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{{short description|Christian power metal band from Sweden}}
{{Refimprove| date= January 2012}}
{{BLP sources|date=November 2022}}
{{Infobox musical artist <!-- See Wikipedia:WikiProject Musicians -->
{{Infobox musical artist
| name = Narnia
| image =
| name = Narnia
| caption =
| image = Narnia band, Argentina 2017.jpg
| background = group_or_band
| caption = Narnia in 2017
| origin = [[Jönköping]], [[Sweden]]
| origin = [[Jönköping]], Sweden
| genre = [[Heavy metal music|Heavy metal]], [[power metal]], [[neoclassical metal]], [[progressive metal]], [[Christian metal]]
| genre = {{hlist|[[Heavy metal music|Heavy metal]]|[[power metal]]|[[neoclassical metal]]|[[progressive metal]]|[[Christian metal]]}}
| years_active = 1996–2010, 2014–present
| years_active = 1996–2010, 2014–present
| label = [[Massacre Records|Massacre]], Attic Arcade, [[Nuclear Blast Records|Nuclear Blast]], [[Pony Canyon]]
| label = {{hlist|[[Massacre Records|Massacre]]|Attic Arcade|[[Nuclear Blast Records|Nuclear Blast]]|[[Pony Canyon]]}}
⚫
| website = [http://narniatheband.com/ narniatheband.com]
| associated_acts = [[Divinefire]], [[Saviour Machine]], [[Rob Rock]], [[Harmony (band)|Harmony]], [[Audiovision]]
⚫
| current_members = [[Christian Liljegren]]<br/>[[Carl Johan Grimmark]]<br/>Andreas Olsson<br/>Andreas Johansson<br/>Martin Härenstam
⚫
| website = [http://narniatheband.com/ Official Website]
⚫
| past_members = Germán Pascual<br/>Jakob Persson<br/>Linus Kåse<br/>Fredrik Junhammar
⚫
| current_members = [[Christian Liljegren]]<br/ >[[Carl Johan Grimmark]]<br/>[[Andreas Olsson]]<br/>Andreas Johansson<br/>Martin Härenstam
⚫
| past_members = Germán Pascual<br/>Jakob Persson<br/>Linus Kåse<br/>Fredrik Junhammar
}}
}}


'''Narnia''' is a [[Christian metal|Christian]] [[Neoclassical metal|neoclassical]] [[Progressive metal|progressive]] [[power metal]] band founded by guitarist [[Carl Johan Grimmark]] and singer [[Christian Liljegren]]. The band formed in [[Sweden]] in 1996, disbanded in 2010, and reformed in 2014. Their album themes heavily reference ''[[The Chronicles of Narnia]]'' by [[C. S. Lewis]].
'''Narnia''' is a Swedish [[Heavy metal music|metal]] band founded by guitarist [[Carl Johan Grimmark]] and singer [[Christian Liljegren]]. The band formed in Sweden in 1996, disbanded in 2010, and reformed in 2014. Their music references ''[[The Chronicles of Narnia]]'' by [[C. S. Lewis]].


==History==
==History==
Liljegren and Grimmark met for the first time in 1993 in [[Jönköping]], a town in the south of Sweden. At this time Liljegren and his band Modest Attraction were just about to release their first album, ''The Truth in Your Face''. Grimmark was a member of a band named Sentinel. They remained in contact over several years, during which both had trouble with their bands. Modest Attraction produced its second album ''Divine Luxury'' in 1996, at the same time as Grimmark decided to leave Sentinel.{{Citation needed|date= January 2012}} Liljegren phoned Grimmark and asked him whether he was interested in working together on a project. Liljegren had a passion for melodic hard rock, which he was not able to explore in the band Modest Attraction. Grimmark was instantly interested in a project along those lines.{{Citation needed|date= January 2012}}
Liljegren and Grimmark met for the first time in 1993 in [[Jönköping]], a town in the south of Sweden. At this time Liljegren and his band Modest Attraction were just about to release their first album, ''The Truth in Your Face''. Grimmark was a member of a band named Sentinel. They remained in contact over several years, during which both had trouble with their bands. Modest Attraction produced its second album ''Divine Luxury'' in 1996, at the same time as Grimmark decided to leave Sentinel.{{Citation needed|date= January 2012}} Liljegren phoned Grimmark and asked him whether he was interested in working together on a project. Liljegren had a passion for melodic hard rock, which he was not able to explore in the band Modest Attraction. Grimmark was instantly interested in a project along those lines.{{Citation needed|date= January 2012}}


