Up next on the chopping block is a band that some may have heard of but most probably haven’t. It’s a band called Spiritual Beggars and they are a stoner rock band from Sweden. What makes them notable is that it’s a band that features Michael Amott (Arch Enemy, Carcass) as well as Sharlee D’ Angelo from Arch Enemy. It also has members who would go on to form the band Grand Magus. Anyway, let’s take a look…..
Spiritual Beggars- so if you are looking for a Swedish version of a band that has a Jimi Hendrix sound to it, then this is an album that you’ll appreciate. This album has a lot of really good riffs which do in fact remind me of Hendrix and it’s a huge departure from bands like Carcass and Arch Enemy. Overall, if you are looking for something different check this one out. I give it 9.5/10
Standouts: Yearly Dying, Blind Mountain, Sour Stains
Another Way To Shine- the second album with singer Spice on it has a little bit of a Hendrix sound but on here, I feel like it also has a very Black Sabbath sound/tone on it as well. It’s definitely got that seventies feel to it yet has modern production. It’s a really cool record and definitely worth a listen. I give this one 9/10
Standouts: Picking From The Box, Magic Spell, Blind Mountain
Mantra III- so this one has more of a Hendrix meets Sabbath meets psychedelic rock feel to it. Out of the last two albums, it’s the darkest yet still maintains that heaviness. It kind of is an up and down record but overall, it’s worth a listen. I give this one 7/10. Not quite as strong as the last couple albums.
Standouts: Send Me a Smile, Broken Morning, Monster Astronauts
AD Astra- so this is probably my first time hearing this band and was also the first album I bought of theirs. I think I kept hearing or reading interviews where Michael was mentioning this project so I thought I’d check it out. If you are going to get into this band, start with this album. It’s so damn good and the guitar work on it is fantastic. Definitely a 10/10
Standouts: Left Brain Ambassadors, The Goddess, Save Your Soul
On Fire- so this is the second album I bought from them and it’s the first with new singer Janne “JB” Christoffersson from Grand Magus. I actually think I bought this one and the last album at the same time but I must say, JB’s vocals aren’t a huge departure from Spice’s vocals and it’s easy to see why they picked him as the replacement singer. Personally, I don’t think this one is quite as strong as the previous album but that’s just my opinion. It has some really good songs but a few are skipable. I will say that this has some psychedelic elements that are reminiscent of a band like Led Zeppelin. It’s really cool. I give this one 8.5/10
Standouts: Street Fighting Saviours, Killing Time, Fejee Mermaids
Demons- this is a great record. I mean here they seem to delve deeper into 70’s rock. Listening to this album you can hear the influences on here. JB’s vocals really match the music and here you can hear stuff like Rainbow and Deep Purple and even some UFO. It’s all done in an interesting sort of way and of course when you hear a guitar player like Michael Amott, you can tell it’s him (at least I can). If you are a fan of this style of music, check this album out. Sadly, it’s the last with JB on vocals. I give this one 9/10
Standouts: Throwing Your Life Away, Treading Water, Salt In Your Wounds
Return To Zero- so this is the first record to feature new vocalist Apollo Papathansio and if you don’t know who he is, he used to be the vocalist in a band called Firewind (check those guys out). Now up until now, they hadn’t really sounded like a stoner rock band but on here I’d say they do. What really stands out are the keyboards. They just seem to fit anytime they are used and it makes for a dark melodic album and paired with Michael Amott’s guitar playing it all goes together nicely. I give this album 7/10
Standouts: We Are Free, Lost In Yesterday, Believe In Me
Earth Blues- if you are looking for a record that reminds you of Dio, Purple, and Sabbath, this is a record worth checking out. It seems to be more upbeat than the previous album. The guitar work is excellent and the keyboards remind me a lot of old school Deep Purple. You can tell that everyone who made this record has really good chemistry. There are a lot of really good songs on this and I give this record 10/10
Standouts: Hello Sorrow, Turn The Tide, Dead End Town
Sunrise to Sundown- I’d have to say that this one is a continuation of the last album. It’s got that new school hard rock sound blended perfectly with that old school 70’s sound. I think it’s safe to say that Apollo has “found his groove” here because again like the last record, everything flows really well. The vocals and keyboards all remind me of Deep Purple while the guitar playing is very modern sounding. To me this one and the last one are very neck and neck but I give this one 9.5/10.
Well if you are wanting something new and different I’d say give these guys a listen especially if you are craving 70’s style hard rock. People say these guys are a stoner rock band but I don’t see it. I would definitely love to see these guys live. If you are into bands like Grand Magus I would also say check these guys out especially the two albums that JB was on. I’ve seen their current singer Apollo with Firewind (opening for Arch Enemy of all bands) and I can honestly say that this is a better band for him. Anyway do check these guys out. You won’t be disappointed.
Album Rankings:
- AD Astra
- Earth Blues
- Spiritual Beggars
- Demons
- On Fire
- Another Way To Shine
- Sunrise To Sundown
- Mantra III
- Return To Zero
Sinister Reviews 