Now this one I have been waiting for, RAM fresh from Sweden has just gained a new record deal with AFM records and if 2005’s ‘Forced Entry’ album is anything to go by, traditional metal fans should be in for a treat.
The title track opens the album; if you discount the intro tune, this has all the famous hallmarks of early 80’s Heavy Metal mixed with the bleakness of Mercyful Fate and you can just imagine the bulletbelts and leather jackets that would be mandatory attire to accompany this music. Drummer Morgan Pettersson used to be in B-Thong; remember them? I remember the track ‘Schizophrenic Pavement’ on MTV and the experience he brings to the backline shows, even if this is completely a different style of metal. The drum patterns are simple yet effective and back up the vocal melody and riffs bursting out of the guitars perfectly. ‘Awakening the Chimaera’, has guest vocals by E (Erik Danielsson) from Watain (yes the black metal band). The track itself is laden with classic guitar melodies and vocals in general that would make King Diamond proud. The bouncy fretwork keeps your head bobbing constantly, E’s vocals are the dark and powerful brooding ones, and it actually fits the track perfectly giving a different feel and ever much more metal aggression. ‘Ghost Pilot (MI II)’ has wonderful vocal melodies leading into a cracking solo, all of these songs are arranged to perfection to maximise your listening experience, and I have not found a displeasing track on this CD. ‘Titan’ goes down the Savatage/early-Fates Warning epic journey. Again the vocal melody is arranged with such light and shade, and there are flashes of genius running through the veins of this one whilst this is truly a perfect metal vocal.
Sweden has always produced great bands no matter what genre they play in the metal spectrum. Along with Enforcer and Portrait, RAM are truly flying the flag for real heavy metal with a Wrigley’s Airwaves fresh approach, bringing together all the metal that has passed in the last 20-25 years and unleashing it on a slab of plastic ready to destroy your speakers and get you in trouble with the neighbours. The future is bright indeed.
http://www.ram-metal.com/
http://www.myspace.com/rammetal
http://www.afm-records.de
