With the release of their excellent debut album, The Awakening, in 1998, NARNIA became one of the leading newcomer acts within the growing melodic metal scene.
NARNIA never refused the “White Metal” label, and if fact have embraced it, as it is an important fact within the band. Long Live the King (1999) and Desert Land (2001) followed and established the Swedish band within the metal scene.
The Great Fall might be the heaviest and powerful album NARNIA have recorded so far. Tracks like “Back from Hell,” the catchy “The Countdown Has Begun” or especially the monumental “The Great Fall of Man” (recorded along with a huge choir from Stockholm) proves NARIA are at the top of the melodic metal genre. The material is groovy and very powerful; also, the song writing seems to be more straightforward and to the point. Some progressive parts make the record even more interesting, as evident in “No Time To Lose.”
Once more vocalist Christian Liljegren, who is now called Christian Rivel (he took over the last name of his wife), proves he belongs among the best vocalists in the metal scene. His clear voice fits perfectly with the melodic sound of the band. “The Great Fall” also features two brilliant guest performances. On one side there is HammerFall drummer Anders Johansson (“Judgement Day”) and Saviour Machine vocalist Eric Clayton, who performs on “The Great Fall of Man.”
Andreas Olsson (bass), who previously played with Wisdom Call and Stormwind, joined the band. Now the line-up is strong again and The Great Fall proves that NARNIA has never been so powerful and fresh.
NARNIA were founded in 1996 by vocalist Christian Liljegren and guitarist Carljohann Grimmark. They met in 1993 and realized at once that they shared the same musical taste. The heroes of the golden eighties heavily inspire Christian and Carljohann. The vocalists that Christian refers to as idols have names such as Joey Tempest, Ronnie James Dio, David Byron or Brian Connoly. It's not very surprising, as he grew up with bands from that period. But it's even more astonishing when you have a look at the guitarists that inspired Carljohann, namely artists like Yngwie Malmsteen, Ritchie Blackmore, Joe Satriani, Gary Moore or John Norum, as he was only 22 years old.
Christian Liljegren (vocals)
Carljohan Grimmark (guitar)
Jacob Persson (bass)
Martin Claesson (keyboards)
Andreas Johansson (drums)
