Big bang, space travels, black holes, singularity, aliens, stars colliding and the inevitable end of universe - the solo debut from the internationally praised metal singer Linn?a Vikstr?m spans all the way from current science to the eternal, philosophical questions regarding the beginning, the end and life beyond our own planet. As the singer for the Swedish symphonic metal phenomenon Therion, Linnea Vikstr?m has already fans around the world. But when she makes her solo debut as QFT (quantum field theory) we get to meet a completely new side of the beloved singer. "Live In Space" is a dynamic and musically diversified theme album about the universe, where the ten tracks are beautifully bound together by Linn?a's enormous vocal range and clear vision. The result is a detailed journey through space and time, that won't leave anyone unaffected. "Live In Space" is an album where both the music and the lyrics offers you much to discover. The plan to release a solo EP based on scientific articles and themes about the universe and quantum physics had been on Linn?a's mind for quite a while. But when ?mer Akay from Despotz Records saw Linn?a Vikstr?m perform at 70000 Tons of Metal - where she jammed with Erik Peterson and Alex Skolnick (Testament), Charlie Benante (Anthrax) etc. - the project grew into a whole album. Along the way the scope was broadened to also include more philosophical reflection about how everything is connected. "Live In Space" starts with the inevitable - gravity wins over cosmos in the end and the universe is collapsing. On the heavy, ominous opening track "End Of The Universe" you can track influences from Black Sabbath, among others. "When I wrote the album, I listened a lot to Black Sabbath, and that's something you can really trace on some of the tracks. Other tunes are just straight hard rock, while one track is inspired by Van Halen. I got and took inspiration from everywhere and nowhere. The album is a mash-up of all the influences and inspirations I've came across during my life. You can even find some Spice Girls there if you just look close enough." says Linn?a Vikstr?m and reveals her probably least expected source of inspiration for the album. Under the supervision of legendary Swedish sound engineer Lennart ?stlund (ABBA, Led Zeppelin etc.), "Live In Space" was basically recorded completely live. Together with the musicians Georg H?rnsten Egg (drums), Jonathan Olsson (bass) and Mano Lewys (guitar), Linn?a Vikstr?m only needed a few recordings per track. That the album - apart from some additional choirs - was recorded live can't be heard when you listen to the result. On the contrary, "Live In Space" sounds like the product of immense and costly studio sessions. "Live In Space" was probably not what you expected from Linn?a Vikstr?m. But when the singer from Therion makes her solo debut as QFT, with an album wrapped in Lennart ?stlund's marvelous vintage sound, she crushes every border and totally exceeds every expectation.
