Next year marks the 20th anniversary of Spiritual Beggars, a band who helped lay the foundations for Sweden as one of the best heavy rock scenes in the world at a time when few others around the world could be bothered to give a crap. A lot has changed in the group since then — founding guitarist Michael Amott (also of Carcass/Arch Enemy) remains the key figure — but even their 2010 outing, Return to Zero (review here) was brimming with the love of classic rock that has served over the years as the band’s defining principle.

Today, Roadburn sent over word that Spiritual Beggars will play as part of the 2013 Afterburner lineup on Sunday, April 21. Dig it:

Sweden’s Classic Rock Heavyweights Spiritual Beggars Confirmed For Roadburn 2013 Afterburner

Roadburn extremely excited to welcome Michael Amott‘s classic rock heavyweights, Spiritual Beggars to the 2013 Roadburn Festival Afterburner on Sunday, April 21 at the 013 venue in Tilburg, Holland.

“Back in the early 90’s, Roadburn founder Walter Hoeijmakers was one of the very first supporters Spiritual Beggars had in Europe”, says Michael Amott, “His unbridled enthusiasm for our music back then when most people didn’t ’get it’ meant so much to us. It’s a great feeling to now play his fantastic festival and celebrate the staying power of Spiritual Beggars and the Roadburn concept together!  We’re releasing a new studio album and celebrating our 20th anniversary as a band in 2013, and I really can’t think of a better way to start the party than at the esteemed Roadburn Festival?!?”

Since their formation in the early 90s, Spiritual Beggars have been at the forefront of the burgeoning stonerrock scene, raising the benchmark for stoner metal bands around the globe through a succession of much acclaimed albums that redefined the genre. Whether it’s Another Way To Shine, Mantra III, Ad Astra, On Fire or 2010?s Return To Zero, which features new singer Apollo Papathanasio, all of these albums deliver a masterful homage to the rock sensibilities of Deep Purple, Rainbow, Uriah Heep or even Trouble, but also to the blistering guitar heroics of Frank Marino and Mountain‘s Leslie West.

The trademark Spiritual Beggars approach of vintage hard rock songwriting, augmented by super-heavy, modern production values give way to Michael Amott‘s (ex Carcass / Arch Enemy) uncanny, impressive riffage, thoughtful, fluid solo’s and strong melodies,  and when paired with Per Wiberg‘s stellar Hammond excursions and Apollo Papathanasio‘s great expressive vocal range,  you’ll get the quintessential 70s rock band!

Spiritual Beggars‘ Roadburn Afterburner appearance will mark a great return to the stage, as the band has only played a handful of rare performances over the last few years. A new album is scheduled for a 2013 release.

Roadburn Festival 2013 will run for four days from Thursday, April 18th to Sunday, April 21st, 2013 (the traditional Afterburner event) at the 013 venue in Tilburg, Holland. Tickets for the Afterburner are still available!