Spiritual Beggars – Return To Zero

Releasedate: 30-08-2010; Label: InsideOut
By: Sabine van Gameren

The Swedish hard rock band Spiritual Beggars has been around since 1992. A long line of releases followed, “Return To Zero” being the seventh studio full length release of them.

During their existence the band had done two different vocalists, but since 2010 it is Apollo Papathanasio that joined the band for vocal duties. This man seem to fit in the band as he has always been here. Though his vocals are not what really attracts the attention. Michael Amott is the guitarist and he lets himself be heard. It seems so subtle but these riffs of him really set the tone in the music, whether it is the modest sound in the background or the more powerful solo’s, Michael is somehow there to be noticed. Even though the classical rock influences are into their music this doesn’t come with the overkill on guitar which shows that Michael knows exactly when to hold back. The instrumental parts are perfectly balanced on the album. As a little remark on this you can find yourself to be hold back in tempo. It never really comes with a lot of tempo changes and the songs are similar. A little more power, a catchy refrain like for example Shinedown has in their songs would bring the songs to something that sticks in mind a bit longer.
Nevertheless, “Return To Zero” is a decent album that fans of the band can buy without hesitating too much. It suits in the line of their previous releases.

Line Up:
Apollo Papathanasio – Vocals
Michael Amott – Guitars
Sharlee D’Angelo – Bass
Per Wiberg – Keyboards, Piano, Organ
Ludwig Witt – Drums

Tracklist: 01. Return To Zero [Intro] 02. Lost In Yesterday 03. Star Born 04. The Chaos Of Rebirth 05. We Are Free 06. Spirit Of The Wind 07. Coming Home 08. Concrete Horizon 09. A New Dawn Rising 10. Believe In Me 11. Dead Weight 12. The Road Less Travelled 13. Time To Live

Links:
Spiritual Beggars MySpace
Spiritual Beggars Official