Spiritual Beggars
Demons

THE REVIEW

The nostalgic wave that has spawned bands like Graveyard, Witchcraft, and Dead Man in Sweden had already given birth to an example of stoner rock/hard rock rooted in the traditions of the '70s. The Spiritual Beggars were the pioneers of the Scandinavian "revival wave": formed back in 1992, their self-titled album propelled them to the Olympus of the European underground, thanks also to the songwriting and class of Michael Amott, axeman of Carnage, Carcass, and Arch Enemy.

The reasons why the guitarist decided to form a band so far removed from what he was playing at the time are not specified, but the result that emerged puts aside any doubts about the birth of the Spiritual Beggars. The band has indeed proven over the years to deserve the good-sized group of "devotees" that now steadfastly follows them, a feat achieved with excellent works like "Another Way to Shine" and "Ad Astra."

The departure of bassist Roger Nilsson from the combo precedes "Demons" (2005), the sixth studio album. His replacement was found in Sharlee D'Angelo (Arch Enemy), the final missing element to begin composing the tracks for Demons.

The names featured in the group hail from extreme metal (including Wiberg from Opeth), but it is pleasantly surprising to discover that despite the musicians' backgrounds, Demons still feels "fresh" and far from the usual musical habits of the various members. Immediate lyrics and sounds for an hard rock/heavy metal/stoner rock of simple assimilation. Beware: not catchy or filled with AOR solutions, because the Spiritual Beggars have their own signature style. The power of the opening "Throwing Your Life Away" promises three furious minutes of headbanging, while "One Man Army" showcases the melodic yet hard & heavy soul of the Swedish formation. A more stoner-oriented solution for "Dying Every Day", a good example of the Spiritual Beggars' musical Bible.

Demons thus highlights all the good signals sent by the band in the past. The album in question progresses with some hiccups (excellent tracks alongside less thrilling ones) but once again confirms the quality of the Swedes' offering, never falling short in their history. Contributing to the success of the CD is also Janne Christoffersson (also singer of Grand Magus), in his last work with the Beggars before being replaced by the equally competent Apollo Papathanasio.

A band and album to rediscover, just like the entire undercurrent of nostalgia that is pervading (and that has pervaded) Sweden. Rating: 3 and a half.

1. "Inner Strength" (1:19)
2. "Throwing Your Life Away" (3:32)
3. "Salt In Your Wounds" (3:20)
4. "One Man Army" (3:57)
5. "Through The Halls" (5:09)
6. "Treading Water" (3:33)
7. "Dying Every Day" (5:45)
8. "Born To Die" (4:35)
9. "Born To Die (Reprise)" (1:22)
10. "In My Blood" (4:13)
11. "Elusive" (3:34)
12. "Sleeping With One Eye Open" (3:44)
13. "No One Heard" (5:02)