A few months later Liljegren called Grimmark again and told him that Modest Attraction would go on tour to Germany and the guitar player Stephan Mohlin could not accompany them. Thus Grimmark replaced Stephan. Stephan soon left the band all together, and Grimmark was asked whether he would like to become a full-time band member. Grimmark accepted, thus giving Liljegren and Grimmark time to plan their project.{{Citation needed|date= January 2012}} They took a few old songs from other bands and altered them to their own preferences. In September 1996 they went into the Top Recording Studio.{{Citation needed|date= January 2012}} Grimmark played all of the instruments and Liljegren sang. The recordings took several months. They had several guests on the album, including Jakob Persson, who later played bass in Narnia. [[Janne Stark]] ([[Overdrive (band)|Overdrive]], [[Locomotive Breath]], [[Baltimoore]]) was responsible for a guitar solos and Mart Hallek played the violin.
A few months later Liljegren called Grimmark again and told him that Modest Attraction would go on tour to Germany and the guitar player Stephan Mohlin could not accompany them. Thus Grimmark replaced Stephan. Stephan soon left the band all together, and Grimmark was asked whether he would like to become a full-time band member. Grimmark accepted, thus giving Liljegren and Grimmark time to plan their project.{{Citation needed|date= January 2012}} They took a few old songs from other bands and altered them to their own preferences. In September 1996 they went into the Top Recording Studio.{{Citation needed|date= January 2012}} Grimmark played all of the instruments and Liljegren sang. The recordings took several months. They had several guests on the album, including Jakob Persson, who later played bass in Narnia. [[Janne Stark]] ([[Overdrive (band)|Overdrive]], Locomotive Breath, [[Baltimoore]]) was responsible for the guitar solos and Mart Hallek played the violin.


In January 1997, the recordings was finally finished. After hard work the album ''[[Awakening (Narnia album)|Awakening]]'' was mixed.
In January 1997, the recordings were finally finished. After hard work the album ''Awakening'''' was mixed.


Thanks to their manager Magnus Söderkvist their album was taken up by ten Japanese labels. Nine of these labels wanted to take Narnia under contract, finally Narnia decided for [[Pony Canyon]]. In May, Liljegren and Grimmark went on their last tour with Modest Attraction. They met Matthias Mittelstädt, who possessed an enterprise named MCM Music. Mittelstädt, along with his brother, Rainer Matthias, loved the album and Mittelstädt became their manager.{{Citation needed|date= January 2012}}
Thanks to their manager Magnus Söderkvist their album was taken up by ten Japanese labels. Nine of these labels wanted to take Narnia under contract, finally Narnia decided for [[Pony Canyon]]. In May, Liljegren and Grimmark went on their last tour with Modest Attraction. They met Matthias Mittelstädt, who possessed an enterprise named MCM Music. Mittelstädt, along with his brother, Rainer Matthias, loved the album and Mittelstädt became their manager.{{Citation needed|date= January 2012}}
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With a demo in hand and new management, they began to search for talented new members and finally Narnia was born.{{Citation needed|date= January 2012}}
With a demo in hand and new management, they began to search for talented new members and finally Narnia was born.{{Citation needed|date= January 2012}}


Subsequently, the group signed with [[Nuclear Blast Records]], and would release the albums ''[[Long Live the King (album)|Long Live the King]]'' (1999), ''[[Desert Land]]'' (2001), and ''[[The Great Fall]]'' (2003) on that label. They opened once for [[Stratovarius]] during this time.
Subsequently, the group signed with [[Nuclear Blast Records]], and would release the albums ''Long Live the King'' (1999), ''Desert Land'' (2001), and ''The Great Fall'' (2003) on that label. They opened once for [[Stratovarius]] during this time.


