SPIRITUAL BEGGARS – ON FIRE (Limited Edition) – 2002 (SWE) vintage hard rock/stoner rock

Undergoing a major lineup change immediately following the biggest record of your career shouldn't bode well for any band, but doesn't seem to be a big problem for Sweden's Spiritual Beggars, who manage to neatly sidestep almost any transitional difficulties on 2002's On Fire. The fact that control of the group's direction and virtually all its songwriting stems from guitarist Michael Amott explains much of this, so that even the small differences that appear seem very much self-willed rather than accidental. New vocalist J.B. (formerly of Grand Magus) is coached to perfection by Amott, assimilating (but not replicating) the growling, frothing-at-the-mouth style of the departed Spice into his own, somewhat cleaner delivery, which lends greater flexibility to tracks like the radio-ready "Killing Time" and the oddly '70s Whitesnake-ish "Fool's Gold." Injecting their stoner rock with generous doses of Amott's straight-up metal riffing and classically tinged soloing (natural spillage from his other project, the death metal band Arch Enemy) remains one of Spiritual Beggars' more distinctive trademarks, and along with Per Wiberg's very active organ contributions, these are brought to the very forefront on album standouts like "Black Feather," "Young Man, Old Man," and "The Lunatic Fringe." On Fire does lose a little steam toward the end, but all things considered, consistency really should be Amott's middle name, making for yet another fine effort for Spiritual Beggars.

Michael Amott (guitar)
Janne "JB" Christoffersson (vocals)
Roger Nilson (bass)
Per Wiberg (keyboards)
Ludwig Witt (drums)
1 Street Fighting Saviours 4:22
2 Young Man, Old Soul 3:17
3 Killing Time 3:36
4 Fools Gold 4:01
5 Black Feathers 6:29
6 Beneath the Skin 3:51
7 Fejee Mermaid (instrumental) 1:58
8 Dance of the Dragon King 3:04
9 Tall Tales 4:27
10 The Lunatic Fringe 5:18
11 Look Back 5:23
Bonus Track
12 Burden of Dreams 4:41

This album represents a huge change in the Beggars camp. Spice departs after the Beggars biggest album Ad Astra. The first and most obvious change is the new vocalist JB. He brings a raw, blues infected voice to the sound, maybe making the Beggars more accessible. I've heard his voice being compared to that of a bear and that is dead on. The music went from being somewhat Sabbathy to a more experimental Purple/Uriah Heep amalgamation, with Per Wiberg (fantastic keyboards, this man is amazing-check out his work with Opeth) more prominent in the proceedings. Also, the songs seem to come from a real jam oriented place and wierd voicings and colours. Man you don't hear this kind of stuff any more and sounds great from a good stereo. Amott continues to amaze and the rhythm section of Roger Nillson and Ludwig Witt lock in so tight that everything seems effortless. Faves for me include Killing Time (this could have been one hell of a single), Beneath the Skin (what a voice JB has-check out his work in his other band Grand Magus) and lead off cut Street Fighting Saviours, with some awesome guitar/keyboard tradeoffs. And of course, it's still heavy as shit!

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!!!
Rip from CD 256@ (full artwork included)
Download link
http://link-protector.com/262437/