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Rating: 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)
Tracklist and Lyrics
01 Monster Astronauts ()
Take me to the river
Dance with the demons inside
Put me in the mist wait for the golden twist
Fly me to the moon we got enough of fuel
Dark moving shadows once got a hold of you well
I won't be back there
I won't be back there No way
Tripping with my baby she's got a taste for fun
Dance a little dance
Twist into the magic trance
Monster astronauts semen of the sun
Monster astronauts now we're leaving ground
And we won't be back there
We won't be back there No way
02 Angel of Betrayal ()
She shone like the sun in those days
Whispered things into my head
Now I lie cold in my cell
Kissing pills to keep me sane
Angel of betrayal
Nowadays I choose to meditate
With a couple of drinks
Sitting on my sofa
Watching the dumb TV
Gin and Tonic rules
Blood on the floor
Burn marks from cigarettes
My throat pleads for more
Angel of betrayal
I tried to put my tongue into the cave
I prayed that I was insured
I tried to put my tongue into the cave
But she led my mind astray
Angel of betrayal
I ought to kill the bitch
To clean out my head
Letting off some steam
If you know what I mean
Gin and tonic rules
Blood on the floor
Burn marks and everything
Her soul leaves for home
Angel of betrayal
I tried to put my tongue into the cave
I prayed that I was insured
I tried to put my tongue into the cave
But she led my mind astray
Angel of betrayal
04 Wonderful World ()
Cloudless sky is in my eyes
The sun has come out for air
My dog is sitting by my side
Watching me getting high
What a wonderful world
Looking with inner eyes
What a wonderful world
Nothing ever dies
Can you feel the taste of life
Or are you blinded by the clowns?
Shake the water and feed the sun
Oil the universal joint
05 Blind Mountain ()
Come on winter feed me with your darkness you know
I've felt like this before
Loneliness is my only friend now and this bottle of cheap red wine
Deep are the wounds that push me away deep are the rivers that
run through my soul
Bittersweet are my memories of the one that got away... yeah
Innervisions bleed through my eyes
Look at me I'm dying for you
And all this time we'd borrow, beg and steal to feel real...
Living lies.
07 Look Back ()
No underhanded lies
Better look me in the eyes
Speak the truth if you are still my friend
‘Cause I won’t be fooled
By any calculated tries
Better change your plan
Or take your final bow
Look back
I never look back
To make me stick around
You have to compromise
It’s a give and take
You gotta share the crown
‘Cause I won’t be hooked
By any mystifying lines
Watch me stand alone
Like I always have
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