When you churn out the riffs for two of the heaviest bands in the world i.e. Arch Enemy and Carcass, I'm guessing you have to have another outlet to let off steam once in a while.  When that need arises Michael Amott has a bit of a shit-hot little classic rock troupe in the form of Spiritual Beggars to satisfy that particular requirement.  Ably supported by bassist and fellow Arch Enemy comrade Sharlee D'Angelo, Opeth ivory-tinkler Per Wiberg and Firebird drummer Ludwig Witt, he's got a band of kindred spirits who seem to effortlessly bring the heady days of Deep Purple, early UFO and Classic Sabbath hurtling into 21^st century.  Throw new vocalist Apollo Papathanasio into the mix and you almost feel that you're in the front row in Osaka in August 1972, watching 'Made In Japan' unfold in front of you.  Filling pretty big shoes in the shape of previous vocalist JB, who left to concentrate on Grand Magus, Apollo has a vocal delivery reminiscent of both Gillan and Coverdale in equal measures.

The songs that make up this, their seventh album (that's pretty damned prolific for a side project!) seem to have an effortless ease to their structure.  Huge riffs drift into keyboard augmented refrains via driving rhythms and some really blistering lead guitar work.  I'm talking solo's and melodies of the highest order.  Take Blackmore, Schenker, Chapman, Robertson, Gorham and throw them into a blender and out comes a guitarist's dream formula.  All forming integral parts of great songs mind you, there's no Malmsteen guitar wank for guitar wanks sake here.

Opener proper "Lost In Yesterday" could open a Coverdale fronted Sabbath/Purple hybrid album, the dense riffs and swooping vocals giving way to a Hammond organ refrain and wailing guitar solo.  "We Are Free" should have been played at the Reading Festival in 1977, with its Hemeling can-in-hand fuzzyheaded vibe.  Great stuff, with another monstrous Amott solo. "Coming Home" is equal parts Thin Lizzy and UFO.  Think Phil Lynott singing on 'Force It'.  But don't think plagiarism exisits here, as all these songs have huge smatterings of the here and now.  I mean Blackmore would have killed for Amott's guitar sound and tone and you can hear the much heavier influences of most members other bands simmering away under the surface.  'Return To Zero' really does have that great feel good classic rock vibe and one thing that always gets me all nostalgic and wins me over every time is those Proper Fucking Guitar Solos - I love em.

Anyway enough of my twaddling and dew-eyed nostalgia I'm off to buy a pair of Gentle Folk flared jeans and smash up a white Stratocaster.  Come and join me.

http://www.myspace.com/spiritualbeggars