Swedish pioneers of Christian heavy metal. Released their first EP in 1982, and the first full length album the year after. These first 2 releases were in Swedish language, but soon they recorded the debut 'Jag Skall Segra' in English too, calling it 'I Shall Conquer'. These guys were hailed as the next big thing, and magazines like Kerrang put them on their album of the year overview. This never happened though, and Leviticus broke up after releasing their 4th full-length album, in 1989. 2003 saw the band reforming for Bobfest,. They have now started recording a new album!

I SHALL CONQUER (1984, 2000) M8

Back in the beginning of the 80's, this was actually a welcome treasure. I thought Leviticus was very cool. These guys, together with Jerusalem, have to be the first Christian hardrock bands I discovered. My brother bought the Swedish version of this album, and I was hooked. Nowadays though, I can no longer see the charm in this album. The sound is awful, and the vocals sound so strained I almost can't endure with it. I keep this mostly for it's affection value. This re-release by M8 also contains 3 of the 4 songs off Leviticus' first EP. These were songs I had not previously heard, but I was not missing out on anything. Wonder why M8 never put on the title song from that EP? The reissue is said to be limited to 1000 copies.

Killer tracks: Psalm 23

THE STRONGEST POWER (1985/1986, 2000) M8

This was a breakthrough for the Swedes. Even the English metal magazine Kerrang! praised this album. But today I think the album sounds pretty outdated. The 2 first songs are good metal-tunes, but almost none of the other tracks hold water at all anymore. The production will have to take the biggest blame for it, as it is way below average, even for the standard back when it was new. I still like this album better than their debut though. And on this reissue all the tracks from their first EP are included.

Killer tracks: The Winner, Deborah And Barak, King Of Kings

SETTING FIRE TO THE EARTH (1987, 1989) PURE METAL/ROYAL MUSIC

This turned out to be the hardest Leviticus album to come by on CD. And it's no wonder, as it is really their best effort to date. I guess the new vocalist, Terry H., is who makes the difference. He's a much better singer than Håkan (and later on, Peo). The production is also much better than on their previous albums. And it isn't as polished as was to be the case with their next offering. If you want to get into what this band is all about, I suggest you try your hardest to get a hold of 'Setting Fire To The Earth'. Happy hunting! 

As the case is with Björn Stigsson's solo-album, the date of this Pure Metal release states 1989. But the album was originally released in 1987. I have no idea why Pure Metal put 1989 on those albums.

Killer tracks: Flames Of Fire, Elijah On Carmel, The Suffering Servant, Love Is Love

KNIGHTS OF HEAVEN (1989) ROYAL MUSIC

Leviticus was making a name for themselves, and suddenly the Elefante brothers showed interest in the band. The result is a keyboard infected soft-metal effort, that mostly makes me cringe. These guys could have been a fine melodic heavy metal band, but now they became a 13-in-a-dosen pop-metal outfit. Their sound lays more in the vain of the popular Europe. And it is not a wonder, knowing what these producer-brothers did with the band Guardian. The softer the sound, the more radios will play it, seems to be the motive. But all it really does, is to take away the bands integrity! Listen to a song like "Feel So Good", with it's OOOEE, OOEEE chorus! Can anyone tell me where the mass appeal is here!?! YUK! I wish these Swedish guys had stayed a raw metal band instead. Because the good songs on this album, would then have been VERY good.

Killer tracks: Born Again, Messiah, Over The Hills

THE BEST OF LEVITICUS (1994) VIVA

The Winner Over The Hills Lovin' My Woman The Suffering Servant I Got Power Look Around Oh Lord Stand Up Flames Of Fire All Is Calm Born Again I Love You A New Day Deborah & Barak On The Rock Psalm 23

This was actually the first Leviticus release I bought. I had listened to my brothers tapes and vinyl for years, and thought it was about time to upgrade to CD. The compilation does not offer anything new, but I hold on to it because Leviticus CD's are now very hard to come by. So at least now I have some of the songs on CD. It even contains stuff from Björn Stigsson's solo-album!

LIVE AT BOBFEST ...AFTER THIRTEEN YEARS OF SILENCE... (2003) BTS

After 13 years of silence, one of the oldest Christian metal bands sound off again. 'Live at Bobfest...' is the first CD proof of their return. Now we get to hear what the band sound like in a live environment. And I think they have given us a good, solid statement. All of the classic albums are represented, and all the hits are present. The sound of the recording is also good, but the talking between some of the songs is a bit unnecessary, especially since it's all done in Swedish. As a long time fan of Leviticus I enjoy this effort quite a bit. I also think this can be a good tool to getting to know the bands music. "Flames Of Fire", "Messiah" and "The Suffering Servants" are my favorites.

Leviticus also appear on:  

V/A - 'Heavy Righteous Metal'

V/A - 'Metal Mission - The Sampler'

Ez Gomér guest appearances:

Liberty N' Justice - 'Soundtrack Of A Soul'

Liberty N' Justice - 'Independence Day'

Related artists:

Björn Stigsson, XT, Motherlode