Bjorn Stigsson prays a lot for direction for each album he does. For this one, the Lord gave him the song "Over The Hills", which captures the theme for the entire album. It's about the knights from heaven who spread the news all over the world about the love of God.
The love of God expresses itself in songs like "Strong Love"; "Born Again"; and "Isn't It Love". "Strong Love" talks about "the change taking place in me...(Jesus) returning to breathe the breath of life in me". It's got some cool organ sounds behind the mix. It's real hook-laden and has big Def-Leppard style choruses.
"Born Again" emphasizes that love is only found one way. It has lots of the classic Leviticus power/major chords. The chorus pops into a repititive anthem of "Born again." There's a warning that tells the unbeliever, "Don't hang around and demand a lot of signs."
"The World Goes 'Round" has some more edifying lyrics: "The enemy wants you to fear/ he'll cut you down and bring you to tears...Jesus, He'll open the door for you/ Jesus has broke down the walls of fear."
"Oh Lord" is a pretty--but not mesmerizing like "Suffering Servant"--ballad that is a love song to God. "Oh Lord, I want You to know, that I love you so."
"Feels So Good" is, in my opinion, the best cut on the album. It's a fast-paced, sassy, bluesy barn-burner. It sounds like it's a race between Kjell Anderson's drumming and Bjorn's rhythm guitar playing. Check out these lyrics and see if any other type of music would fit: "Oooh weee! I'm so excited/ oooweee! I feel so good!" I mean, really! It's a delightful song that ends much too quick, while still repeating in your brain.
"Messiah" melds the passionate pouting vocals of Peo with worshipful lyrics. "Messiah, crucified without a crime/ Messiah, the Ruler 'til the end of time."
The only real drawback I hear on this album is the overbearing John and Dino Elefante imprint on all the background vocals. It makes most of the album sound uncannily like recent Petra.
Headslammers are gonna face a similar shock to the surprise of Bloodgood's Rock In A Hard Place sound, due to the commercial direction Leviticus is taking. This is one step farther in that direction than Bjorn's solo album, Together With Friends.
Bjorn plays some exceptional, melodic leads...not a whole lot of flash, but he still kicks up a little fret dust.
"Over The Hills" has a great hook, capturing much of the passion evident on Setting Fire To The Earth.
"For Once In My Life" is a subdued ballad, which is suitable for Christian Adult Contemporary radio airplay. Leviticus is definitely expanding their audience with tunes like this.
"Love On Fire" closes the album with a godly love song. "Don't you know that you're the girl I love/ you're the only one/ A gift from God from up above...you turn me upside down."
This is not a metal album. Def Leppard, Angelica, TNT and Petra fans will eat it up. Peo's European accent makes for a classy sound and Bjorn shows yet again that he knows how to write a good song. Peo showed his songwriting skills off as well.