Musical Style: Melodic Power Metal	Produced By: CJ Grimmark
Record Label: Independent	Country Of Origin: Sweden
Year Released: 2023	Artist Website: Narnia
Tracks: 10	Rating: 85%
Running Time: 47:03

In the world of melodic power metal, Sweden’s Narnia ranks among the best, thanks to its catchy songwriting, vibrant vocals and superb musicianship.  Narnia remains the project of vocalist Christian Liljegren and guitarist Carl Johan Grimmark, whom founded the group ahead of its 1997 debut full length Awakening and represent the mainstays in the lineup performing on seven of the eight subsequent studio albums.  With exception of 2009’s Course Of A Generation, in which he was supplanted by Germán Pascual, Liljegren has contributed his heartfelt, mid-ranged vocals to see him capable of soaring for a high end falsetto or reach down for some lower register fortitude.  Likewise, Grimmark brings a recognizable mode of playing, rooted in a neo-classical aesthetic but adept at cutting loose for hammer-on driven soloing or descend into leads of a bluesy if not expansive nature. 

Independent March of 2023 ninth Narnia studio album Ghost Town finds Liljegren and Grimmark at the top of their respective games along with holdovers from 2019 eighth album From Darkness To Light, keyboardist Martin Harenstam, bassist Jonatan Samuelsson and drummer Andreas Johansson.  Whereas From Darkness To Light saw Narnia step outside the box and explore progressive territory, Ghost Town reveals the group backing from many albeit not all the progressive aspects in taking a more straightforward approach akin to 2016 seventh release Narnia.  Straightforward, however, means no less able in that on the whole Ghost Town captures a good measure of the aptitude that made the 95% Angelic Warlord reviewed and 2019 album of the year From Darkness To Light such a special release.

Hence, standout opening cut and first single “Rebel”, a hook driven melodic metal cut to see Liljegren exhibit his full range, transitioning between raspy, low-end gravel and a smoother if not more even flair.  Song otherwise upholds a mirthful, medieval gallup pointing to the signature Narnia neo-classical sensibilities as Harenstam’s crystalline keyboards adorn the backdrop.  Lyric snippet:

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

All of our wicked ways, all our misdeeds
Out of repentance comes healing and peace
Turn around and He’ll hear us from heaven

“Thief” brings its share of enticing variances.  It begins with verse sections home to spoken word delivery, a particular I do not recall from Narnia in the past, but when song acquires its catchy chorus it breaks out in expansive fashion to further bolster the exalted scene.  Instrumentally, Grimmark lends the type of enticing leads of which only he is capable.

Albums second single “Hold On” is one of its top tracks.  Scintillating keyboards get things going ahead of guitars powering in, speaking of classy melodic metal with its victorious demeanor but also revealing undeniable hooks as refrain exhorts the listener to ‘hold on, carry on. Hold on to the cross.’  If the goal of Narnia is to draw upon the strengths that made 1998 sophomore effort Long Live The King such a solid release it has done so admirably. Lyric snippet:

Since the beginning
Dawn of time
Man and Creator
Live intertwined

With hearts too hard
We sold our souls
The Son was bleeding
To bring us home

“Glory Daze” stands out as another choice cut.  What we have is one of albums heaviest and most aggressive, elevated in terms of the forward tempo but also engaging in light of the enticing riffs bringing to mind From Darkness To Light track “The War That Tore The Land”.  Grimmark again tears it up on lead guitar.  If anything, Ghost Town finds him literally at the top of his game and bestowing some of his best soloing to date.

“Descension” represents albums first excursion into progressive territory, separating as a seven minute semi ballad along similar lines as “Take Me Home” off 2006 fifth album Enter The Gate.  Keyboards to start soon join Samuelsson’s commanding bass for the subsequent verse sections, with rhythm guitar cutting in ahead of tempo elevating for the majestic refrain touching upon the second coming:

Ashes to ashes, dust into dust
Nations and generations, they rise
As the lightning strikes from the East
Coming of the Son, see the only One

Kansas-like piano opens the expansive instrumental section carried by a lengthy and quite fitting run of bluesy lead guitar.  The double kick drum bestowed by Johansson over the final minute proves every bit complementary.