A live-DVD and live album was released of their concert in Germany, both titled ''[[At Short Notice... Live in Germany]]'' (2006). The following album, ''[[Enter the Gate]]'' (2006), was released on MCM Music, as was the compilation album ''[[Decade of Confession]]'' (2007).
A live-DVD and live album was released of their concert in Germany, both titled ''At Short Notice... Live in Germany'' (2006). The following album, ''Enter the Gate'' (2006), was released on MCM Music, as was the compilation album ''Decade of Confession'' (2007).


On April 9, 2008, Narnia began recording their latest album. On April 29, Liljegren announced his departure from the band.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=95948 |title=Narnia parts ways with singer |author= |date=April 29, 2008 |work= |publisher=Blabbermouth |accessdate=November 11, 2011 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090206162849/http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=95948 |archivedate=February 6, 2009 |df= }}</ref> On August 29, the band announced on their official MySpace that the new vocalist is Germán Pascual. Germán grew up in Rio de Janeiro/Brazil, but moved to Sweden in his teens. Previously he has worked with various bands and artists, such as Minds Eye and Mendez.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=103711|title=NARNIA Announces New Singer|author=|date=August 29, 2008|work=|publisher=|accessdate=November 11, 2011}}{{dead link|date=February 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> ''Course of a Generation'' was released in Europe by Massacre Records on July 24, 2009.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mauce.nl/oldsite/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1424&Itemid=1|title=Narnia announced new album title|author=|date=February 23, 2009|work=|publisher=|accessdate=November 11, 2011}}{{dead link|date=February 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>
On 9 April 2008 Narnia began recording their latest album. On 29 April Liljegren announced his departure from the band.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=95948 |title=Narnia parts ways with singer |date=April 29, 2008 |publisher=Blabbermouth |access-date=November 11, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090206162849/http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=95948 |archive-date=February 6, 2009 }}</ref> On 29 August the band announced on their official MySpace that the new vocalist is Germán Pascual. Germán grew up in Rio de Janeiro/Brazil, but moved to Sweden in his teens. Previously he has worked with various bands and artists, such as Minds Eye and Mendez.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=103711|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130201192249/http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=103711|url-status=dead|archive-date=February 1, 2013|title=NARNIA Announces New Singer|date=August 29, 2008|access-date=November 11, 2011}}</ref> ''Course of a Generation'' was released in Europe by Massacre Records on 24 July 2009.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mauce.nl/oldsite/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1424&Itemid=1|title=Narnia announced new album title|date=February 23, 2009|access-date=November 11, 2011}}{{dead link|date=February 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>


On April 15, 2010 the band announced that they would be breaking up.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.myspace.com/narniaofficial/blog/532840453 |title=Grand finale |quote=We confirm today that we're facing the end of the journey of this band.|author= |date=April 15, 2010 |work= |publisher= |accessdate=November 11, 2011}}</ref> On October 20, 2010 they announced that they would hold two final concerts - one in [[Germany]], and one in [[Mexico]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.myspace.com/narniaofficial/blog/540047644 |title=FINAL CONCERTS in Germany and Mexico |author= |date=October 20, 2010 |work= |publisher= |accessdate=November 11, 2011}}</ref> Original keyboardist Martin Härenstam (Claésson) rejoined for the final two concerts.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.myspace.com/narniaofficial/blog/540123458 |title=NARNIA Lineup for final Mexico and Germany concerts |author= |date=October 24, 2010 |work= |publisher= |accessdate=November 11, 2011}}</ref>
On 15 April 2010 the band announced that they would be breaking up.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.myspace.com/narniaofficial/blog/532840453 |title=Grand finale |quote=We confirm today that we're facing the end of the journey of this band.|date=April 15, 2010 |access-date=November 11, 2011}}</ref> On 20 October 2010 they announced that they would hold two final concerts - one in Germany, and one in Mexico.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.myspace.com/narniaofficial/blog/540047644 |title=FINAL CONCERTS in Germany and Mexico |date=October 20, 2010 |access-date=November 11, 2011}}</ref> Original keyboardist Martin Härenstam (Claésson) rejoined for the final two concerts.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.myspace.com/narniaofficial/blog/540123458 |title=NARNIA Lineup for final Mexico and Germany concerts |date=October 24, 2010 |access-date=November 11, 2011}}</ref>


