| Musical Style: Heavy Metal | Produced By: Sonny Larsson & Bjorn Stigsson |
| Record Label: Viva | Country Of Origin: Sweden |
| Year Released: 1995 | Artist Website: |
| Tracks: 14 | Rating: 85% |
| Running Time: 54:19 |
Third XT album Extended Empire from 1995 coddles listeners with traditional metal guitars and high-end, classic tenor lead vocals. Former attributes to Bjorn Stigsson, whom gained initial renown for the four albums he recorded between 1983 and 1989 as part of Swedish melodic metal and hard rock act Leviticus. Latter attributes to Sonny Larsson, no less acclaimed from fronting the AOR of 1986 Motherlode debut The Sanctuary and five songs on Stigsson’s highly regarded 1989 solo album Together With Friends. With its name synonymous for Christ, XT formed subsequent to the 1990 disbanding of Leviticus and released the following year the pop based sounds to its self-titled debut and in 1993 the melodic hard rock of sophomore effort Taxfree.
As the heaviest project in which Stigsson has participated, Extended Empire underscores an emphatic rhythm guitar foundation but without forsaking a catchy riff and hooks inclining. I see the album appealing as a result to fans of traditional to melodic heavy metal along lines of Messiah Prophet, Barren Cross and Saint. When further factoring Larsson’s upper range lead vocals, Live To Die era Bride and Adorned Graves EP Dream I represent additional points of reference. For the same reason I see those into classic US power metal acts such as Sacred Warrior, Recon and early Jacobs Dream taking to the album. I am even going so far as to suggest followers of early Deliverance will relish the occasional Extended Empire chugging guitar precedence.
Opener “Five Minutes To Minute” represents one of the albums finest. A short keyboard solo gets things going and we are off, as walls of subduing guitar and emphatic timekeeping of former Leviticus drummer Kjell Andersson leverage the song its eminent six minutes. Verse sections find Larsson lowering his register to align with the burly scene and refrain exhibiting the near unlimited range to his uplifted delivery. Lyric snippet:
Thousands have been killed by earthquakes and heavy rain
The wars have cost more lives this year than ever before
I see the pain in their eyes
Don’t wanna kill anymore
Crying for help
Can somebody end this crazy war
Five minutes to midnight
Is this the end of the world as we see?
“Billy The Raver” stands out equally. Song launches at a near speed metal clip, charging in high-octane fashion (referencing the assertive double kick drum) as Stigsson literally buries the mix with layer upon layer of borderline thrash like rhythm guitar. His soloing is of equal torrid and heated form. The high-end vocal melodies gracing the charged refrain contrast with the despoiling allure.
A melodic heading reveals on “Kids On The Hill”. It begins its first minute to a portent linking of acoustic guitar and keyboards only to burst at once as force picks upon to a forward direction ambling ahead. Periodic backend organ hints of classic rock and the assembled vocal melodies an eighties Stryper like feel. Yet, time signatures back to an acoustic direction speak of an understated progressiveness.
“I’m Not Alone” is another slugger. Song slogs from the start to thrash inspired riffs, travailing to sluggish doom-like impetus as eerie keyboards make periodic appearance to reinforce the malevolent setting. Surprisingly, the instrumental run evens out for melodic harmonies and placid soloing. The XT penchant for offbeat sound effects reveals in what sounds like backward masking. Lyric snippet:
I hear a voice that is strong and clear
Cutting through the air into my ear
He said – I’ll take you home to where you belong
Follow me and I will make you strong
The doctor still tells me I’m in the danger zone
Gave me another shot and left me in the room
With a straight jacket on, but I’m not alone
“I Want Love” contrasts with its brightly flowing and expedited form. A commercial aspect reveals accordingly, melodies and harmonies deliver strong doses of the eighties, but also a heavier slant, pointing to manner in which guitar hits hard as anything here. This one might not be intricate as some Extended Empire cuts, but it is solid with its quirkily catchy aesthetics.
