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    HM Magazine #81/Motherlode
    Motherlode — The Sanctuary cover

    Motherlode

    The Sanctuary

    (1986)

    Reviewed by Doug Van Pelt

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    Label Naxos Sweden ABHM Magazine #81January 2000
    hard rockheavy metalmelodic metal

    This 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 have a believer like Sonny in the band, writing lyrics to the majority of songs. You have one song ("Moving Emotion," written by an outsider named Hellström) reminiscing about "...makin' love...," while another ("He's Coming Back," written by Larsson) declares, "He's coming back with power and glory / He will return with fire." Another surprising riddle is the Hellström-penned tune, "Father of Lies," where Babylon is called the vulgar word for a female dog, yet tells the Truth concerning the devil, and affirms Jesus - "Jesus Christ of Nazareth, take my soul and take me home / Jesus Christ, I'm telling you, You're the One for me." Not as bad as Prince, but watch out! Let it also be known that the music is fabulous. Some will, of course, recognize Sonny's voice from his later work with Leviticus and Charizma.

    Other coverage for this album

    Heaven's Metal #13Reviewed by Doug Van PeltWell, 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…

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