Swedish neo-classical metal band from Jönköping, Sweden. Christian Liljegren (now Rivel) and Carljohan Grimmark first met back in 1993, and talked about doing' a melodic hardrock/metal project. It wasn't until 1996, after Carljohan had joined Christian's band, Modest Attraction, that things really started to shape up. Narnia was born, and their debut album, entitled 'Awakening' was released in Japan in 1987, and in the rest of the world in 1988. The name is of course taken from the popular book, written by C.S.Lewis.

AWAKENING (1998) NUCLEAR BLAST

I was quite surprised when I found out about this album. Christian metal was almost gone during the mid 90's, and there have never been that many Christian bands in the neo-classical heavy metal genre either. Them and suddenly Nuclear Blast released this. Narnia consisted of only 2 members at this time. Christian Liljegren had sung with Modest Attraction before, but the guitar-virtuoso, Carl Johan Grimmark, was a relatively unknown page in metal history. Heavily influenced by fellow Swede Yngwie Malmsteen, this axeman is a shredder of noticeable character. The album contains some awesome playing, and even better, some really cool tunes. All in all it is not a huge classic, but a good debut, with promise of better things to come.

Killer tracks: Break The Chains, No More Shadows From The Past, Heavenly Love

  LONG LIVE THE KING (1999) NUCLEAR BLAST

After the disappointment with 'Desert Land', I put of buying this album for the longest time. But after reading a lot of good things about it, I started to hunt for it again. And for once, I was not disappointed, although having great expectations. This is by far the best Narnia album. All the songs are good. It's the most catchy album they have recorded, and it didn't take long before I was singing along to most of the choruses. I don't find Carl Johan's work to be so strained here either. He shows that he can play, and that he doesn't have to over-do it. If you like melodic heavy metal, with anthem like songs, pick this one up!

Killer tracks: I like all of them equally.

  DESERT LAND (2001) NUCLEAR BLAST

'Desert Land' is Narnia's 3rd album. They are now a band with 5 members. I obtained this CD through a trade (thanks, Scott), and was hoping for another killer record. I had read so many good things about this one, and many fans hold this as their favorite. Maybe my expectations were a little high, because I really don't think this is such a great album. It constantly borders to boredom, and none of the tracks stick out. All the genre clichés are present, and no innovative stuff is heard anywhere. Carl Johan can still play with the best of them, but to me it sounds like he's trying to play like the best of them. 

After some more spins, I liked this album a little better. Most of the material are still very anonymous, but I've at least found some tracks to put on the killer tracks list. Also discovered that after a 10 minute silence after the last track, there appeared some weird instrumental noises, in the background of a child crying!?!

Killer tracks: Inner Sanctum, The Witch & The Lion, Walking The Wire

THE GREAT FALL (2003) NUCLEAR BLAST

The Swedes are taking their music down a different path on this album. It's not leaps and bounds away from their earlier work, but it is still a lot more progressive in nature than any of its predecessors. And I think this was a wise move. Narnia suits this style, and it lifts them to a higher level. The album is a concept album. But I have not sat down to read what the story, or theme, is all about. Carl Johan's playing is also absolutely awesome here. He doesn't overplay, but keeps everything in balance, showing how good a player he really is. The only negative remark I have must be Christian (now with Rivel as his last name). His voice sounds a bit impotent at times. He lacks power, in my opinion. Yet he doesn't ruin the good album 'The Great Fall' has become. I mean, the epic title track alone is worth it! So why don't you too invest some time and money on this fine progressive metal album?

Killer tracks: No Time To Lose, Innocent Blood, The Great Fall Of Man

AT SHORT NOTICE... LIVE IN GERMANY (2006) MCM

Narnia is almost more famous for their live concerts than they are for their albums here in Scandinavia. Well, that might be stretching it a bit far, but they do have a reputation as being one heck of a live band. It is therefore very fitting that they finally got around to record their first live album too. And 'At Short Notice...' does indeed give you a good idea of how great this band is live. Many of the songs get a lift from their respective studio versions. The very core of playing metal is doing it in front of a hungry headbanging crowd, and it is there Narnia delivers the best. This is a career-spanning, raw live recording, and I doubt that any overdubbing has been done afterwards. So some mistakes here and there will be present. But that makes it even better, in my opinion. 'At Short Notice...' was first released as a DVD, but the band have remastered and re-edited those recordings for this CD release.

ENTER THE GATE (2006) MCM/MASSACRE

Having a site like this can sometimes be quite the hassle. After reading through the write-ups for the other Narnia discs I own, I am a little confused. My memory is not in sync with what I've written about all the other CD's here! Oh well, the confusion might continue now. Despite of me liking the progressive path the band took on the last CD, I still love the return of the melodic power metal presented on 'Enter The Gate'. In fact, this is truly the bands best effort to date! I guess having 4 of the 5 members play with Rob Rock did rub off to their main band too. Simply put, this record shows a band as hungry as ever. Their passion for bringing the message of Truth to the metal masses shows through in every way; the lyrics (the boldest they have ever delivered), the songwriting (stronger songs, a more consistent and balanced track list), the production (and mix for that matter) and the playing (the band sounds tight, and there is no denying how good these guys really are!). I like how all of the songs fit into a mold for melodic power metal, but at the same time they all have their own signature. Just listen to the aggressive ending on "Another World" or the epic "The Man From Nazareth". Narnia will end up pretty high on my top 20 list for 2006! The Japanese version of the album contains a bonus track called "Hymn To The North".

Killer tracks: People Of The Blood Red Cross, Another World, Enter The Gate, This Is My Life

DECADE OF CONFESSION (2007) MCM/MASSACRE (2CD)

Narnia is a band I've followed since their inception. They've had their ups and downs, and now it's time to look back upon the first decade of the bands history. And on this best-of album, spread throughout 2 CD's, you get a good overview of what the band has been up to during these 10 years. Going chronologically backwards, one can always argue with the list of songs that made these CD's. 'Long Live The King' is arguably the bands best effort, and is blessed with 7 songs here. But I would have used just as many tunes from the awesome 'Enter The Gate' if I had my way. One of the cool things about this compilation is the inclusion of the 2 Japanese bonus tracks. I always hate missing out on songs I know are out there, but I have no intention of buying expensive Japanese versions of CD's just to hear that 1 odd song. But now I get them nonetheless. I also get to have the bands contribution to the Uriah Heep tribute disc. But what made me even more excited was the cover of Jerusalem's "In His Majesty's Service"! Jerusalem never recorded this song in the studio themselves, so I was eager to hear a heavier version done by Narnia. Unfortunately the band seems to have rushed this recording, and the mix is really bad, having the bass level ruining most of it. And lastly, the dance remix of "Show All The World" is totally unnecessary! But as a whole, this is a great look into the world of Narnia. Also worth mentioning is the packed booklet with lots of pictures, and a year-by-year story of the band history.

Carl Johan Grimmark guest appearances:

Sanctifica - 'Negative B'

Rob Rock - 'Eyes Of Eternity'

Divinefire - 'Glory Thy Name'

Divinefire - 'Hero'

Divinefire - 'Into A New Dimension'

Audiovision - 'The Calling'

Andreas Olsson guest appearances:

Veni Domine - 'Tongues'

Linus Kåse guest appearances:

Audiovision - 'The Calling'

Related artists:

Divinefire, Modest Attraction, Wisdom Call, Harmony, Saviour Machine, Audiovision, Rob Rock, Grimmark