If you’re a young, rosy-cheeked metaller then the likelihood is that you would’ve been little more than a glint in the milkman’s eye when the like of Black Sabbath, Blue Öyster Cult and Deep Purple ruled the UK with an iron fist. Yes, “going retro” is down with the kids these days, but Spiritual Beggars do it with such love, passion and unrivaled musicianship that it doesn’t feel like simple bandwagon jumping. But, this is unsurprising considering the line up.
Joining Mike Amott (of Arch Enemy and Carcass fame), are bassist Sharlee D’Angelo (King Diamond), keyboard-tinkler Per Widberg (ex-Opeth), skin-basher Ludwig Witt (Grand Magus) and vocalist Apollo Papathanasio (Firewind). With such diverse background, components of such members’ influences can be heard trickling their way through each song. Giving a difference aural experience with each play. Widberg’s 60s psychedia keys add a mildly intoxicating feel particularly on ‘One Man’s Curse’ and ‘Sweet Magic Pain’, while Papathanasio’s vocals have the power and presence of Dio, but the sass and bluesy rhythmus of David Coverdale on tracks like ‘Hello Sorrow’ and ‘One Man’s Curse’. This album will either invoke a sense of pensive romanticism, or will be a gateway of discovery into the very beginnings of metal. Either way, Earth Blues is a fantastic delve into metal’s glory days.
9/10
Sarah Worsley