SPIRITUAL BEGGARS
On Fire
Music For Nations Ltd./Koch Records
· Swedish stoner metal to soothe the savage beast.
It’s been two long years since Halmstad, Sweden’s Spiritual Beggars released Another Way to Shine, and during this conspicuous absence the band has undergone a significant lineup change. The sputum-gurgling rage of singer "Spice" has been replaced by the clean-cut vocals of former Grand Magus member J.P. As always, guitarist Michael Amott (formerly of Carcass and also currently of Arch Enemy) puts out the lardy Steppenwolf power chords with enough fervour to bring the house down. The Beggars know how to pour it on thick, meshing mind-expanding psychedelia with cold metallic cynicism. While On Fire’s heat fades slightly towards the end, highlights such as the straight-up headbanger "Young Man, Old Soul" provide enough oomph to drive this album home.
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