The Norwegian band Spirits of the Dead formed in 2007 and their new self titled album has just been released. Consisting of Ole Øvstedal (guitars), Ragnar Vikse (vocals), Geir Thorstensen (drums) and Deadly Nightshade (bass, keyboards) the band plays a brand of stoner rock mixed with a heavy dose of psychedelia with a definite nod to the 70s firmly entrenched. Crunchy power chords, heavy rhythms and pulsating bass dominate many of these seven tunes. Keyboards are also used, never dominating the overall soundscape but are nevertheless effective in filling out the band's sound.
The album kicks off with the organ driven "White Lady/Black Rave" complete with stabbing shards of electric guitar and a great melody. You will swear this is some long lost band from an earlier decade or maybe its just shades of Purple all over again. The slower sections give the band a chance to delve into some neat atmospherics before returning to that steady driving beat that rips through much of the album. The punky yet melodic "The Waves of Our Ocean" follows suit reminding me of early Stranglers. Listen for some outstanding bass playing courtesy of Nightshade (love the name by the way)! The fuzzed out power chords of "Red" demonstrates stoner rock at its best harkening back to Sabbath's younger days before being infused with interesting effects, lively bass and jangly rhythms only to return to its hard rock beginning. The psychedelic drenched title track mixes slower and harder sections never losing site of those melodic moments that make this album so good.
This is a solid release from a new band that should be making some waves, if not now then in the foreseeable future. If they keep writing solid material like this who knows how good they could become? Recommended for lovers of stoner rock everywhere!
Track Listing:
1. White Lady/Black Rave
2. The Waves Of Our Ocean
3. My Wild Dream
4. Red
5. T.I.T. (Traveller In Time)
6. Fields Of Gold
7. Spirits Of The Dead
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The Norwegian band Spirits of the Dead formed in 2007 and their new self titled album has just been released. Consisting of Ole Øvstedal (guitars), Ragnar Vikse (vocals), Geir Thorstensen (drums) and Deadly Nightshade (bass, keyboards) the band plays a brand of stoner rock mixed with a heavy dose of psychedelia with a definite nod to the 70s firmly entrenched. Crunchy power chords, heavy rhythms and pulsating bass dominate many of these seven tunes. Keyboards are also used, never dominating the overall soundscape but are nevertheless effective in filling out the band's sound.
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