Review Summary: The goddess is for real and I’m pretty sure she’s this album right here.
I can’t quite remember when was the first time I’ve met with “Ad Astra”, the fourth album of Swedish stoner rock group Spiritual Beggars, but I can still recall the amazement and the shivers that ran down my spine when I heard it’s bombastic, heavy and catchy nature. It wasn’t the most complex music I’ve heard, but its raw power and energy was so palpable that it left me breathless and made listen to every song over and over again. Sometimes it’s not easy to write a review for an album because the sheer quality of it is so high it may seem that no amount of description or positive adjective can do justice for the music it contains. To me “Ad Astra” is one of those records, but I’ll be damned if I don’t try my best.
It’s very easy to see how Michael Ammot (founder and lead guitarist) and his partners were building up their sound towards this record. The first two album laid out the basics: powerful riffs combined into a simple yet musically variable structure that hooks the listener instantly. Combining or travelling between the early 70’s hard rock pioneers and the contemporary fuzzy/space-like stoner rockers. Heavy doses of psychedelia, guitar solos that are both sparing yet tasteful and melodic. Not to mention a pitch perfect rhythm section and a soaring characteristic vocalist by the name of Christian Sjöstrand aka Spice. The third record added the atmospheric, Deep Purple-like Hammond organ of Per Wilberg to mix up the usual formula. Thus we arrive to “Ad Astra”, an album that shows a band at its peak both sound and delivery-wise.
The songwriting has always been top notch with the Beggars, but this time Michael Ammot managed to find a way to top himself even more than the previous records. The bouncy, fuzzy yet strikingly heavy and memorable riffs command nearly every song on this record, and given that “Ad Astra” is mostly made out of straightforward rockers that don’t break into free-handed jamming sessions it’s impossible not to get hooked by them. The solos are also amazingly effective and well-delivered, sometimes flamboyant, other times restrained, and even challenging the keyboards in some songs. Ammot believes in the power of well-made simplicity much more than the tripping effects of long-lasting psychedelic adventures, and by this the Beggars resemble closer to their 70’s peers than most bands in the stoner rock genre.
The album’s sound and mixing is colossal. Every instrument is crystal clear, has a refined and well-placed position, but still carry a minimal amount of dirt for the sake of authenticity. Per Wilberg’s keyboards had become even more ominous, setting a perfect accompany to the guitars and building even more atmosphere. The result is amazing, every band members is at the top of their game, yet their playing feels alive, cheerful and coming from instinct rather than mechanical repetition. Spice’s vocals are another highlight as well, with his raspy and searing vocals hitting every good note throughout all the 12 tracks. He has such a magnetic presence that you simply cannot imagine the Beggars without him and I think that says a lot.
The first half contains some the absolute best and catchiest material the band (Left Brain Ambassador, Wonderful World, Save Your Soul, Angel of Betreyal) perfectly mixing mid-paced and faster riffing, and thight 3-4 minute lengths. The latter portion of the record where things go slower and even heavier. Until the Morning’s acoustic opening transforms into an oscillation of a monstrous Sabbath-like main riff, and a floating, more upbeat chorus before throwing some effect-driven breakdowns in the mix. “Escaping the Fool” and “On Dark Rivers” also pack more atmosphere noises, groove, and backing guitar sections, while delivering riffs you can’t get out of your head. The Led Zeppelin-like build-up and solo section of “On Dark Rivers” is probably the reason why this song is my favorite of the whole record. After many aggressive, theatrical rockers the album closes with “Mantra” a slow and calm reflection driven mostly Ludwig Witt’s relaxed drumming and Wilberg’s eerie keyboards. It gradually becomes louder before exploding in the fourth minute mark with a battle between guitars and keyboards, bringing “Ad Astra” to a memorable and amazing finish.
Spiritual Beggars’s first era has ended with album, as Spice left the band shortly after, but my God, you can’t ask for a better farewell as “Ad Astra” marks an absolute musical and creative highpoint for them. The sheer profundity and power of it is an open, honest and enthralling display of everything the band stands for. Personally I don’t care how undervalued, lesser known and less-talked they are in their own community let alone in the hard rock genre itself. With this record they officially proved themselves as one of the best, most consistent and all-around badass bands on this planet. If you haven’t heard this one yet, don’t miss it, it’s truly an unforgettable ride.
