March 19, 2024

SPIRITS OF THE DEAD – RUMOURS OF A PRESENCE

Spirits Of The Dead – Rumours Of A Presence

 

THE END RECORDS

 

9.12.13

 

I’ve got to admit to a bit of a penchant for the longform, for music that sees a band stretch and bend the template, playing with it and tickling the aural palate with the variations. And, like Prince said “there’s joy in repetition” too. Hence an admiration for late sixties jamming bands as well as a more recent taste for the churning immobility of stoner rock. Spirits Of The Dead are a fusion of the two and the joy in hearing a guitar line soaring out of a jam that has hit a lovely repeating groove has psychedelic properties.

 

Norway’s Spirits Of The Dead have a previous album and an excellent long EP (The Great God Pan – reviewed on Vanguard) that show much the same amazing ability to groove lengthily and atmospherically in a mind-twisting way. Harking back to bands of the early seventies with boogie rock meeting progressive concepts, this could have been a revivalist band had not more modern sensibilities been brought into play as well. Still, this would be recognisable to a flares-wearing long-hair back in the day, just as it will tickle the fancy of people who like bands like Bong. Responses might vary from gentle swaying to pounding clenched fists to blessed-out serenity from overloaded synapses.

 

Definitely not a nostalgic band, Spirits Of The Dead show an alacrity and affinity for psychedelia that belies their years.

 

www.spiritsofthedead.com

 

Ross McGibbon

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