Check out the new concept album from Rusty Shipp!
Check out the new concept album from Rusty Shipp!

JFH Music Review


Narnia, 'Ghost Town'
CLICK COVER TO ENLARGE

Narnia
Ghost Town



Genre(s): Metal
Album length: 10 tracks: 47 minutes
Street Date: March 17, 2023


READER RATING:   


The veteran Swedish metal band Narnia is back with their first post-pandemic release, Ghost Town. In sound and message, the album feels like a pseudo-sequel to 2019's From Darkness to Light with some subtle differences. Lead vocalist Christian Liljegren gives his voice a rougher edge while keyboardist Martin Härenstam has more to do with synth sounds and piano work. What remains the same is the band's commitment to melodic rock and straightforward lyrics that point to Jesus.

If a theme can be found in Ghost Town, it's the call to come out of worldliness and long for the day when we'll be taken out of it completely. You still have gospel calls (like the opener, "Rebel"), but the larger focus is on Christians living in the world today. There are the more encouraging aspects of that (like "Hold On" and the standout title track), but the band doesn't shy away from calling out those who are straying ("Glory Daze", "Modern Day Pharisees", "Wake Up Call"). Sprinkle in a couple eschatological tracks ("Descension", "Out of the Silence") and you have a record that's ready to take on the world as we know it today.

While that message is always timely, the way it's expressed doesn't always land right. Rhyme schemes don't always catch on some of the tracks, and the melodies on this album don't have the same earworm effect that From Darkness featured. The melodies grow on you through repeat listens, but it would have made the songs feel stronger with better melodic hooks. While that side of the songcraft wavers through the album's course, the music does not. Dynamic, operatic, and epic are all fitting descriptors for Ghost Town. There are moments of sonic swells that catch you up and take you for a wild ride. The added keyboard work from Härenstam also adds a little '80s element to the sound. For instance, the opening to "Thief" feels like the approach of a boss battle from an old SEGA Genesis game. The musical element carries the album from being a run-of-the-mill metal throwback to being something truly worth a listen.

If I may make the comparison, Narnia succeeds with Ghost Town where Stryper didn't with last year's The Final Battle. Where the latter carried on with more of the same, the former found ways to tweak their sound and add subtle elements to distinguish their new album from their previous one. Fans of either band will find plenty to enjoy here. The sound is loud, the guitar riffs and solos fall like a deluge, and Liljegren's vocals have, at times, a Michael Sweet quality. It may take a few listens to really get into this record, but this is one Ghost Town worth spending some time in.

- Review date: 3/15/23, written by John Underdown of Jesusfreakhideout.com



(JFH Sponsor Spot)

Check out JFH's Lloyd in his first-ever childrens book!

 

. Record Label: Narnia Songs
. Album length: 10 tracks: 47 minutes
. Street Date: March 17, 2023
. Buy It: Apple Music
. Buy It: Amazon.com (CD)
. Buy It: Amazon.com (Vinyl)
. Buy It: Amazon Music (MP3)

  1. Rebel (4:06)
  2. Thief (5:06)
  3. Hold On (4:05)
  4. Glory Daze (4:27)
  5. Descension (7:11)
  6. Ghost Town (3:42)
  7. Alive (4:02)
  8. Modern Day Pharisees (4:11)
  9. Out of the Silence (feat. Eric Clayton) (4:17)
  10. Wake Up Call (5:52)

 

 



Leave a Comment

 

 

go to main Album review page
go to Album review archive

 

 

                 
Check out JFH's Lloyd in his first-ever childrens book!

Search JFH



This Wednesday, July 16, 2025
SINGLES
1K Phew Yet - Single [Reach]

This Friday, July 18, 2025
ALBUMS
Justin Gambino Just Like Jesus - EP [Residence Music]
The Inspirations Up Above The World So High [Horizon]
Mary-Clair Enough [Vere]
MotionPlus Improper Decorum [SoulFeeder, Polished Arrow Music]
Planetshakers Weight of Heaven [Venture3Media]
The Rocky Valentines Music On The Shelf [Velvet Blue]
Emilie Weiss Come Through (Studio Session) - EP [BEC]

SINGLES
Chris Caro OTW - Single [Syntax]
Aaron Cole Mercy - Single [RCAI]
Melvin Crispell III Reason To Dance - Single [RCAI]
Crowder STILL (feat. Zach Williams) - Single [Capitol CMG]
Ellie Holcomb Hope's Gonna Find You - Single [Capitol CMG]
Influence Music How You Do It - Single (independent)
Vic Lucas Holy Ghost (ft. Lady Audri) - Single [Syntax]
Paul and Hannah McClure Holy Hands (Live) - Single [Bethel]
Lizzie Morgan Can't Help But Praise - Single [Provident]
Kevi Morse Honest Cvlture ft. STIXX aka Conejo) - Single [Syntax]
Shekts Nelson Your Love - Single [Churchboy]
Blessing Offor Crying Out Loud - Single [Capitol CMG]
Remedy Drive Brighter Than Apathy (Reimagined) - Single (independent)
Rhymes in Harmony Lift Your Name - Single [Syntax]
Speedy the Artist Reach For Elohim - Single [Syntax]
Thrive Worship The One Who Saves - Single [Integrity]
Zane Walls Think About Me - Single [DREAM]

This Sunday, July 20, 2025
VINYL
King's X Manic Moonlight Vinyl [Girder]

Next Wednesday, July 23, 2025
ALBUMS
Eric Roberson Beautifully All Over The Place (independent)

Next Friday, July 25, 2025
ALBUMS
Anchor & Braille New Mexico [Equal Vision]
Bride Scarecrow Messiah CD Re-Release [Girder]
Olivia Lane Songs About Jesus (Deluxe Edition) [BEC]
Tasha Cobbs Leonard TASHA [Motown Gospel]
Josh Wright LEAD (independent)

SINGLES
Gracie Binion Easy To Please - Single [BEC]
Andrew Gonoude Closer To You - Single (independent)
Kings Kaleidoscope + Kings Kaleidoscope Hymns Amazing Grace - Single [BEC]
Tasha Layton Life In Me - Single [BEC]
Hunter Plake Down to Earth - Single [BEC]
Xander Sallows infinite - Single [DREAM]
Joel Vaughn Feel It - Single [DREAM]
Zauntee Jesus Down In Florida - Single [BEC]

VINYL
Bride Scarecrow Messiah Vinyl [Girder]

DVD
Jordan Smith The People's Hymnal DVD [Gaither]



For all release dates, click here!
 

Check out depositphotos for royalty free images