Out now
Metal Blade Records
·
Swedish heavy metal veterans RAM return with “Against”, their first full-length album since 2019’s “The Throne Within”. Out now via Metal Blade Records, the eleven-track record shifts away from the spiritual and metaphysical themes of its predecessor, instead exploring resistance, defiance and the refusal to submit when pushed beyond reasonable limits.
Recorded at Studio Recordia in Varberg, Sweden, and produced alongside longtime collaborator Johan Reiven, “Against” embraces a raw and traditional heavy metal approach inspired by classic recordings from Dio, Michael Schenker Group and Sweet. Rejecting modern trends and subgenre classifications, RAM have crafted an album rooted in the genre’s original spirit, delivering sharp riffs, powerful melodies and an uncompromising heavy metal ethos.
Led by the single “Ghost Emperor”, “Against” finds RAM reaffirming their commitment to heavy metal in its purest form while continuing their longstanding reputation as one of Sweden’s foremost traditional metal acts.
Review
1. Obsession is a short instrumental that opens up the album. A dark opening riff comes in from the darkness soon joined by punching chords and cymbal smashes throwing their weight around. Get ready to raise your fists for a good bout of classic heavy metal!
2. Ghost Emperor changes tone and gets straight into the thick of it. Pummelling heavy metal kicks from Morgan, riffs and twisted vocal lines from Oscar take and drive this song forward. Interestingly enough the production feels organic and raw and captures that old skool feel. Bands often spend a lot of time polishing their pieces but this is all about the feel the song creates. Either way this a slab of heavy metal that has an eeriness to it that will pull you in.
3. One Vs. All brings the swagger with rolling kick patterns from Morgan and mid tempo rhythms that will get you headbanging in no time. This is one of those heavy metal tracks that you are going to want to crack a beer open to and throw the horns to. I love the vocal lines from Oscar in this song and can imagine listeners singing their hearts out to the lyrics especially to the emotive choruses.
4. Abattoir turns the ignition on and fires up the furnaces. This one comes in fast, hot and heavy and doesn’t slow things down. The guitars of Harry and Martin rip and the adrenaline is injected into the veins of this monster. The song’s focus has a number of repeating ideas that makes the song rely on weight and punishing your eyes than feeling all jazzy. The solo section is particularly excellent feeling like something exploding and letting off steam. If you want a mosh number this one is for you!
5. Out of Control is another mid tempo stomper that brings the chug and thunder. Sometimes you need to break away from the speed and sweat and get into the groove and throw your head around and this is one of those songs you can do that to. There’s a lot of feeling in this track with the huge open chords and the tasty lead work taking on the focus at all the right moments. Another straight to the point good old skool piece of fiery heavy metal!
6. Leaving slows the tempo right down once again throwing weight into the riffs! I absolutely love the dark twists on the end of the guitar phrases. This track is giving me nods to that seventies era of heavy metal where bands like Sabbath were lighting up speakers and getting everyone fixated on their crushing sounds. There are some dreamy moments presented by the choruses where Oscar’s vocals take centre stage and the rest of instruments add their little nuances. Excellent!
7. Against opens with a speeding panned riff, bright illuminated vocals from Oscar and open chords, before shooting off like a rocket. This is upbeat, feel good and full of energy. The album title track is absolutely glorious but what I like the most is the twin harmonies part way through drenched in sunlight and glistening magnificently. The solo section is electric and the vocal delivery from Oscar on the track totally kicks ass. Ultimately this track feels wholesome full of warmth and inviting and will make you want to play it over and over again.
8. Night Blade kicks off with raw, unprocessed drums before unleashing the rest of this beast. Stomping riffs soon take over, while a slow double-kick pulse from Morgan lays the foundation for hungry chugs and rumbling bass from Tobias. It’s a menacing track drenched in atmosphere and pure evil. What’s not to love? The vocals from Oscar occasionally reminded me of Oscar, particularly during the soaring vocal climbs enhanced by subtle organ touches. Then comes a brutal solo that tears straight through the song. Simply put, this is a pure headbanger that drags you into its spell and sends your imagination running wild.
9. Rising Again is another one of those flying tracks that has some sparkle to it. I have always been a fan of songs that bring that feel good vibe and this is giving me that. Anything that makes me feel uplifted and sends a shiver down your spine. From the quick picking and awesome vocal direction to the glowing solo section that takes you towards the clouds and beyond. This is metal magic at its finest.
10. 1984 is a slow song that presents different tones. It starts off gentle, mellow, fuzzy like a memory waking up in your mind. You have the love and the sadness like something is pulling on your heart strings. Almost as if someone is facing sorrow or you’re looking back to the good times. But then you have this edgy approach in certain sections which are more rough around the edges. The vocals are more charged rather than heartfelt. So this constant swing between different feelings and emotions for me makes this song more interesting and engaging.
11. The Final Hour is the final song on the record and I am curious what it has to offer. A lonesome guitar from opens panned to one side getting you ready for what lays ahead. Once again being able to hear the instruments’ tones by themselves displays the band’s approach to a more natural, gritty and unpolished sound. Soon enough it transitions into pounding drums and marching riffs from Harry and Martin that set up the song. The ideas that follow feel more dark, more shrouded and continue that slight evilness that was present in previous songs. The vocal work follows along with this and matches the music perfectly. But as soon as we hit the chorus the vocal delivery jumps to higher registers and brings some more magic. Like previous solos this song does not disappoint on that front. We revisit the songs earlier ideas of powerful dark energy and punch before it comes to a close!
Conclusion
RAM’s “Against” is a powerful and inspired release from a band that proudly carries the spirit of classic heavy metal into the present day, combining timeless riffs and songwriting with a fresh, electrifying energy. Across the album, the riffs hit hard and often, the songwriting stays sharp and memorable, and the performances, especially the commanding vocals and locked-in rhythm section, deliver a level of consistency that makes the record easy to revisit from start to finish. Every track contributes to a cohesive, high-energy listen that showcases RAM at their most inspired and assured, and the album’s blend of classic metal spirit with fresh, electrifying execution makes “Against” a fully deserving and enthusiastic 9/10 recommendation for fans of traditional heavy metal.
