Demons Be Driven
Spiritual Beggars has long been the side project of former Carcass and current Arch Enemy guitarist, Mike Amott. With other members from Swedish doom metallers Grand Magus, Spiritual Beggars have been churning some of the haziest stoner rock this side of Sabbath.
After the doomy intro track of 'Inner Strength', 'Throwing Your Life Away' kicks in at a mind blowing gallop and the vocals of singer JB sound Bourbon-soaked against the chunky 70's riffs that have more back-end to them than Michelle McManus. 'Salt In Your Wounds' has the honk of Deep Purple and a psychedelic solo to put the icing on the cake. 'One Man Army' has the retro feel of an old Van Halen track and is designed to cruise around in a convertible on a summer night. The dreamy 'Through The Halls' sounds like an ultra mellowed out Sabbath before kicking into some sweet bluesy phrasing. 'Dying Every Day' is filled with enough fuzz to stuff a cushion as this is the kind of stuff Jimi Hendrix would probably be making if he hadn't left this world so early
Mike Amott is certainly a capable guitarist and this is more than just an exorcism of riffs, you can just picture this group tearing it up on main stage at Donington or even jamming in a seedy bar; their sound is flexible, heavy and yet ever so melodic. Probably one of the steadiest bands that are definitely due more credit than they are getting.
'Demons' is a shamelessly good stoner rock record that has enough groove and good vibrations to cave in the bar room floor.