Albums title track is one of its shortest (just under four minutes) and guitar driven.  It is also lone Ghost Town cut in which I failed to grow into- perhaps it is repetition, but missing is the type of hook to draw me in with repeat play.  That said I appreciate how Liljegren reached down to lend some muscle and backbone to his delivery, while Harenstam’s keyboards provide a contrasting soothing effect.  Lyric snippet:

We are His people
And we lay down our crowns
Time to go
We’re waving goodbye

Superficial knowledge is
Only fools gold
Every word
Every pursuit of meaning

Every scar tells a story

“Alive” slows tempo to the mid-paced with a keyboard solo intro ensued by bass leading through the initial verse sections until joined by heavy-set rhythm guitar.  When impetus accelerates, it is for a curtly woven (and quite engaging) refrain of a forthright nature.  This is another cut hearkening back to Long Live The King with a near perfect blend of guitars and keyboards highlighting albums pristine production in the process.

“Modern Day Pharisees” impresses as another showstopper.  It crunches from the get go, revealing guitars in a forward position to align with the pointed disposition but also backend piano at the halfway mark upholding a more accessible side to the song.  Impetus slows to a standstill for another run of blues based lead guitar.  Lyric snippet:

Blinded by pride and power they appear
Determined to separate white from black
Well-armed with stones and phrases
Aiming for preys caught in the act

I learned my lesson, brother
Hate sin but love the sinner
I learned this lesson, sister
To know the difference

Ghost Town closes to a pair of songs in “Out Of The Silence” and “Wake Up Call” combining for what I identify with as a two song ten minute suite.  Former is albums most outside the box with a swirling mix of keyboard and Hammond B3 wafting ahead of guest vocal appearance of Eric Clayton (Saviour Machine), whom recites the Lord’s Prayer.  Laid back lead guitar and choral vocals carry the final minute.  Note that this is the second time Clayton has appeared on a Narnia album, referencing his work on 14 minute epic “The Great Fall Of Man” from The Great Fall.

Latter ends Ghost Town in strong fashion.  Albums second lengthiest at six minutes, “Wake up Call” ups tempo with a falsetto to start over the keyed up rhythm section to propel its span but does not forsake accessibility as a decisive melody speaks of the grand and stately scene.  Narnia unveils its musical licks and chops for the protracted mid-point instrumental run to see piano ensued by rhythm guitar and brash soloing.  Lyric snippet:

Sleepwalker dreaming
Lost in time and space
You had a higher calling
A bleeding man,
Arms open to embrace
And tears are falling

Can you hear the wake-up call?
Lord, have mercy on us all

As previously noted, Ghost Town captures a good measure of the strengths that made From Darkness To Light such a solid release.  Grimmark remains at the top of his game, as does Harenstam with his spot on keyboard work and Liljegren with another consistent performance.  Songwriting is strong as ever in highlighting the group’s penchant for composing melodic power metal cuts with catchy hooks.  Lone potential constructive aspect to album, however, reveals in the process a lack of songwriting variance.  It would have been nice to hear, for instance, a power ballad (akin to “Revolution Of Mother Earth” off 2001 third album Desert Land), a speed based piece (not unlike “Judgement Day” off The Great Fall) or instrumental (three of the first four Narnia albums include guitar shred instrumentals).  Still, if a fan of Narnia or melodic metal with a European flair, you can do no wrong with Ghost Town.

Review by Andrew Rockwell

Track Listing: “Rebel” (4:06), “Thief” (5:06), “Hold On” (4:05), “Glory Daze” (4:27), “Descension” (7:11), “Ghost Town” (3:43), “Alive” (4:02), “Modern Day Pharisees” (4:11), “Out Of The Silence” (4:18), “Wake Up Call” (5:52)

Musicians
Christian Liljegren - Lead Vocals
Carl Johan Grimmark - Guitars
Martin Harenstan - Keyboards
Jonatan Samuelsson - Bass
Andreas Johansson - Drums
  
Guest Musicians
Eric Clayton - Lead Vocals