This year marks 30 years of the Swedish melodic metal band Narnia, and they are marking it with a big ol’ “X,” their tenth studio album. This album has been in the making for a while, at least since 2024, but a lot has happened during that time such as touring and getting a new drummer, that stretched the timeline. Leading up to the release of “X,” the band stated this starts a a new chapter, mixing in additional lead vocalists in guitarist CJ Grimmark and bassist Jonatan Samuelsson to complement the dynamic voice of Narnia, Christian Liljegren. Change for a longstanding band like Narnia is tough to navigate, but how much change are we talking here?

The album opens with “Like A Thief In The Night,” a new Narnia classic that has all of the elements that make them a force to reckon with: catchy melodic vocals, solid guitar riffs, engaging synths, precise soloing, and a call to repentance as a new world will come like a thief in the night. This leads into “Oceanwide,” a song with a bouncy rhythm built on pulsing synths that allude to the 80s without getting thrown back in time. The trading off between the guitars and synths during the development section highlights high synergy between the instruments. “Heaven’s Calling” picks up the pace with a quick 6/8 meter and controlled rhythm section in a great melodic metal hymn. The solo is absolutely ripping. Then the pace cools for “Walk On Water,” a power ballad where the bass provides just enough smokey atmosphere where I can see the dry ice on stage as it leads up into the power metal chorus. Christian’s voice throughout the opening songs showcase not only power, but great dynamics to handle the gentle and the forceful.

Up to this point, this sounds like the Narnia I know and love with more focused songwriting. Great stuff! “God On Fire” shows the first signs of change. It’s not in CJ’s mind-bending riffs, but in his pleading lead vocals that hits about right in this more subdued song. As the prechorus comes through, Christian’s full-bodied voice gives more foundation, filling out the vocals. The speed demon “(SOS) Remedy” reminds me a lot of DivineFire with a beautifully melodic chorus that is the catchiest on the record, however, the lead up to it is lacking. The vocals are gravelly theatrical affairs that the guitar riffs, although quite well done, rip apart as if there were no vocals. “Jerusalem” moves obliquely into AOR territory with Jonatan taking the lead. I can hear quite a bit of his Starmen persona coming through, which I love as it fits well with the heavier synths. Ending this run of songs is “Every Breath” which hearkens back to the opening four with a historical Narnia feel to it. I like the prayerful lyrics, strong melody from Christian and the top notch instrumental playfulness.

The last two tracks feel like bonus tracks. “The War” is an instrumental reprise from a song off of their 2019 album “From Darkness Comes Light.” It fades in with a musical passage that doesn’t tie with the preceding songs, feeling a little out of place even if it is well played. “The Man From Nazareth Part II” is a continuation of the final song from the “Enter The Gate” album. This is a lighter, atmospheric ballad that features CJ on lead in a similar style to its prequel. Christian supports by taking on the sustained higher notes. Synths and slower tempos form the foundation as the song gently swells before tapering off over the almost 7-minute runtime, ending in stillness.

The musicianship, songwriting, and production are phenomenal. Lyrically, it is boldly Christian. Even though there is an endtimes emphasis, it is encouraging rather than raining fire and brimstone. I can’t complain. The sticking point on this particular Narnia release is the lighter runtime. A 42-minute album is respectable, but when we consider that the last two songs feel like bonus tracks, that makes the main event of 33-minutes feel rather quick compared to their prior albums.

Giving a score on this one is tough. My “Ghost Town” review may have been a tad overstated, where I would land it closer to a 9.0 upon a revisit. “Ghost Town” feels like the stronger release but not by much. “X” is high quality Christian metal, but I am feeling the filler provides less meat than previous offerings. Narnia is still a solid bet and my hopes are they refine their sound based on the lessons learned, coming back with a more full offering for “XI.”

Rating: 8.5/10

Written by Sean Bailey

Tracklist

1 – Like A Thief In The Night
2 – Oceanwide
3 – Heaven’s Calling
4 – Walk On Water
5 – God Under Fire
6 – (SOS) Remedy
7 – Jerusalem
8 – Every Breath
9 – The War That Tore The Land (Reprise)
10 – The Man From Nazareth, Pt. II

Narnia is:
Christian Liljegren – lead and backing vocals
Carl Johan Grimmark – guitars, backing and lead vocals
Jonatan “Jojo” Samuelsson – bass, backing and lead vocals
Martin Harenstam – keyboards
Anders Köllerfors – drums

Release Date: May 29, 2026

Record Label: Independent

Discography:
1998: Awakening
1999: Long Live The King
2001: Desert Land
2003: The Great Fall
2004: At Short Notice… Live In Germany
2006: Enter The Gate
2007: Decade of Confession (compilation)
2009: Course of a Generation
2016: Narnia [review]
2019: From Darkness to Light [review]
2021: Soli Deo Gloria (compilation)
2023: Ghost Town [review]
2026: X

Social Media: Website | Youtube | iTunes | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | Spotify | Bandcamp

Videos: Oceanwide (Audio Only)