars, relentless bass lines, fist poundin' percussion, and piano work that would put a smile on even Jonathan Cains face!
Throughout the years, Narnia has been known for their European Power Metal offerings. However, with their latest release, the band throws their fans a big curve ball when it comes to their genre placement. 'Ghost Town' draws from a wide array of Metal subgenres and flawlessly infuses them all together on one album. Some of the different genres found throughout this project includes Heavy Metal, Progressive Metal, Neo-Classical Metal, and Power Metal - all tied together through some modern-day elements.
Ghost Town was produced in house by guitarist-C.J. Grimmark and was recorded at Nordic Sound Lab. The recording was mixed by Viktor Stenquist at Stenquist Music Production. The album was mastered by Thomas Piec Johansson at both 'The Panic Room' and 'Lighthouse Studios'. The albums stunning cover art was done by Jani Stefanovic. 'Ghost Town' will be available on all digital platforms, CD, and vinyl in collaboration with Sound Pollution Distribution.
It's worth noting that track-9 "Out of the Silence" picks up where Narnia's 2019 "The War That Tore The Land" left off as the album's only ballad. In addition, Saviour Machine’s vocalist-Eric Clayton is featured on the track where he is found reading the Lord’s prayer with his deep baritone voice.
Throughout the years, Narnia has been known for their European Power Metal offerings. However, with their latest release, the band throws their fans a big curve ball when it comes to their genre placement. 'Ghost Town' draws from a wide array of Metal subgenres and flawlessly infuses them all together on one album. Some of the different genres found throughout this project includes Heavy Metal, Progressive Metal, Neo-Classical Metal, and Power Metal - all tied together through some modern-day elements.
Ghost Town was produced in house by guitarist-C.J. Grimmark and was recorded at Nordic Sound Lab. The recording was mixed by Viktor Stenquist at Stenquist Music Production. The album was mastered by Thomas Piec Johansson at both 'The Panic Room' and 'Lighthouse Studios'. The albums stunning cover art was done by Jani Stefanovic. 'Ghost Town' will be available on all digital platforms, CD, and vinyl in collaboration with Sound Pollution Distribution.
It's worth noting that track-9 "Out of the Silence" picks up where Narnia's 2019 "The War That Tore The Land" left off as the album's only ballad. In addition, Saviour Machine’s vocalist-Eric Clayton is featured on the track where he is found reading the Lord’s prayer with his deep baritone voice.
The track-list for 'Ghost Town' includes 1.Rebel 2.Thief 3.Hold On 4.Glory Daze 5.Descension 6.Ghost Town
7.Alive 8.Modern Day Pharisees 9.Out of the Silence (Feat. Eric Clayton) 10.Wake Up Call.
7.Alive 8.Modern Day Pharisees 9.Out of the Silence (Feat. Eric Clayton) 10.Wake Up Call.
Frontman-Christian Liljegren takes things to a new level on this latest project. Christian does a great job of varying his vocals from track to track. Without doubt this is one of Christian's strongest performances with him bringing everything to the table for Narnia fans.
C.J. Grimmark manages the guitar section for Narnia and this just might be his finest hour! From beginning to end C.J. shows his prowess without letting up, as he shreds and takes things to a whole new level. If you think you've heard it all and that you can't be surprised anymore by this man's guitar work, then are you in for a big awakening on this latest release!
With this album, the band has taken their lyrics to the next level. The lyrics here reflect a
deeper more mature writing process all the while holding onto some traditionally familiar writing styles
as well. The album's lyrics are evangelical as one can see in the following excerpts:
deeper more mature writing process all the while holding onto some traditionally familiar writing styles
as well. The album's lyrics are evangelical as one can see in the following excerpts:
LYRICS
(All lyrics written by Christian Liljegren)
"Rebel"
If we seek His face
Humbling ourselves
If we pray
Let His will be done
Into the light
Out of the night
We will go
We have forsaken what
He gave, but I know
Turn around and He'll hear us
From heaven
"Hold On"
Heart to heart
Soul to soul
Living in Eden
Was our role
With hearts too hard
We sold our souls
The Son was bleeding
To bring us home
Hold on
Be strong
Hold on to the cross
Hold on
Carry on
Hold on to the cross
"Ghost Town"
We are His people
And we lay down our crowns
Time to go
We're waving goodbye
We are the people
Living in this
Ghost town
Let us go
From the ruins
We Cry!
"Alive"
Keep looking for the way
it wants to be found
Keep knocking on the door
And it will open wide
There's only
One salvation
Jesus is The Way
To Heaven for us
"Wake Up Call"
You wouldn't trade
Your faith for anything
You had no higher pleasure
You were on fire
You left everything
For a greater treasure
You went to the ends of the world
Your mind was set on others
You went to the ends of the world
To bring the message out
Can you hear the wake up call?
Hear the calling
Lord, have mercy on us all
(All lyrics written by Christian Liljegren)
"Rebel"
If we seek His face
Humbling ourselves
If we pray
Let His will be done
Into the light
Out of the night
We will go
We have forsaken what
He gave, but I know
Turn around and He'll hear us
From heaven
"Hold On"
Heart to heart
Soul to soul
Living in Eden
Was our role
With hearts too hard
We sold our souls
The Son was bleeding
To bring us home
Hold on
Be strong
Hold on to the cross
Hold on
Carry on
Hold on to the cross
"Ghost Town"
We are His people
And we lay down our crowns
Time to go
We're waving goodbye
We are the people
Living in this
Ghost town
Let us go
From the ruins
We Cry!
"Alive"
Keep looking for the way
it wants to be found
Keep knocking on the door
And it will open wide
There's only
One salvation
Jesus is The Way
To Heaven for us
"Wake Up Call"
You wouldn't trade
Your faith for anything
You had no higher pleasure
You were on fire
You left everything
For a greater treasure
You went to the ends of the world
Your mind was set on others
You went to the ends of the world
To bring the message out
Can you hear the wake up call?
Hear the calling
Lord, have mercy on us all
(See Site Info for Sword Scale meaning)
Fans of Classic & Modern-day Metal are going to love what Narnia has delivered up with their 2023 'Ghost Town' release. If you are looking to add some Melodic Metal to your collection then check out what Narnia has offered up with their 2023 album 'Ghost Town'. Help support Narnia and Christian Metal music by picking up your copy of Ghost Town today!
Purchases can be made at any of the following links:
Musicians:
Christian Liljegren - Lead Vocals
C.J. Grimmark - Guitars
Jonatan Samuelsson - Bass
Martin Härenstam - Keyboards
Andreas Johansson - Drums
Guest Musicians:
Eric Clayton(Saviour Machine) - The Lord's prayer on track-9 "Out of the Silence"
Christian Liljegren - Lead Vocals
C.J. Grimmark - Guitars
Jonatan Samuelsson - Bass
Martin Härenstam - Keyboards
Andreas Johansson - Drums
Guest Musicians:
Eric Clayton(Saviour Machine) - The Lord's prayer on track-9 "Out of the Silence"