==Post-breakup and reunion==
==Post-breakup and reunion==
Since their farewell shows in [[Mexico City]], (at [[Revolution Metal]]), and [[Germany]], (at [[Christmas Rocknight]]), there has not been a great deal of information about the members of Narnia. That changed on January 22, 2012, as former frontman Carl Johan Grimmark took to the band's official MySpace and revealed that he had been quite busy in the past year.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.myspace.com/narniaofficial/stream/activity/BulletinAdd/-1901159945 |title=A message from CJ Grimmark |author=CJ Grimmark |work= |publisher= |accessdate=December 28, 2012}}</ref>
Since their farewell shows in [[Mexico City]], (at [[Revolution Metal]]), and Germany, (at [[Christmas Rocknight]]), there has not been a great deal of information about the members of Narnia. That changed on 22 January 2012, as former frontman Carl Johan Grimmark took to the band's official MySpace and revealed that he had been quite busy in the past year.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.myspace.com/narniaofficial/stream/activity/BulletinAdd/-1901159945 |title=A message from CJ Grimmark |author=CJ Grimmark |access-date=December 28, 2012}}</ref>


According to Grimmark, he had joined the band [[Jerusalem (Swedish band)|Jerusalem]] during the summer of 2011, playing guitar and keyboard. He also stated that he was also involved with the band [[Full Force (band)|Full Force]], composed of [[Mike Andersson]], vocals (of [[Cloudscape (band)|Cloudscape]]), [[Anders Johansson (drummer)|Anders Johansson]] (of [[Hammerfall]], formerly of Yngwie Malmsteen's [[Rising Force]]) [[Stefan Elmgren]] (formerly of [[Hammerfall]]) and [[Tommy Larsson]] (formerly of [[Heed (band)|Heed]]). He hinted at something big taking place in the future, but has since remained tight-lipped regarding the news.
According to Grimmark, he had joined the band [[Jerusalem (Swedish band)|Jerusalem]] during the summer of 2011, playing guitar and keyboard. He also stated that he was also involved with the band [[Full Force (band)|Full Force]], composed of [[Mike Andersson]], vocals (of [[Cloudscape (band)|Cloudscape]]), [[Anders Johansson (drummer)|Anders Johansson]] (of [[HammerFall]], formerly of Yngwie Malmsteen's [[Rising Force]]), [[Stefan Elmgren]] (formerly of [[HammerFall]]) and [[Tommy Larsson]] (formerly of [[Heed (band)|Heed]]). He hinted at something big taking place in the future, but has since remained tight-lipped regarding the news.


On January 31, 2014, the band announced they were active again, celebrating the 15th anniversary of their ''Long Live the King'' album by playing live shows and re-releasing the album as a deluxe edition.<ref>http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/swedens-narnia-is-back/</ref>
On 31 January 2014 the band announced they were active again, celebrating the 15th anniversary of their ''Long Live the King'' album by playing live shows and re-releasing the album as a deluxe edition.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.blabbermouth.net/news/swedens-narnia-is-back/|title=Sweden's NARNIA Is Back|date=2014-01-31|website=Blabbermouth.net}}</ref>

==Band members==


==Band members {{Verify source|date=February 2017}}==
{{col-begin}}
{{col-begin}}
{{col-2}}
{{col-2}}


