| Musical Style: Melodic Metal / Hard Rock | Produced By: Christian Liljegren, Janne Stark & Joakim Bloohm |
| Record Label: Retroactive / Melodic Passion | Country Of Origin: Sweden |
| Year Released: 2026 | Artist Website: |
| Tracks: 10 | Rating: 85% |
| Running Time: 44:05 |
Think of Swedish trio Adler-Liljegren-Stigsson as an ‘all-star’ project with melodic metal and hard rock aptitude. The groups September of 2026 jointly released (via Retroactive Records & Melodic Passion Records) debut full length The Kingdom traces to the material guitarist Ken Adler recorded in the mid-nineties at the studio of late guitarist Björn Stigsson (Leviticus, XT). Seven songs were demoed, with Stigsson working out lyrics and vocalist Christian Liljegren (Narnia, Flames Of Fire), already acquainted with Adler from briefly working with him in Modest Attraction, adding his soulful mid-ranged to classic tenor vocals. Drums ended up programmed.
The demo sat in the vault until 2023 when Liljegren decided to complete the recording process with real drums and bass while adding additional guitar and re-recorded vocals. After gaining the approval of Adler and Stigsson, Liljegren reached out to Janne Stark and Peter ‘TrumPeter’ Swensson, whom completed the respective bass and drum parts, and breathed new life into the recordings in the process. Liljegren’s recording and touring commitments with Narnia and Flames Of Fire delayed re-recording his vocals until early 2026, at which point with three new songs, The Kingdom was completed and submitted to Joakim Bloohm for mastering.
As one might imagine, Adler-Liljegren-Stigsson takes a European approach to the melodic metal and hard rock segments. Hence, manner in which opening full-length vocal cut “The Kingdom” reminds of early Narnia from an emboldened celerity and symphonic keyboards allowing a neo-classical effect. Albums title track otherwise rollicks to accelerated hooks and Adler’s equally fleet soloing. Lyric snippet:
Let us rejoice the mighty King
Give Him all the glory
We’re longing for the wedding day
When we wear white dresses
Oh, we’re shining so bright and clear
Oh, we’re standing before the Lord
He’s the One
And He will always reign forever
“God’s Own People” retreats from the urged gate for a mid-paced albeit no less heavy hard rock resonance. A bluesy side to the song reveals from not just the accenting organ but also from how Liljegren lowers his register and lends some earthy gravel to his register. The layered ‘ahh’ backing vocals build upon the supreme melody to extend Stigsson’s acclaimed 1989 solo album Together With Friends comes to mind.
“I Call Your Name” is a reworked version to the song “Call Your Name” off the XT 1992 self-titled debut. It maintains the AOR ballad basis to the original, although upping heaviness with stauncher rhythm guitar while revising lyrics: the opening line ‘there was a time when I was blind’ changes to ‘there was a time when I was bound’. Likewise, refrain is revamped- instead of ‘I call your name, cause Your name is the key to be free’ it repeats three times ‘I call Your name’ ahead of ‘Cause Your name is the key to be free’. An additional minute appends to the song as a result. Lyric snippet:
There was a time when I was bound
To find t he way I looked around
But everyone had their own way
But God has the answer, His Son is the way
Your blood was given for us
You took my sins, You bore them away
And now I’m filled with the Holy Ghost
I cast out devils
Six minute “Freedom From The Night” incorporates a light progressiveness. It revitalized tempo and mettle back to melodic metal territory, introduced to industrial style keyboards that give way to the guitar catalyst to billow the remaining span. Yet, a time signature realizes at the halfway mark to a minute of calmly woven acoustic guitar that morphs to a vitalized instrumental run of erupting lead guitar. All the while steady as it gets hooks allow the song to rate with albums finest.
“My Very Best Friend” returns to AOR territory akin to “I Call Your Name”. Musically, it also proves solid with an equal joining of atmospheric moments highlighted by riveting keyboards and others in which robust guitar makes a stoutly moving statement. Vocals and guitar soloing align with the histrionic themes. Lyric snippet:
You are my best friend
My very best friend
You live inside and I belong to You
You are the helper and my teacher
And You remind me of all that Jesus says
I got the power and all Your love
I remember Your words
I got a gift from the Lord high above
You raise me up with glory and love
Back to heavier territory with melodic heavy metal masterpiece “Benefit Of Wisdom”. Song furrows to freight train like momentum, dominated by a bruising low end - referencing Stark’s rippling bass and Swensson’s undulating drums - and swarthy melody of a bellicose form. A contrasting angelic effect reveals in Stigssons’s immaculate keyboards. This one rates with “Freedom From The Night” as my choice tracks.
“Feel So Good” is just plain fun to listen with its animated pop revealing. It sets a borderline speed like tempo, reveling in festive refuse to depart hooks alongside another revitalized low end and all the cavorting initiative you could ask. What we have is an essential deep cut help make The Kingdom that much more a solid release. Lyric snippet:
You lift me up, up from the ground
You’re my Saviour the one for me
You touched my heart
Day after day
Oh, I got Your love
You took all my sins and set me free
Lord, You make me feel so good
Lord, You are the one for me
Such is also the case with six-minute praise and worship piece “High Praise”, which throws a curveball by taking an instrumental approach to the worship rock form. It works to perfection, revealing a melodic underpinning as opposed to eighties shred based as Stigsson’s exquisite keyboards allow a classical bent to support the wondrous harmonies to command. Adler steps in for occasional outbursts of splintering guitar driven feedback. Upshot is a song instilling of the joyous, inspired and inviting.
CD version closes to a bonus cover to Resurrection Band’s “Waves” (off Awaiting Your Reply from 1978). I lack specific details regarding the song due to the fact it does not receive credit in the albums liner notes, so I am uncertain if it was included as part of The Kingdom sessions or recorded for a different project. That said it stays true to the original with Liljegren trading off with an unnamed female vocalists (who puts in a very solid performance BTW) and plenty of hard rock guitar interplay. Despite somewhat muffled production, I find it a solid addition in deserve of repeat play. Perhaps Liljegren needs to organize a European Rez Band tribute album…
I wish to offer thanks to Christian Liljegren and Retroactive/Melodic Passion Records for allowing The Kingdom to see release despite sitting in the vault for several decades. The ‘all-star’ feel to the project cannot be denied, manifested in the consistent track listing, strong performance and impressive production. If into melodic metal and hard rock with a European flair and not just Narnia but also the more commercial side to Stigsson’s projects XT and Leviticus not to mention those from Liljegren in Audiovision, Flames Of Fire and The Waymaker, The Kingdom is highly recommended.
Review by Andrew Rockwell
Track Listing: “Heart’s Prayer” (1:07), “The Kingdom” (5:35), “God’s Own People” (4:29), “I Call Your Name” (3:53), “Freedom From The Night” (5:45), “My Very Best Friend” (4:33), “Benefit Of Wisdom” (5:39), “Feel So Good” (3:42), “High Praise” (6:07), “Waves” (3:12)
Musicians
Christian Liljegren - Lead Vocals
Björn Stigsson - Guitars
Ken Adler - Guitars
Janne Stark - Bass
Peter Swensson - Drums
