Review Summary: The equivalent of musical time travel, the Swedish stoner group’s eighth record feels like a lost hard rock classic from the 70’s. Expect it came out in 2013. Crazy times we live in…
Let’s face it: The resurgence of 70’s hard rock is very evident weather we’re talking about the old foxes like Deep Purple, Uriah Heep or even Black Sabbath returning with new records or new younger groups trying to emulate the sound of these bands while also adding their own unique flavor to the mix. Spiritual Beggars on the other hand represents a different kind of road. Even though their music always rooted in classic hard rock, 60/70’s psychedelia and the blues-driven nature of early heavy metal they started out as a representative of the starker, hazier desert rock scene in the mid 90’s. However as time went by, they slowly stared to strip down their music and it became more straightforward and started to bear more and more resemblance to the ones who were the biggest influences.
With the arrival of singer Apollo Papathanasio the journey into their musical past has come in full circle. Apollo’s highly melodic and diverse vocal abilities have made the band fully embrace the spontaneous and instinctive feeling better than ever, as well as pulling no punches the songwriting department. While “Return to Zero” has caught them in a transitional moment, “Earth Blues” is the warmest, most cohesive and dynamic release the band has created so far, with every single note being a crystal clear representation of their fully developed sound.
The album establishes itself just from the opener “Wise as a Serpent”: Groovy and immensely infectious hard rock accords with an old-school, murky, fuzzy yet accessible guitar tone which has an incredible dynamic with Per Wilberg’s Hammond organ. Pretty much the same way how Ritchie Blackmore and Jon Lord enforced each other in the legendary Mark II years of Deep Purple. In fact the likeness between Purple and most songs on “Earth Blues” is almost eerie-like, put thanks to the minimal yet important presence of modernized elements they don’t come off as cheap epigonism but respectful appreciation of their musical legacy. Upbeat and fast paced rockers like “Turn the Tide” and “Hello Sorrow” grab the listener just by the first time like the best Beggars songs do, “Sweet Magic Pain” begins with some heavier riffs but the middle part is a piano-driven more quiet part with atmosphere and beautiful guitar work from Amott.
In fact in many angles this is probably the most melodic record the Beggars made, since Wilberg’s keyboards have an even bigger presence and mid-paced, or sometimes relaxed songs are also very present like “Dreamer” where Apollo showcases the full range and power in his voice which is also very close to Ian Gillian’s. “One Man’ Curse” and “Too Old to Die You” showcases high amounts of energy while also benefiting from Sharlee D’Angelo’s funky basslines. The second half also showcases incredible musicianship in songs like the epic and hymn-like “Kingmaker”, the scorching “Road to Madness”, the very apply titled “Freedom Song” that sounds just as uplifting as you would imagine. “Dead End Town” is the perfect representation of well-delivered and extremely catchy simplicity. It’s short (2 and a half minute) and elegant the way good rock songs used to be in the past. “Legends Collapse” represents the grand closer that feels like the soundtrack of the apocalyptic album cover.
I’m pretty much going on a loop here but I just can’t simply deny how good the performances are by each individual band member. Michael Amott’s sharp, bluesy riffing oozes from flimsiness and creativity (something that is long gone from Arch Enemy) his solos are full of life, beauty and harmony. Per Wilberg’s keyboard are a pure delight to listen to and the way he makes himself an integral and important part of the band’s musical texture is just amazing. Apollo hits every note and high with sheer perfection, always fitting his voice to the tempo and style of each individual song and the rhythm section is tighter than spandex on a 350-pound woman.
It is really amazing how far Spiritual Beggars has come throughout the years and how loyal they remain to the musical standard they set up. Every album from them is a testament of their skills and knowledge of what makes a good hard rock record, and “Earth Blues” is no different. An extremely enjoyable and mature album that carries the torch and all the goods that made this genre on the first place.
