- Includes LTD Trading Card
- CD Limited to 500 Pressed
- 8 Page Booklet in Jewel Case, w/ Lyrics & Photos
- CD Release Date: Nov. 12, 2021
- Remastered from Original Sources
- Part of the Legends of Rock Series
- 2021 Girder Records (GR1106)
- UPC: 763416069763
Legends of Rock Series – Girder Records (GR1106)
Originally released in 1987, Setting Fire to the Earth represents a defining moment in the career of Swedish Christian metal pioneers Leviticus. Building on the melodic metal foundation established on their earlier releases, this album delivers a more mature, confident, and internationally resonant sound—one that helped propel the band onto a much larger global stage.
Setting Fire to the Earth became a worldwide best-seller and received strong reviews across numerous music magazines, marking the album as a breakthrough release for the band. Its success culminated in Leviticus finally gaining widespread attention in North America during their 1988 U.S. tour, where they opened for Larry Norman and also served as his backing band.
Musically, the album balances driving melodic metal with thoughtful lyrical depth. Standout tracks such as “Flames of Fire” and “Saved” showcase the band’s powerful, anthemic metal approach, while “The Suffering Servant” offers a moving and reflective ballad inspired by Isaiah 41 and 53, highlighting the band’s ability to blend heaviness with spiritual and emotional gravity.
This 2021 Girder Records reissue has been remastered from the original sources, presenting the album with enhanced clarity and punch while preserving its original intensity. For fans of classic 80s melodic and power-leaning metal, Setting Fire to the Earth stands as one of Leviticus’ most important and influential releases.
FIVE ALBUMS
Five albums from 80's Christian metal legends, Leviticus, I Shall Conquer, The Strongest Power, Setting Fire To the Earth, Knights of Heaven, and Live At Bobfest have been completely remastered for CD (from original sources) by Rob Colwell of Bombworks Sound. All of them come in a 8 page booklet with lyrics, photos and credits (Layout by Scott Waters (NoLife'TilMetal) Limited to just 500 copies each.
Leviticus
Leviticus could sure school the current generation of metal fans a few things, starting with the longevity that goes hand in hand with creating quality art that has stood the test of time. Leviticus interweaved a foundation of melodic metal with tendencies towards power metal with I Shall Conquer, The Strongest Power and Setting Fire to the Earth along with some brilliant AOR moments with Knights of Heaven, thanks to John and Dino Elefante, to only be topped off with one of the best live performances ever (yeah, I just said that) Live at BobFest, which has none of what we all hated about live albums. More on that later.
Let's back up a moment!
Unlike the USA, not a lot of Christian Heavy Metal came out of Sweden. There have been a few bands, most notably Blindside, Crimson Moonlight, Divinefire, Jerusalem, Narnia, Pantokrator, Veni Domine, XT and of course Leviticus founded by Björn Stigsson, Håkan Andersson and Kjell Andersson in the early 80′s.
LEVITICUS amassed a huge following in Europe but attracted a much smaller following among Christian headbangers in America who had to scramble to find their products pre-internet. Thankfully, their albums were released in the United States on labels such as Pure Metal, Refuge, Spectra, and Solid Rock.
LEVITICUS – SETTING FIRE TO THE EARTH (1987)
Leviticus released their third album Setting Fire To the Earth (1987), which became a best-seller around the world, and included many great reviews in multiple different music magazines. The album finally got the group noticed in North America during their 1988 US Tour opening for Larry Norman and serving as his backing band. “Flames of Fire” and “Saved” are standout metal songs on that release, with “The Suffering Servant” being a particularly strong ballad (based on Isaiah 41 and 53).
Björn Stigsson – All guitars, basspedals and vocals
Kjell Andersson – Drums, percussion and vocals
Terry Haw – Lead vocals
Ez Gomer – Bass, basspedals and vocals
- Flames of Fire
- Saved
- The First & the Last
- I`m a Believer
- Don`t Go Out
- Elijah On Carmel
- The Suffering Servant
- Get Up
- Love Is Love
