News: Björn Stigsson legacy continues

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XT RETURNS & A LOST CHAPTER OF SWEDISH CHRISTIAN METAL IS FINALLY REVEALED

Few musicians have left a mark on Christian metal quite like Björn Stigsson.

As the guitarist, songwriter, and driving force behind Swedish metal pioneers Leviticus, Stigsson helped establish the foundation of European Christian metal during the 1980s. Through landmark albums such as The Strongest PowerSetting Fire To The Earth, and Knights Of Heaven, Leviticus became one of the most influential Christian metal bands outside North America and inspired generations of musicians who followed.

Yet one of the most important chapters of Björn’s musical journey remains largely undiscovered by many fans—especially in the United States.

That chapter is XT.

Following the conclusion of Leviticus in 1990, Stigsson joined forces with vocalist Sonny Larsson, one of the finest voices in Christian rock and metal. Known for his work with Motherlode and Björn’s acclaimed Together With Friends album, Larsson brought soaring melodies, remarkable range, and world-class vocal performances to everything he touched.

Together, Stigsson and Larsson created one of Christian metal’s most underrated partnerships.

Between 1992 and 1995, XT released three outstanding albums that showcased a natural progression from melodic hard rock to increasingly powerful metal:

XT (1992)
A strong debut filled with melodic hooks, thoughtful songwriting, and the chemistry that would define the band.

Taxfree (1993)
Widely regarded as one of the hidden gems of Christian melodic hard rock, blending memorable hooks, polished musicianship, and some of the strongest songwriting of Stigsson’s career.

Extended Empire (1995)
The heaviest and most ambitious XT album, combining traditional metal, melodic metal, power metal, and progressive influences into an epic listening experience.

Although critically praised and beloved by those who discovered them, these albums never received the level of distribution and exposure in North America enjoyed by many of their contemporaries. For fans of Leviticus, Guardian, Fear Not, Saint, Sacred Warrior, Bride, Narnia, and classic melodic metal, XT remains one of Christian metal’s best-kept secrets.

That changes now.

Retroactive Records has worked tirelessly with Christian Liljegren and Melodic Passion Records to facilitate the return of all three classic XT albums, newly remastered and restored for a new generation of listeners.

XT REISSUE PROGRAM

XT (1992)

  • Limited Edition CD: 500 copies 
  • Limited Edition Vinyl: 200 copies

Taxfree (1993)

  • Limited Edition CD: 500 copies 
  • Limited Edition Vinyl: 200 copies

Extended Empire (1995)

  • Limited Edition CD: 500 copies 
  • Limited Edition Vinyl: 200 copies

Each release has been newly remastered to deliver the best listening experience these albums have ever received.

But the story doesn’t end there.

ADLER • LILJEGREN • STIGSSON – THE KINGDOM

Retroactive Records is equally honored to announce the first-ever CD and vinyl release of:

ADLER • LILJEGREN • STIGSSON
THE KINGDOM

Featuring:

  • Christian Liljegren (Narnia, Divinefire, Golden Resurrection)
  • Björn Stigsson (Leviticus, XT)
  • Ken Adler

What makes The Kingdom so special is that it isn’t simply a new album.

It is the culmination of friendships, songwriting sessions, recordings, and musical collaborations spanning nearly four decades. What began in the late 1980s eventually evolved into a collection of songs finally completed and assembled into a remarkable album in 2026.

The result is a powerful melodic metal release that bridges generations of Swedish Christian metal history while bringing together three respected musicians whose paths have crossed for decades.

THE KINGDOM

  • First Time Ever on CD
  • First Time Ever on Vinyl
  • Limited Edition CD: 500 copies
  • Limited Edition Vinyl: 300 copies

For longtime fans of Leviticus, Narnia, and Scandinavian Christian metal, The Kingdom represents a lost chapter finally being revealed.

As many of you know, Björn Stigsson is currently facing a battle with stomach cancer. While these releases are not about sympathy, they are an opportunity to celebrate a remarkable musical legacy that has impacted Christian metal fans around the world for more than forty years.

From Leviticus to XT and now The Kingdom, Björn’s influence continues to be heard across generations.

We are honored to help preserve and celebrate that legacy.

Stay tuned for release dates, audio samples, vinyl color reveals, and preorder information.

The legacy continues.

IN THE MEANTIME – BOONE’S OVERSTOCK HAS LAST COPIES OF LEVITICUS STOCK FOR CD and Vinyl!

Click the links to order!

BJORN STIGSSON – TOGETHER WITH FREINDS (180 Gram VINYL – REMASTER 2021) $29.99 

BJORN STIGSSON – TOGETHER WITH FREINDS (GOLD CD REMASTER, 2021, Roxx) *300 Unit Pressing $21.99

XT – XT (CD, 1992, Frontline Records) Bjorn Stigsson + Sonny Larson of Leviticus! $34.95

XT – SAVED BY THE BLOOD (*NEW-VINYL, 2017, Talking Music) All-Star Lineup! Last copy! $84.95

XT – REVIVED: STANDING FOR JESUS CHRIST (*CD, 2019, Talking Music) Import *Last Copy! $34.95 

LEVITICUS – JAG SKALL SEGRA (I SHALL CONQUER) (*NEW-CD, 2021, Roxx) Special Reissue! $16.99 

