Just as Germany was an epicenter for '90s proto-metal, Swedish bands like Witchcraft, Graveyard, Spiders, and many others have all helped put their country on the metal map. Gothenburg’s Spiders strongly open their impressive 2012 debut album with the party anthem “Weekend Nights”—a throw-all-to-the-wind rocker that picks up on the sentiment of ZZ Top’s “Just Got Paid.” But Spiders rock with more raw riffs than backwoods boogie. This is perfect for frontwoman Ann-Sofie Hoyles, whose bewitching voice soars like a tougher Mariska Veres of Shocking Blue fame. “Hang Man” follows, with an intro riff pulled from early Motörhead—although the amazingly period-correct analog production here and throughout Flash Point has more in common with Lemmy’s late-'60s tenure with Sam Gopal. The vintage guitar tones, flat-wound bass strings, and a drummer who’s not afraid to attach a tambourine to his hi-hat all help make songs like the galloping standout “Love Me” and “Fraction” play like that special moment between hard rock and heavy metal when bands like Blue Cheer reigned in both the ballrooms and the biker bars.