RAM – Death

April 16th, 2012 by jason

When Metal Blade recording artist RAM’s third full length album Death started, I wasn’t really sure what the hell to think. I seriously thought I was listening to some crazy Dario Argento soundtrack for a George Romero Zombie flick. The title track starts with the sound of wind blowing then ventures into this guitar piece that is a jazzy chord played layered with a funky keyboard sound that is creepy and surreal. It truly is one of the most unique album openers.

Then the first actual track starts, “…Comes From The Mouth Beyond,” and I was instantly hooked. The music is all at once classic 70’s doom style, NWOBHM feeling, and a voice as unique as a Geddy Lee. The band was formed by guitarist Harry Granroth dating back to 1999, born out of his disadin of the metal scene at the time. Death is my introduction to them, and I have to say he has certainly created a sound (along with other band members Oscar Carlquist on vocals, Morgan Petersson on drums, Daniel Johansson on guitar, and Tobias Peterson on bass) that isn’t happening that’s for sure. While stylistically they’re playing a unique brand of throwback doom, there’s this excellent modern groove that pulsates throughout the album, and has an energy all its own. It’s like if Sabbath and Sanctuary had a baby, thus was born RAM.

The album truly inspired me. The sound of it was so unlike anything I have heard (certainly recently) it stood out, and that is precisely what a band should be doing. Playing the music you love, while setting yourself on a path all your own and forging a sound that sets them apart from the rest. From the heavy hitting “I Am the End” to the catchy “Release Me” to the soaring “Defiant,” RAM are definitely a band worth checking out and I will be watching their future in hopes that people will agree that they have something to offer so many other bands fail to provide. And ending just as oddly as it began there’s another odd musical postlude to close out the album. I will be checking out the rest of their albums very soon, if Death is any indication of how good they are.

****

Chris Martin

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