Leviticus – Live At Bobfest 2003 (*New CD, 2021) w/LTD Trading Card, 80’s Metal $44.95 (Last Copies)

Leviticus – The Strongest Power (*New CD, 2021) w/LTD Trading Card, 80’s Metal $18.95

Leviticus – Setting Fire To The Earth (*New CD, 2021) w/LTD Trading Card, 80’s Metal $18.97

Leviticus – Knights of Heaven (*New CD, 2021) AOR Hard Rock $18.95 

Leviticus – I Shall Conquer (*New CD, 2021) w/LTD Trading Card, 80’s Metal $18.95

Leviticus – I Shall Conquer (Limited Run Vinyl) 80’s Metal $36.00

Leviticus – The Strongest Power (Limited Run Vinyl) 80’s Metal $39.97

Leviticus – Setting Fire To The Earth (Limited Run Vinyl) 80’s Metal $39.97

Leviticus – Jag Skall Segra (180g Black Vinyl, 2021, Roxx) $39.97

Leviticus – Knights of Heaven (Limited Run Vinyl) AOR Hard Rock $39.97

MODEST ATTRACTION – DIVINE LUXURY (*NEW-VINYL, 2021, Retroactive) Pre-Narnia metal band $10

MODEST ATTRACTION – THE TRUTH IN YOUR FACE (*NEW-VINYL, 2021, Retroactive) Pre-Narnia band $10

MODEST ATTRACTION – GET READY (*NEW-VINYL, 2021, Retroactive) Pre-Narnia band! $10

Veni Domine – Fall Babylon Fall +3 Bonus (2-LP Black Vinyl Gatefold) Hand-Numbered! $45

Veni Domine – Fall Babylon Fall +3 Bonus (2-LP White Vinyl Gatefold, 2024) Hand-Numbered! $49.95

Veni Domine – Fall Babylon Fall +1 (Deluxe CD, 2024) Import, Remastered $19.95 SALE

Veni Domine – Material Sanctuary + 1 bonus (Deluxe CD, 2024) Remastered, Import $19.95 SALE 

Veni Domine – Material Sanctuary + 1 bonus (2-LP White Vinyl Gatefold, 2024) Hand-numbered! $49.95 SALE

Veni Domine – Material Sanctuary + 1 bonus (2-LP Black Vinyl Gatefold, 2024) Hand-numbered! $44.95 SALE

BETHESDA – S/T (Vinyl LP, Roxx) 2026 FFO: Veni Domine, German Pascual, Narnia $32.95 SALE

BETHESDA – S/T (CD, Roxx) 2026 FFO: Veni Domine, German Pascual, Narnia $16.95 SALE 

Veni Domine – The Album of Labour: IIII (New-CD, 2026, Retroactive) Prog Metal ala Queensrÿche! $16.95 SALE 

Veni Domine – Spiritual Wasteland (New-CD, 2026, Retroactive) Prog Metal ala Queensrÿche! $16.95 SALE 

Veni Domine – The Album of Labour: IIII (New-Vinyl, 2026, Retroactive) elite Prog Metal from Sweden! $34.95 Vinyl 

Veni Domine – Spiritual Wasteland (2-LP Vinyl Gatefold, 2026, Retroactive) Prog Metal ala Queensrÿche! $39.95 SALE 

MODEST ATTRACTION – THE TRUTH IN YOUR FACE (*NEW-CD, 2021, Retroactive) Pre-Narnia band $8.95 SALE 

MODEST ATTRACTION – GET READY (*NEW-CD, 2021, Retroactive) Pre-Narnia Swedish band! $8.95 SALE 

MODEST ATTRACTION – DIVINE LUXURY (*NEW-CD, 2021, Retroactive) ***PRE-NARNIA band – Christian Liljegren! $8.95 SALE 

Jerusalem ‎– Prophet (*NEW-TAPE, 1994, R.E.X.) $8 SALE 

MESSIAH PROPHET – MASTER OF THE METAL (*NEW-CD, Pure Metal Records) $24.95 SALE 

MESSIAH PROPHET – ROCK THE FLOCK (*NEW-CD, 1984, U.C.A.N.) $25.95 SALE 

MESSIAH PROPHET – COLORS (CD, 1996, U.C.A.N.) third release by band $15.95 SALE 

MESSIAH – GOING INSANE + 3 (CD, 2010, Retroactive) For fans of 70’s Alice Cooper/Kiss! $11.95 SALE 

JERUSALEM – DANCING ON THE HEAD OF THE SERPENT (Legends Remastered) 30th Anniversary Edition (*NEW 2-CD Set, 2018, Retroactive Records) $11.95 SALE 

LARM – Killing Time (*NEW-CD, 2023, Girder) Members of JERUSALEM / EDIN ADAHL! $11.95 SALE 

EDIN-ADAHL – SOM EN VIND (2-CD Best Of – Import) *Last copy $55

ALL FOR THE KING – DARKEST BEFORE DAWN (CD) 2024 Majestic Swedish Metal ala Narnia & Theocracy! $14.97 SALE 

ALL FOR THE KING – LET THERE BE LIGHT (*NEW-CD, 2022, Roxx) Melodic Metal w guest from Ulf (Jerusalem) $15.95 SALE 

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