Dancing On The Head Of The Serpent

Retroactive Records, as part of the Legends Remastered series, has reissued this iconic album as a double CD set containing both versions (U.S. and European) with 12 page booklet with lyrics in a clear jewel case (in line with the other Jerusalem reissues in this set).
Dancing on the Head of the Serpent is the fifth studio album, and the sixth album overall, by the Swedish hard rock band Jerusalem. Unlike their first four studio albums, it was recorded only in English, although there are two different versions. The original version was released in Scandinavia in 1987 on JM Records. In 1988, Refuge Records released a re-recorded and remixed version in the United States, with slightly different artwork. This was the first Jerusalem album to be released on CD.
The general lyrical theme of the album is "war against Satan", but songs such as "Still" focus on forgiveness and restoration.
Reidar I. Paulsen played the keyboards. The record sleeve depicted a jeans and boots clad person (the standard attire among skinheads) 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, while others still stocked the album, but sold the record under the counter. After this album the band took a six-year hiatus.
Jerusalem decided to start their own studio and went to the London and bought some gear from the band "10 CC". Jerusalem purchased a 32+24 track mixing console, Soundtracks CM 4400 and a 24 track tape recorder, Soundcraft 760 and some other stuff. Produced by Ulf Christiansson and engineered by Goran Buller. This record was remade and remixed for the US market in 1988 and released by Refuge Records that same year. It was banned by several record stores in Scandinavia for its album cover (painted by Rolf Jansson of Norway).
The title song "Dancing on the Head of the Serpent" was #1 on the CCM charts for several weeks. "Rebels of J.C" and "Plunder Hell, Populate Heaven" were on the same charts as well during that time. In 1988, "Dancing On The Head Of The Serpent" was also a Dove Award nominee for the "Metal song of the year" in the USA. A video was made from the title song for television. It was produced in Uppsala/Stockholm.
Reidar replaced Dan who decided to stay in Sollebrunn when the band moved up to Uppsala, Sweden.

Lineup

Ulf Christiansson - Lead Vocals/Guitar
Peter Carlsohn (XT) - Bass/Background Vocals
Mikael Ulvsgärd - Drums/Background Vocals
Reidar I Paulsen - Keyboards/Background Vocals