History
Jerusalem's message was primarily aimed at youth, with their lyrics describing the band's relationship to God in an ordinary, but radical way. The band's purpose was expressly evangelistic. Their concerts have been described as a series of revival meetings which often included altar calls and occasionally exorcisms.[1]
Over time, Jerusalem gained broader acceptance, and after three years of touring record companies began making offers to record the band. The Christian record company Prim signed Jerusalem, without much expectation of success. However, the band's self-titled debut album, Jerusalem, became an instant hit among Christian listeners, and within the first six months the record sold 20,000 copies, unheard of within the genre of Christian rock in Europe.[1]
From the Christian Greenbelt festival in England, where Jerusalem participated during the summer, Americans brought the record to the United States and Glen Kaiser, leader of Resurrection Band, one of the most prominent Christian rock bands in the US. Kaiser gave the record to Pat Boone, who owned Lamb & Lion Records. Lamb & Lion subsequently released Jerusalem's records in the United States and Canada.[1]
With the fourth album, Vi Kan Inte Stoppas (Can't Stop Us Now), Jerusalem changed their style to a more melodic rock sound[1] with lyrics that were not as overtly God-centered.
Eventually, however, this all became too much, and the members of the band tired out. In 1985, Jerusalem quit touring and enrolled in the Word of Life Bible School.[1]
In 1987, Jerusalem released Dancing on the Head of the Serpent. Reidar I. Paulsen played the keyboards. The record sleeve depicted jeans and boots-clad person jumping on a person's head who appears to be half human/half lizard. This radical image proved too shocking for Swedish Christians. Some record stores banned the album,[1] while others still stocked the album, but sold the record under the counter. After this album, the band took a six-year hiatus.
