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[8.5/10] With Arch Enemy enjoying some well earned downtime from recording and touring, guitarist Michael Amott has once again turned his attention to his other project Spiritual Beggars, who have been absent from the scene for some years due to the busy schedule of those involved within the group. Five years after the release of Demons and their live DVD Live Fire!, the Swedish classic/stoner rock outfit are back with their new album, Return To Zero.
With such a lengthy gap between releases, it’s not all that surprising to see that Spiritual Beggars have undergone a bit of a line-up reshuffle, with bassist Roger Nilson and Grand Magus vocalist Janne ‘JB’ Christoffersson parting ways with the group (comprising of Amott, Opeth keyboardist Per Wiberg and Firebird drummer Ludwig Witt). Filling in those vacancies are Firewind vocalist Apollo Papathanasio and Witchery/Arch Enemy bassist Sharlee D’Angelo. While D’Angelo’s involvement within the group is without question, some may have some concerns about Papathanasio taking up the vocalist position, given that his past is predominantly as a vocalist to a host of power metal outfits. But if the truth be told, Papathanasio is a perfect fit for the band, and as natural as original vocalist Christian ‘Spice’ Sjöstrand.
After a brief instrumental introductory piece (namely the title track “Return To Zero”), SB get the album underway in “Lost In Yesterday,” which is surprisingly downbeat, heavy and slower than what you would expect from an album opener from the band. But despite its change of pace, Amott’s lead work is as impressive as ever, while Wiberg’s rich keyboard tones remain an important key ingredient to retaining a strong ‘70’s vibe of the band’s overall sound. But its Papathanasio’s vocals out front that will no doubt steal most of the limelight, and rightfully so. He proves that there’s more to his vocals than what first meets the ear, with his ability to pull off the classic/stoner rock well and truly proven throughout here.
The up-tempo “Star Born” and the Black Sabbath (“Hole In The Sky”) influenced “We Are Free” are classic Spiritual Beggars with their rich keyboard presence and Amott’s classic retro riffs, while the heavy and almost dooming groove like “The Chaos Of Rebirth” is another rocking effort, and one where Papathanasio showcases his diversity as a vocalist with a powerful voice.
The slow and tribal-like “Spirit of the Wind” is something quite different from the band with its subdued sound and gentle build, and the sort of track that will take many by surprise.
Moving toward more familiar terrain is the rocking “Coming Home,” the groove based “Concrete Horizon” (which nicely reworks the riff from Michael Schenker Group’s “Desert Song”) and the uplifting “A New Dawn Rising,” while the catchy “Believe In Me” reveals a touch of Deep Purple influence within the band’s songwriting.
The heavyweight “Dead Weight” is a solid song but otherwise a little lacking in the hook department when compared to some of the other heavier tracks on the album. But making up from the song is the closing piano ballad “The Road Less Travelled,” which is something you wouldn’t associate with the band, but a winner nonetheless.
Overall, Return To Zero is a return to form for the band, and one that proves that despite a couple of releases that felt like the band were treading water (namely 2002’s On Fire and Demons), the time away and line-up change within their ranks has been to their benefit. Album number seven from the Swedes is by far their strongest effort since their classic Ad Astra.
www.spiritualbeggars.com
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