Well, I've got some good news and some bad news. The good news is: Motherlode was one of the best Christian metal bands in the world. I just told you the bad news: was. What Motherlode was, and is, is a secular rock band. Their former lead singer, Sonny Larsson, is a Christian and writes lyrics that reflect that fact clearly. Sonny was fired as a lead singer, because the other members didn't want Christian lyrics anymore. Well, praise God! That's not really bad news at all! I think blessings are in order for Sonny (Matt 5:10-12). Currently, Sonny is working on Bjorn Stigsson's solo album and fronting for Charizma. Sonny's beautiful voice is truly a blessing from the Lord. He can be heard singing Christian lyrics on Motherlode's last album, The Sanctuary, the upcoming album by Bjorn and some future release from Charizma. His voice has a strong low-end that lets him go places vocally that Joey Tempest or Klaus Meine can't go, yet also has a tender high end that punches red lights in the high range. His voice is golden, I tell ya. If you don't believe me, catch this: Yngwie Malmsteen offered him a job as lead vocalist in Rising Force. Asked why he turned down Yngwie, Sonny replied, "I knew very early that this offer didn't interest me. I don't like neither his lyrics nor his music. I feel that I want to work with Christian musicians." The Sanctuary album that this band from Orebro released is killer! It outsold any other Christian music in Sweden. It's reminiscent of some of the earliest Scorpions music stylistically, with roots in the blues. It's melodic metal, if you want a label. The album was produced by Kit Wolven, who earlier has worked with big names like David Bowie, Thin Lizzy and Uriah Heep. The other members of Motherlode, whom you could pray for, are: Tom Nilsson - electric and acoustic guitars/backing vocals; and Peter Rudstrom - bass. Johan Lindstrom played keyboards, as did Mark Stanway. Stanway plays keyboards for Magnum, who Motherlode has toured with. If you can't get ahold of The Sanctuary album, you won't be disappointed in the least when you hear Sonny fronting Charizma. If you want to write Motherlode, contact their manager @ Headline Productions, Attn: Dennis Karlsson, Karlslundsgatan 14 B, S-703 41, OREBRO Sweden.
Other coverage for this album
HM Magazine #81Reviewed by Doug Van PeltThis rare CD was originally released in Sweden way back in '86. It was an amazing release that immediately jumped to the top of the melodic metal pile, alongside bands such as Scorpions and TNT. Killer vocals by Sonny Larsson and super clean 'n fluid leads by guitarist Tom Nilsson made for a world-class release that shouldn't have stayed obscure. It was rather strange for this secular band to…