Spirit Adrift: 20 Centuries Gone (Transparent Sun Yellow Vinyl)

20 Centuries Gone is an unusual entry in the Spirit Adrift catalogue. Released in 2022, the album combines two original Spirit Adrift compositions with six carefully selected cover versions, creating a record that serves as both a celebration of heavy music history and a clear demonstration of the influences that shaped Nate Garrett’s songwriting.

The two originals, “Sorcerer’s Fate” and “Mass Formation Psychosis,” sit comfortably alongside material drawn from several generations of heavy music. Rather than simply reproducing the originals, Spirit Adrift approach each cover with their own massive guitar sound and traditional metal sensibility.

The selection of artists is particularly revealing. Pantera’s “Hollow” is transformed through Spirit Adrift’s heavier doom-influenced approach, while Type O Negative’s “Everything Dies” is a natural fit for the band’s darker side. Metallica’s “Escape” gets another chance to shine, reminding listeners that the often-overlooked Ride the Lightning track contains some fantastic songwriting beneath its complicated reputation.

The album reaches further back into heavy metal history with Thin Lizzy’s “Waiting for an Alibi” and ZZ Top’s “Nasty Dogs and Funky Kings.” Perhaps most fittingly, the collection closes with “Poison Whiskey,” originally recorded by Lynyrd Skynyrd, reinforcing the Southern rock influence that has always existed beneath Garrett’s heavier work.

What makes 20 Centuries Gone work is the connection between all eight songs. Doom, thrash, Southern rock, gothic metal and classic hard rock might appear to be strange bedfellows, but Spirit Adrift expose the common thread running through them: memorable riffs and strong songwriting.

For existing fans, 20 Centuries Gone provides a fascinating look at the musical DNA behind Spirit Adrift. For collectors, it’s a distinctive release that sits outside the band’s conventional studio albums and demonstrates just how broad Nate Garrett’s definition of heavy metal really is.