| Musical Style: Melodic Hard Rock | Produced By: Björn Stigsson & Sonny Larsson |
| Record Label: Frontline / Retroactive/Melodic Passion | Country Of Origin: Sweden |
| Year Released: 1992 / 2026 | Artist Website: |
| Tracks: 13 | Rating: 80% |
| Running Time: 37:58 |
Introduced in the early nineties from a partnership between guitarist and keyboardist Björn Stigsson and vocalist Sonny Larsson, XT remains a good choice in the melodic hard rock and AOR segments. The group’s Frontline Records 1992 self-titled debut is a good indicator of such, affirming a strong emphasis on pop hooks and leading keyboards but also an equally abject guitar inclining. If I were to invite comparison, XT brings to mind the commercial hard rock of 1989 fourth album of Stigsson’s main band Leviticus Knights Of Heaven but without the overriding production polish. Likewise, XT hints of the melodic metal to third Leviticus album Setting Fire To The Earth from 1987 not to mention the joining of metal and hard rock that is Stigsson’s acclaimed 1989 solo offering Together With Friends.
More specifically XT musically foreshadows the Viva Records 1993 XT sophomore effort Taxfree, an ‘underrated at times melodic hard rock and others AOR tinged album’ (quoting the 85% Angelic Warlord review), although skirts the joining of ‘melodic and power metal with light thrash influences’ (also 85% review) that is 1995 third album Extended Empire. A more accurate point of reference might be the melodic blues influenced hard rock that defines the 1986 debut full-length The Sanctuary of Larsson’s mainstream band Motherlode. Regardless, XT equates to a work I see appealing to those into Jerusalem, Guardian, Stryper, Idle Cure, Petra and Novella.
Despite being out of print the better part the past three decades, XT was reissued jointly by Retroactive Records and Melodic Passion Records on CD (September of 2026 release) and vinyl (October 2026) under the new title MCMXCII using Roman numerals for 1992 to honor the year it appeared. Re-mastering attributes to Rob Colwell and layout to Scott Waters (No Life Til Metal Graphics). CD version (500 copies) includes an 8-page booklet with lyrics and rare photographs, while Blue Vinyl (200 copies) features a 12” X 12” lyric insert.
Offbeat key board instrumental “Toccata” gets the album going ahead of opening vocal cut “Looking For Love”, a catchy hard rock anthem allowing Larsson’s near unlimited ranged classic tenor voice to shine alongside all the AOR nuanced keyboards and commercial hooks you could ask. Nineties era Petra with a touch of Stryper’s In God We Trust is the feel at hand.
“The Rock Is My Life” jump starts at a forthright tempo, elevating heaviness as Stigsson’s rhythm guitar elbows to the forefront but maintaining the commercial vestiges found in the ‘ooh-ooh-whoa’ backing vocals and robust doses of unmistakable hooks. Guitar and dazzling keyboards trade instrumentally. When factoring guitar melody and structuring, Extended Empire cut “I Want Love” comes to mind. Lyric snippet:
You gave me a brand new heart
I can hear You calling me
You set me free and live so close to me
Your voice inside is leading me right
And now I know You're taking care of me
Jesus, took my broken heart
You threw my sins away
Jesus, the rock in my life
You gave me a brand new heart
Customary but superlative ballad “All Your Love” weaves bulk of its distance to keyboards and gentle guitar, only to breakout at moments notice for a wondrous refrain in which bulky guitar firmly establishes. The choir-like backing vocals bring to mind Stryper and lend to the songs radio friendly appeal. When Stigsson is at the top of his game, few compose a better song.
“Open Your Heart” is lone song to come into question, and it is not due to musical quality (melodic is instigative) but rather direction in that it is entirely keyboard driven. Yes, I understand that back in the day groups experimented with keyboards, and I do not intend to be unfair, but am I out of line to suggest song might improve if imbued with a crisp guitar line or solo? Lyric snippet:
Many are bound to the evil around
They’re living in darkness
Looking for love, the meaning of life
A place to rest
They’re looking to drugs, money and sex
Maybe Buddha or Krishna
But God has the answer
His Son is the way and the rest for your soul
“I’m In Heaven” rebounds to a hard rock veering, but in a rough and tumble sense in that nary a keyboard can be found, referencing manner in which borderline metal guitars play a forthcoming role. A commercial side to the song, however, reveals in the ever-present XT burnished vocal melodies. Stigsson does not disappoint with his brief but explosive soloing.
