Translated from the original French
His name does not really sound French... Björn is Swedish, and well-informed white metallurgists know that he is none other than LEVITICUS's guitarist. This solo album springs up at the moment when LEVITICUS's line-up is finally stabilising. The title "Together With Friends" tells you what to expect... Björn gathered some mates, and together they shut themselves up in the studio. Björn, after three LPs, wanted to experiment with keyboards: for that, two Swedish penguins: Dan Fernström (I told you so... they are not French!!) and Danne Tibell (the ex-keyboard player of JERUSALEM). On drums and bass, it is the two Andersson brothers, both members of LEVITICUS. The result, on coming out of the studio, is very good. The album's originality is that it presents three vocalists: Tina Spangberg (on the slows "It's Alright" and "I'm Free"), Peo Pettersson (the producer of LEVITICUS's first three LPs) and Sonny Larsson (the new lead singer of LEVITICUS). Although very different, the two vocalists Peo and Sonny do breathtaking work together ("I'm Gonna Rock", "Come Together", "Majestic In power"). Peo seems to be influenced (among others) by Dio, while Sonny excels in sparkling vocals in the style of Michael Sweet's (STRYPER) but more high-perched...! The album is varied, while remaining in the hard FM / melodic heavy register. The guitar work is simple but full of feeling ("Way Of Living", "Loving My Woman", "Stand Up", "Come Together",...). The album is produced by Peo Petersson, who helped create the LEVITICUS sound. What stands out most on this album is the quality of LEVITICUS's new vocalist, Sonny Larsson (no wonder Yngwie Malmsteen had his eye on this white metaller...!). Which goes to show, together with mates, you can come up with some really not bad stuff!!
Other coverage for this album
Heaven's Metal #15Reviewed by Doug Van PeltAs Setting Fire to the Earth gave us a new Leviticus sound, so does this solo album by Bjorn Stigsson. On it, we get a chance to hear Sonny Larsson sing with Bjorn on guitar, Kjell on drums and Hakan Anderson, ex-Leviticus bassist, on bass. This is a prelude to future recordings from Leviticus, because Sonny Larsson has officially joined the band. This record is a unique one in that it features…Similar sounding releases
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1990ArsenalArmored Choir
1992CharizmaHeaven Can't Wait
1993Legend SevenBlind Faith
1987JerusalemDancing on the Head of the Serpent
1987LeviticusSetting Fire to the Earth
