Sweden, home to 9.7 million people. It's the country that gave the world the adjustable wrench, the tetra pak milk carton and the three point seat belt. But the truly fascinating thing about Sweden is the amount of quality music this Nordic country keeps producing. Sweden has spawned more damn fine Metal and Rock 'n' Roll bands in recent times than nuts tightened by wrenches.

SPIDERS, hailing from Gothenburg, have added yet another notch to Sweden's headboard. SPIDERS is a four piece band with a sound that draws from late 60's Rock n' Roll and early 70's Heavy Metal. Singer Ann-Sofie's vocal style also brings a soulful touch to many of the songs on the new SPIDERS record, "Shake Electric." "MAD DOG" opens "Shake Electric" with a thundering "Stooges" like riff, the rabid drums and biting vocals allows "Mad Dog" to rock, roll, and run straight into the album's namesake. "Shake Electric" has a confident swagger that displays huge hooks and strong melodies, and provides one of the albums stand out points. SPIDERS have made the ballsy move to turn down the guitar solo on "Shake Electric" and crack up the harmonica. This has given extra depth, sophistication and allowed the track to hemorrhage cool. "Only Your Skin" really starts to draw out the early 70's sound from "Shake Electric". With the pumping drums, sing along chorus, and wailing guitar, SPIDERS start up a groove that continues for the rest of the album. "Control" has all of the makings of a classic. The early Black Sabbath influence is clear, with its the monstrous Iommi-esq riff and solo. But it's the way SPIDERS utilise the chorus to really hone their own sound, is what makes this album so slick and stylish.

The real stand out on "Shake Electric" is "Hard Times" a soulful, blues laden, ramble through the garden of life. It's one of those songs, that when you hear it, it makes you stop, sit back and breathe. This song really shows SPIDERS at their best and should remind us all that it's the little things in life that make all of the struggles worthwhile. "War of The World" sadly brings "Shake Electric" to a close. The regimented sound of an advancing army is soon, balanced by tumbling riffs and stomping bass. But it's the tempo change half way through, that again show the depth of SPIDERS multilayer sound. "Shake Electric" is a fantastic record; my only criticism is that it isn't slightly longer, I didn't want the fun to end, but then I never do. Therfore, in SPIDERS, Sweden's reputation as musical stronghold continues to be secure.