Spirits of the Dead play a brand of prog-tastic classic rock that instantly seems fresh yet familiar: the favourite album you have only just discovered. Blending thick walls of guitar with opulent keyboard work and atmospheric drums, Spirits of the Dead have taken the best bits of 70s hard rock and fused them with a very 21st century approach to music-making.
The album is topped and tailed by what could be considered its best songs: opener White Lady/Black Rave is a rollicking prog number, laden with rich organ tones while final track Spirits of the Dead is a thundering juggernaut of a head-banger. At over eight minutes long each, neither feels overly long, and neither outstays its welcome; instead, the songs firmly cement into our minds just how talented and exciting Spirits of the Dead are.
The Waves of Our Ocean is another exciting tour de force through the intricacies of progressive rock with guitars wailing over a deliciously chunky bassline, before leading into the decidedly quieter My Wild Dream. Elsewhere on the album, tracks like Fields of Gold ooze charm and ingenuity, boasting killer licks and slick production throughout.
All in all, Spirits of the Dead have, with this self-titled debut, formed a solid base for themselves. Building upon the traditional classic rock sound, it would be easy to compare them to fellow modern rockers like Rose Hill Drive, however Spirits of the Dead have indeed made this sound their own; capturing the dizzying heights and chasmic lows of their native Norwegian landscape.
Spirits of the Dead is out on the 29th of September via White Elephant Records.
For more information visit www.myspace.com/spiritsofthedeadmusic
For more information visit www.myspace.com/spiritsofthedeadmusic
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