===Current members===
'''Current'''
* [[Christian Rivel|Christian Liljegren]] – [[Singing|lead vocals]] {{small|(1996–2008, 2014–present)}}
* [[Christian Rivel|Christian Liljegren]] – lead vocals {{small|(1996–2008, 2014–present)}}
* [[CJ Grimmark|CJ Grimmark]] – [[electric guitar|guitars]], vocals {{small|(1996–2010, 2014–present)}}
* CJ Grimmark – guitars, bass guitar, keyboards, vocals {{small|(1996–2010, 2014–present)}}
* Martin Härenstam – [[Keyboard instrument|keyboards]] {{small|(1997–2003, 2010, 2014–present)}}
* Martin Härenstam – keyboards {{small|(1997–2003, 2010, 2014–present)}}
* Andreas Johansson – [[Drum kit|drums]] {{small|(1997–2010, 2014–present)}}
* Jonatan Samuelsson – bass guitar, [[bass pedals]], vocals {{small|(2016–present)}}
* Anders Köllerfors – drums {{small|(2023–present)}}
* [[Jonatan Samuelsson]] – [[Bass guitar|bass]], [[Bass pedals|basspedals]], vocals {{small|(2016–present)}}
{{col-2}}
{{col-2}}


===Former members===
'''Former'''
* Fredrik Junhammar – drums {{small|(1997)}}
* Fredrik Junhammar – drums {{small|(1997)}}
* Sonny Larsson – [[backing vocals]] {{small|(1997–2000)}}
* Sonny Larsson – backing vocals {{small|(1997–2000)}}
* Jakob Persson – bass {{small|(1997–2001)}}
* Jakob Persson – bass {{small|(1997–2001)}}
* Linus Kåse – keyboards {{small|(1999–2004)}}
* Linus Kåse – keyboards {{small|(1999–2004)}}
* Germán Pascual – lead vocals {{small|(2008–2010)}}
* Germán Pascual – lead vocals {{small|(2008–2010)}}
* [[Andreas Olsson/Passmark]] – [[Bass guitar|bass]] {{small|(2001–2010, 2014–2016)}}
* Andreas Olsson/Passmark – bass {{small|(2001–2010, 2014–2016)}}
* Andreas Johansson – drums {{small|(1997–2010, 2014–2023)}}
{{col-end}}
{{col-end}}


===Timeline===
'''Timeline'''
{{#tag:timeline|
{{#tag:timeline|
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Line 78: Line 79:
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id:guitar value:green legend:Guitar
id:guitar value:green legend:Guitar
id:bass value:blue legend:Bass
id:bass value:blue legend:Bass
Line 84: Line 85:
id:drums value:orange legend:Drums
id:drums value:orange legend:Drums
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Line 104: Line 109:
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bar:Jonatan text:"Jonatan Samuelsson"
bar:Martin text:"Martin Härenstam"
bar:Martin text:"Martin Härenstam"
bar:Linus text:"Linus Kåse"
bar:Linus text:"Linus Kåse"
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bar:Fredrik text:"Fredrik Junhammar"
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bar:Jonatan text:"Jonatan Samuelsson"
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Line 117: Line 123:
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Line 132: Line 140:
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bar:Anders from:11/11/2023 till:end color:drums
}}
}}


==Discography==
==Discography==
;Studio albums
'''Studio albums'''
* ''[[Awakening (Narnia album)|Awakening]]'' ([[1998 in music|1998]])
* ''Awakening'' (1998)
* ''[[Long Live the King (album)|Long Live the King]]'' ([[1999 in music|1999]])
* ''Long Live the King'' (1999)
* ''[[Desert Land]]'' ([[2001 in music|2001]])
* ''Desert Land'' (2001)
* ''[[The Great Fall]]'' ([[2003 in music|2003]])
* ''The Great Fall'' (2003)
* ''[[Enter the Gate]]'' ([[2006 in music|2006]])
* ''Enter the Gate'' (2006)
* ''Course of a Generation'' (2009)
* ''Course of a Generation'' (2009)
* ''Narnia'' (2016)
* ''Narnia'' (2016)
* ''We Still Believe - Made in Brazil'' (2018)
* ''From Darkness to Light'' (2019)
* ''Ghost Town'' (2023)