Powerhouse “The Battle” returns to heavier territory. Chanted ‘it’s a battle’ backing vocals get things going ahead of elephantine rhythm guitar, a subduing mid-paced demeanor prevailing as vocals range from swarthy and lower register (almost approaching the Gothic) and upper end reaching for the atmosphere (this is where the classic US power metal comparison factors). Tower bells that adorn the epic, choir like refrain would not sound out of place on a Theocracy album. Lyric snippet:
Come to me child
I will give you peace
Rest in my arms and dry my tears
It’s a battle between my mind and heart
I can feel my heart is bleeding
I don’t know why you tear me apart
You tell me to kneel before You
Come to me… set me free
I leave my life in your hands Jesus
Albums lengthiest ensues in the seven minute “On The Run”. It represents one of the groups most progressive, jarring with its razing mid-paced impetus as key boards make periodic appearance, but also reticent as motion occasionally waivers to the stilly done with delicate harmonies holding sway. It is also not one of the catchiest in a melodic sense but rather entices from a riff driven standpoint. With this in mind, added accessibility might have realized if the group had cut a minute from its length.
“XT-Land” is only song in which I skip. Yes, it expedites at near speed-based territory and exudes off the charts energy, but the overall execution borders on contrived. The fake audience track, for instance, impresses as overdone, while the mirthfully bounding refrain fails to do anything for me. Stigsson, nonetheless, tears it up on lead guitar.
“Can’t Live Without You” begins to Gregorian chanting prior to battering its breadth to hyper intensive guitar and repeated symphonic keyboards. It otherwise proves deliberate but burly, not forthright in an engaging sense but ensnaring all the same with its tumultuous allure. Larsson fittingly sings in a lower register. Lyric snippet:
Driving down the road of life
The mist disturbing my sight
I can’t see where I’m going to, but I know for sure
I’m coming back to You
I remember when we were together
Nothing could hold me down
You gave me the power
I’m longing for You
Initiated by a short drum solo, “Castles In The Sky” flows ahead to plundering rhythms as keyboards flutter between the left and right channel. A blithesome pop based allure but imbued with old school metal sensibilities helps makes this one of albums more unique tracks- a strategic joining of the melodic and focused heaviness. Stryper’s “Sing Along Song” comes to mind.
Bookended between short instrumentals “Airport” and “Midnight” is a cover to Leviticus classic “Deborah And Barak” (off The Strongest Power from 1985). XT imparts its signature weighty guitar authority to an already staggering track- a literal tsunami of riffs compel the song its distance as cavernous bass plays an equally conclusive role. Difference, however, is the melodic vocal focus as opposed to lower register gravel of Leviticus front man Hakan Andersson. Lyric snippet:
King’s came and they fought
The kings of Canaan fought, by the waters of Megiddo
But they carried off no silver, no, no plunder
From the heavens the star fought
From their courses they fought against Sisera
The river Kishon, swept them away
The ago old river, the river Kishon
The Deborah said, she said to Barak,
This is the day the Lord has given Sisera into your hands
Good news is Extended Empire does not represent the XT swan song effort in that Stigsson and Larsson reunited in 2017 to record the seventies classic rock of fourth album Saved By The Blood. Fifth Revived: Standing For Jesus Christ from 2019 found the duo re-recording a choice sampling of songs off the first three albums, with the generous selection from Extended Empire attesting to its quality: “The Battle”, “I Want Love” and “Can’t Live Without You”. Overall, if interested in a heavier side to Bjorn Stigsson – traditional, melodic and power metal with light thrash nuances - then look no further than Extended Empire. It would be a treat of in the future a label re-mastered and reissued it (along with the equally commendable Taxfree) with upgraded packaging.
Review by: Andrew Rockwell
Track Listing: “Warning” (:55), “Five Minutes To Midnight” (5:46), “Billy The Raver” (4:14), “Kids On The Hill” (5:41), “I’m Not Alone” (4:56), “I Want Love” (3:04), “The Battle” (4:35), “On The Run” (6:45), “XT-Land” (3:41), “Can’t Live Without You” (4:26), “Castles In The Sky” (4:12), “Airport” (:08), “Deborah And Barak” (4:28), “Midnight” (1:19)
Musicians
Sonny Larsson - Lead Vocals
Bjorn Stigsson - Guitars & Keyboards
Niklas Johnsson - Keyboards
Johan Stark - Bass
Kjell Andersson - Drums
