The Christian music scene lost another one of its great influencers last week when Björn Stigsson died fighting his battle with cancer. Stigsson was perhaps best-known for his work with Christian metal pioneers Leviticus, who along with fellow Swedes Jerusalem, the Canadian Daniel Band, and American bands like Resurrection Band, Saint, and Stryper, was among the earliest Christian metal bands.
Leviticus released 4 studio albums (some of which had Swedish lyric versions as well as English), before disbanding in the early 90s. A live album and a few compilations followed later. In 1987, Stigsson released his first solo album Together with Friends, which featured a mix of melodic metal and hard rock, and had various guest vocalists and musicians, some of whom had played in Leviticus. Another solo album appeared in 2016.
After the breakup of Leviticus, Björn formed XT with pal Sonny Larsson. Larsson had joined Leviticus for a stint but never recorded an album with them on lead vocals. He did, however, sing on Together with Friends and on some work with another melodic metal band, Motherlode. XT released three albums in the 1990s, and then after a lengthy break released two more in the 2010s.
Since his death, stories have pouring in all over the internet about how warm and friendly Björn was, despite his legendary status in the Christian metal scene. His love for the Lord, his family, and his fans was evident to all who knew him. It seems only appropriate this week to dedicate our Song of the Day to memory of the legend that is Björn Stiggson. “Come On” comes from his 1987 solo album. Just look at how appropriate these lyrics:
Right now I walk
I’m walking to the promise land
The land of power
Yes the land of glory
I’m ready to go
Are you ready for rock`n roll
Rock to the King
‘cause the King is the Rock
I see a crowd of people
From every nation
From every language
They are all dressed in white
And they’re dancing and singing to the King
Come on, come on let’s rock to the King
Come on, come on let’s dance to the King
From Heaven the kingdom comes
I praisе and I sing to the Lord
Right know I feel
Oh you know I feel so good
I’m on my way
I’m on my way to heaven
Togеther with the people
The white dressed people
They who came out
Of the great tribulation
I see a crowd of people
Nobody hungers
Nobody thirsts
God will wipe away every tear
From their eyes, and they are singing
Come on, come on let’s rock to the King
Come on, come on let’s dance to the King
From Heaven the kingdom comes
I praise and I sing to the Lord
From Heaven the kingdom comes
I praise and I sing to the Lord
Yeah that’s what we’re gonna do
We’re gonna rock and dance together
Come on, come on let’s rock to the King
Come on, come on let’s dance to the King
Come on, come on let’s rock to the King
Come on, come on let’s dance…
Sure, the lyrics might be a little dated in style, “Rock for the King because the King is the Rock” sort of 80s metal cheese. But Stigsson had a vision for how metal and worship could go hand in hand, and alongside with other pioneers of the era, that influence has spread far and wide. This is how I want to remember him. Hearing the cries of “Right now I feel so good. I’m on my way to Heaven!” It’s literal for him now.