'''Live albums'''
* ''We Still Believe – Made in Brazil'' (2018)


;Compilations
'''Compilations'''
* ''[[Decade of Confession]]'' ([[2007 in music|2007]])
* ''Decade of Confession'' (2007)
* ''Soli Deo Gloria'' (2021)


;Video albums
'''Video albums'''
* ''[[At Short Notice... Live in Germany]]'' ([[2004 in music|2004]])
* ''At Short Notice... Live in Germany'' (2004)


==References==
==References==
{{reflist}}
{{Reflist}}


==External links==
==External links==
* [http://www.myspace.com/narniaofficial Official Narnia Myspace]
* [http://www.myspace.com/narniaofficial Official Narnia Myspace]
* [http://www.metal-archives.com/band.php?id=4452 Narnia] at [[Metal Archives]]
* [http://nolifetilmetal.com/narnia.htm Narnia at nolifetilmetal.com]
* [http://nolifetilmetal.com/narnia.htm Narnia at nolifetilmetal.com]
* [https://www.flickr.com/photos/chasid68/sets/72157645214326628/ Narnia in concert]


{{Authority control}}
{{Authority control}}

Latest revision as of 14:48, 11 November 2023

Narnia
Narnia in 2017
Narnia in 2017
Background information
OriginJönköping, Sweden
Genres
Years active1996–2010, 2014–present
Labels
MitgliederChristian Liljegren
Carl Johan Grimmark
Andreas Olsson
Andreas Johansson
Martin Härenstam
Past membersGermán Pascual
Jakob Persson
Linus Kåse
Fredrik Junhammar
Websitenarniatheband.com

Narnia is a Swedish metal band founded by guitarist Carl Johan Grimmark and singer Christian Liljegren. The band formed in Sweden in 1996, disbanded in 2010, and reformed in 2014. Their music references The Chronicles of Narnia by C. S. Lewis.

History

[edit]

Liljegren and Grimmark met for the first time in 1993 in Jönköping, a town in the south of Sweden. At this time Liljegren and his band Modest Attraction were just about to release their first album, The Truth in Your Face. Grimmark was a member of a band named Sentinel. They remained in contact over several years, during which both had trouble with their bands. Modest Attraction produced its second album Divine Luxury in 1996, at the same time as Grimmark decided to leave Sentinel.[citation needed] Liljegren phoned Grimmark and asked him whether he was interested in working together on a project. Liljegren had a passion for melodic hard rock, which he was not able to explore in the band Modest Attraction. Grimmark was instantly interested in a project along those lines.[citation needed]

A few months later Liljegren called Grimmark again and told him that Modest Attraction would go on tour to Germany and the guitar player Stephan Mohlin could not accompany them. Thus Grimmark replaced Stephan. Stephan soon left the band all together, and Grimmark was asked whether he would like to become a full-time band member. Grimmark accepted, thus giving Liljegren and Grimmark time to plan their project.[citation needed] They took a few old songs from other bands and altered them to their own preferences. In September 1996 they went into the Top Recording Studio.[citation needed] Grimmark played all of the instruments and Liljegren sang. The recordings took several months. They had several guests on the album, including Jakob Persson, who later played bass in Narnia. Janne Stark (Overdrive, Locomotive Breath, Baltimoore) was responsible for the guitar solos and Mart Hallek played the violin.

In January 1997, the recordings were finally finished. After hard work the album Awakening'' was mixed.

