Following their successful "Ad Astra" album, Sweden's Spiritual Beggars return with a new front man and a brand new album, titled "On Fire", which shows the band in full-on hard rock mode. The heavy, yet melodic and groove-laden songs sport, (virtually) no trace of stonerrock or doom. A close reference point for the overall sound of the album is "Burn"-era Deep Purple and late-70's Rainbow.

This time 'round the grooves are tighter and the album is less jam-oriented but the Spiritual Beggars still take no prisoners; in fact, this is the band at its peak. "On Fire" has everything to make the classic Beggars-sound, topped of by a modern 'in your face' production; blistering guitar leads pealing over massive riffs, pummeling rhythms bolstered by Hammond organ, lots and lots of volume, and a surprising new genuine hard rock pose.

With the core element of the band still intact, Michael Amott [guitars], Ludwig Witt [drums] and Per Wiberg [keyboards], the album's highlight is new singer "JB" from Grand Magus. Sounding like a cross between Glenn Hughes and David Coverdale, he adds mood, soul and a bluesy touch to the "ours go to eleven" Marshall amps and headbanging approach of "One Fire."

To sum up, this is truly an excellent album and it propels Spiritual Beggars to the top of the contemporary hard rock scene, coming across like a veteran super group as well as a kick-ass live act.

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