Ensuing second instrumental “Theme Of Handel” represents one minute of classical keyboards. It gives way to second bare bones hard rocker “Everything Is Possible”, which follows a musical pattern similar to “I’m In Heaven” but in an added high energy sense. Mindset again touches upon metal - akin to early Leviticus - and hooks a mirthful form (enticing in radio friendly sense). Lyric snippet:
Calvary was the end of death
The devil has no power over us
He has to leave, in the name of Christ
Yeah, you got to know, he also knows that:
When the Lord is calling you
Don’t be afraid, ‘cause everything is possible
He’s go the power
All you have to do is open your heart
With narration to start from John 14:16 (‘Jesus is the Way, the Truth & the Life’), “Call Your Name” derives upon an AOR ballad basis. Keyboards play a lucid role, gracing the lightsome verse sections and eloquent refrain exuding of the articulate. A reworked version to the song under the revised title “I Call Your Name” appears on the September of 2026 debut album, The Kingdom, from Adler-Liljegren-Stigsson (also Retroactive/Melodic Passion).
“Down The Street” contrasts as a metal meets hard rocker I also see delighting fans of early Leviticus. It sets a furious tone, romping its three minutes to hyperactive rhythms and nervy hooks with the mid-point ‘whoah, whoah, ahhha, ahhha’ backing vocals further emboldening the feverish lure. Another point of reference is whirlwind rocker “Stand Up” from Together With Friends.
Ballad “White Knight” touches upon an ennobled and regal flair pointing to the medieval. Piano pristinely covers the gallant verse sections, with muscle escalating as sturdy guitar muscles in to shoulder the magnanimous epic tinged refrain. Composed by Larsson, “White Knight” represents one of this reviewer’s choice tracks both musically and lyrically:
We got the power to fight them back
Not with killing, but with love
We got the power from above
Through the White Knight, who is the light
Keep His words deep in your heart
Love and we will never be apart
Love makes the world go around
A better force can never be found
Likewise, “Standin’ For Jesus Christ”, a hard rock anthem outpouring to equal parts searing rhythm guitar and entrancing keyboards to make a militant if not spiritual warfare battle statement. Hooks are of the highest order - the ‘standin’ for Jesus Christ, we got His power inside’ refrain refuses any urge to depart - as is the compelling groove, the sportive low-end play an equally definitive role. Lyric snippet:
We are winners
Our hearts burning with love
And tell all the sinners that the kingdom of God is here
They marched with fire inside and nothing can stop us now
Because we are the army of God
We carry on, we carry on
Standing' for Jesus Christ
we have his power within
We believe in the word of God
and everything He says is true
Album closes to minute-and-half classical keyboards and angelic choir driven instrumental “Voices In Heaven”.
If a fan of melodic hard rock and AOR meshed with the occasional metal inclining, XT self-titled debut meets expectation. Songwriting is up to standard, as is Larsson’s immaculate vocals and Stigsson’s wonderful guitar work. Yes, I might favor metal entrenched third album Extended Empire and heavier albeit in a similar melodic rock direction second Taxfree, keeping in mind XT is not without its share of choice musical moments to make it a worthy addition to your collection. My advice is to make the Retroactive Records reissue with upgraded packaging and re-mastering (for whatever reason I passed on the album back in the day and am unable to offer a re-mastering comparison) a priority purchase if into any of the projects to feature Stigsson and Larsson.
Review by Andrew Rockwell
Track Listing: “Toccata” (:37), “Looking For Love” (2:40), “The Rock Is My Life” (3:43), “All Your Love” (4:04), “Open Your Heart” (4:10), “I’m In Heaven” (2:58), “Theme Of Handel” (1:03), “Everything Is Possible” (3:16), “Call Your Name” (2:58), “Down The Street” (3:14), “White Knight” (3:41), “Standin’ For Jesus Christ” (4:07), “Voices In Heaven” (1:25)
Musicians
Sonny Larsson - Lead Vocals
Björn Stigsson - Guitars & Keyboards
Additional Musicians
Hakan Andersson - Bass
P-O Larsson - Bass
Michael Ulfsgard - Drums