Thanks to their manager Magnus Söderkvist their album was taken up by ten Japanese labels. Nine of these labels wanted to take Narnia under contract, finally Narnia decided for Pony Canyon. In May, Liljegren and Grimmark went on their last tour with Modest Attraction. They met Matthias Mittelstädt, who possessed an enterprise named MCM Music. Mittelstädt, along with his brother, Rainer Matthias, loved the album and Mittelstädt became their manager.[citation needed]

With a demo in hand and new management, they began to search for talented new members and finally Narnia was born.[citation needed]

Subsequently, the group signed with Nuclear Blast Records, and would release the albums Long Live the King (1999), Desert Land (2001), and The Great Fall (2003) on that label. They opened once for Stratovarius during this time.

A live-DVD and live album was released of their concert in Germany, both titled At Short Notice... Live in Germany (2006). The following album, Enter the Gate (2006), was released on MCM Music, as was the compilation album Decade of Confession (2007).

On 9 April 2008 Narnia began recording their latest album. On 29 April Liljegren announced his departure from the band.[1] On 29 August the band announced on their official MySpace that the new vocalist is Germán Pascual. Germán grew up in Rio de Janeiro/Brazil, but moved to Sweden in his teens. Previously he has worked with various bands and artists, such as Minds Eye and Mendez.[2] Course of a Generation was released in Europe by Massacre Records on 24 July 2009.[3]

On 15 April 2010 the band announced that they would be breaking up.[4] On 20 October 2010 they announced that they would hold two final concerts - one in Germany, and one in Mexico.[5] Original keyboardist Martin Härenstam (Claésson) rejoined for the final two concerts.[6]

Post-breakup and reunion

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Since their farewell shows in Mexico City, (at Revolution Metal), and Germany, (at Christmas Rocknight), there has not been a great deal of information about the members of Narnia. That changed on 22 January 2012, as former frontman Carl Johan Grimmark took to the band's official MySpace and revealed that he had been quite busy in the past year.[7]

According to Grimmark, he had joined the band Jerusalem during the summer of 2011, playing guitar and keyboard. He also stated that he was also involved with the band Full Force, composed of Mike Andersson, vocals (of Cloudscape), Anders Johansson (of HammerFall, formerly of Yngwie Malmsteen's Rising Force), Stefan Elmgren (formerly of HammerFall) and Tommy Larsson (formerly of Heed). He hinted at something big taking place in the future, but has since remained tight-lipped regarding the news.

On 31 January 2014 the band announced they were active again, celebrating the 15th anniversary of their Long Live the King album by playing live shows and re-releasing the album as a deluxe edition.[8]

Band members

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Timeline

Discography

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Studio albums

  • Awakening (1998)
  • Long Live the King (1999)
  • Desert Land (2001)
  • The Great Fall (2003)
  • Enter the Gate (2006)
  • Course of a Generation (2009)
  • Narnia (2016)
  • From Darkness to Light (2019)
  • Ghost Town (2023)

Live albums

  • We Still Believe – Made in Brazil (2018)

Compilations

  • Decade of Confession (2007)
  • Soli Deo Gloria (2021)

Video albums

  • At Short Notice... Live in Germany (2004)

References

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  1. ^ "Narnia parts ways with singer". Blabbermouth. April 29, 2008. Archived from the original on February 6, 2009. Retrieved November 11, 2011.
  2. ^ "NARNIA Announces New Singer". August 29, 2008. Archived from the original on February 1, 2013. Retrieved November 11, 2011.
  3. ^ "Narnia announced new album title". February 23, 2009. Retrieved November 11, 2011.[permanent dead link]
  4. ^ "Grand finale". April 15, 2010. Retrieved November 11, 2011. We confirm today that we're facing the end of the journey of this band.
  5. ^ "FINAL CONCERTS in Germany and Mexico". October 20, 2010. Retrieved November 11, 2011.
  6. ^ "NARNIA Lineup for final Mexico and Germany concerts". October 24, 2010. Retrieved November 11, 2011.
  7. ^ CJ Grimmark. "A message from CJ Grimmark". Retrieved December 28, 2012.
  8. ^ "Sweden's NARNIA Is Back". Blabbermouth.net. 2014-01-31.
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