Posted on: July 14, 2011 Posted by: James McQuiston Comments: 0

1. Mighty Mountain
2. Leaves Of Last Year’s Fall
3. Pure As The Lotus
4. The Great God Pan
5. Casting The Runes
6. Goldberry

Spirits of the Dead is a psychedelic-stoner-folk-rock band with one foot in the electric magic of the sixties/seventies and the other in the modern electric rock sound of 2012. Guitarist Ole Øvstedal and vocalist Ragnar Vikse formed this genre blurring four-piece in 2007, and within a year they were already touring Scandinavia and Europe to critical acclaim.

Following success on the road, they recorded their first album live using analogue equipment. It was mastered by George Marino (Led Zeppelin and Jimi Hendrix) giving it a vintage feel. Laden with spider riffs, soaring vocals, progressive interludes and dream-like melancholy.

Spirits of The Dead are unashamedly retro in sound. From the propulsive rhythms of White Lady / Black Rave to the Sabbath-esque doom of the glorious title track, the record basks in authenticity. But they are adding a portion of freshness that bring them out of the retro bag that holds so many striving bands trying to re-capturing the magic.

Influenced by the epic, heavy sounds of Dead Meadow and Black Mountain as much as they are their personal masters of the past – Black Sabbath, Led Zeppelin and King Crimson – the band have put together something wholly convincing and water tight.

Spirits of The Dead self titled album was a well executed and well crafted debut from a band with one eye set on the past and the other fixed firmly forward. Their debut album received great reviews all over the world giving them a growing attention as one to watch.

Voted in as 2010’s 50 finest album of Classic Rock Magazine, and also adding a track on their 15 best songs of 2010 CD.

Their second album The Great God Pan is a much more folk, psychedelic and jazzy record. It takes you immediately on a journey through deep forests, over high mountains, builds you beautiful landscapes and tricks you into the darkest corners of Pan’s Kingdom.We will reveal no more, the music will tell you the tale.

Spirits of the Dead consists of Ole Øvstedal (guitars), Ragnar Vikse (vocals), Geir Thorstensen (drums) and Kristian Hultgren (Bass)

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