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    Heaven's Metal #37
    Heaven's Metal #37/XT
    XT — XT cover

    XT

    XT

    Reviewed by Doug Van Pelt

    Listen on Apple Music
    Label Viva RecordsHeaven's Metal #37September/October 1992
    melodic rockaor

    When hearing about the formation of Bjorn Stigsson's new band with vocalist Sonny Larsson, Jerusalem drummer Michael Ulfsgard and original Leviticus bassist Hakan Andersson, I was very excited. Bjorn's songwriting and guitar playing since 1987 has been superb, and vocalist Sonny Larsson is no slouch either--once being asked to front Yngwie Malmsteen's band. The first song after the J.S. Bach intro of "Toccata" is "Looking for Love," which is indicative of the musical style of XT (which is Greek letters for Christ). It's keyboard driven and built with lots of major chords and big BGV's (in other words, it's commercial rock 'n' roll). The next tune, "The Rock of my Life," is a good example of the problem I see with most of the album: it seems to be written out of Sonny's best range. The first verse starts off great, with Sonny taking a somewhat lower register, and then he hits some high-pitched vocal lines that don't flatter his voice. If left to the right range, Sonny Larsson can be one of the best vocalists alive. This song is also one of many here that feature some very hot guitar leads (but too short) by Bjorn. "All Your Love" is a hot slower tune that finds the band competing with a Petra sound. A synthesized pan pipe sound is a fresh accent to the second chorus, which seems to add some sonic depth. "Open Your Heart" has a simple 'n' nice rhythm with a big keyboard sound. The sixth cut, "I'm in Heaven," is the first sign of guitar crunch on the album, bringing to mind "Majestic in Power" from Bjorn's "Together With Friends" album. "Everything is Possible" starts off with some very alive, screaming guitars. It's the most consistent rocker on the album and the standout cut. "I Call Your Name" features a cool pouting vocal delivery in the second verse, but has a very dated and somewhat lame keyboard intro. "Down the Street" is an energetic sparring workout, but has no knockout punch. "Standin' for Jesus Christ" is a bold anthem with decent vocal and rhythm lines and more of Bjorn's hot leads. This guy can make his guitar sing. Most of the songs are written by Bjorn, but Sonny pens a few, like the story-song "White Knight," a somewhat cheesy allegory about a white knight that comes riding in and teaches us to respond to our enemies with love. You may be able to read these emotional punches from way off, but it works--achieving that inspiring, emotion-tugging impact. Many of the lyrics reinforce and emphasizing the teaching of the believer's victorious identity in Christ and the power of God's Spirit in a believer. "Everything is possible/ When you get the power from above." It's not often that a musical project is so impacted by a doctrinal flavor. Overall, this is a quality pop rock album that doesn't really show much musical growth from Bjorn's last solo album.

    Also in Heaven's Metal #37

    Scapegoat — Love to You My FlowerEndurance — RunawayMad at the World — Through the ForestOverdrive — [video]White Horse — [demo]Crimson Thorn — PlaguedRefuge — RefugeVarious Artists — Video Stampede (Video)Midnight Hour — Heat of the FightParis Red — Dibbs on Your Body