Nice to see bands coming out of the woodwork who have obviously studied their old school heavy metal. You know, classic Judas Priest, Iron Maiden, Cirith Ungol, Iced Earth, Sanctuary, Manowar, Mercyful Fate, King Diamond, Liege Lord, Fates Warning, and the like. Sweden's RAM deliver a primal burst of early 80's style metal, with a healthy nod to the NWOBHM for good measure, here on their sophomore effort Lightbringer, out now on AFM Records.
Wailing vocals, tight rhythms, catchy metal anthems, and kick ass guitar work-that's what makes up the sound of RAM. Lead belter Oscar Calquist has some serious pipes, invoking Warrel Dane as well as King Diamond on high energy bashers "Awakening The Chimaera" and "Ghost Pilot (MI II)", as he screams to the upper echelon of the heavens. Of course, it wouldn't be a classic sounding metal album without some serious crunch-o-rama from guitarists Harry Granroth & Daniel Johansson, and the duo don't disappoint, whether it be laying down massive riffage on the 9-minute epic "Suomussalmi (The Few Of Iron)", or a combination of bone crunching riffs and tasty leads on tracks like "Lightbringer", "In Victory", or the thrashy "Blood God".
Time and time again, Sweden seems to pump out one solid metal band after another, regardless of the style or genre. Add RAM to that list, and Lightbringer to your next purchase shopping cart, especially if you like classy sounding vintage heavy metal.
Track Listing
1. Crushing The Dwarf Of Ignorance 1:36
2. Lightbringer 4:28
3. In Victory 4:17
4. Awakening The Chimaera 4:23
5. Ghost Pilot (MI II) 5:35
6. Suomussalmi (The Few Of Iron) 9:03
7. Blood God 3:28
8. Titan 6:03
9. The Elixir 6:45
10. Prelude To Death 3:04
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