RAM
LIGHTBRINGER (2009)
320 KBPS
Seeing that ‘Lightbringer’ is just the second long player in the band’s ten-year career, the Swedish heavy metal brigade of Ram is not exactly what you call productive. The debut album ‘Forced Entry’ releasedin 2005 already showed a pack of young and hungry heavy metal wolves. Personally I can still highly appreciate that album and I’m happy that the new album is finally a fact.
On this second album ‘Lightbringer’ the band has their cards sorted out even better. In the four years between the two albums the band has made a lot of progress as musicians and especially as songwriters. As soon as the band bursts out with the title track right after the intro, I find myself trapped in an intense head-banging spree and that hardly changes for the following 45 minutes. That’s because the album is full of highly catchy, old school heavy metal with a high nostalgic value. The spirit of giants like Manowar, Judas Priest, Iron Maiden and especially King Diamond/Mercyful Fate is constantly present and that guarantees tasty riffing, sharp solos and powerful high-pitched vocals. And that’s exactly how I like my metal meal! I must admit that the Mercyful Fate value is prominently audible this time, but seeing that I’ve always had a warm heart for King and co. I don’t find that disturbing at all. Besides, Oscar Carlquist has developed his singing skills quite a lot and can reach the higher regions without trouble and sings more convincingly that before.
That’s actually all there is to say about ‘Lightbringer’, because this simply is a tasty and straightforward heavy metal album and one that shows a mature, but always enthusiastic band. As a fan of the genre you can purchase this album with an assured heart. I just hope we don’t have to wait another four years for the next album.
On this second album ‘Lightbringer’ the band has their cards sorted out even better. In the four years between the two albums the band has made a lot of progress as musicians and especially as songwriters. As soon as the band bursts out with the title track right after the intro, I find myself trapped in an intense head-banging spree and that hardly changes for the following 45 minutes. That’s because the album is full of highly catchy, old school heavy metal with a high nostalgic value. The spirit of giants like Manowar, Judas Priest, Iron Maiden and especially King Diamond/Mercyful Fate is constantly present and that guarantees tasty riffing, sharp solos and powerful high-pitched vocals. And that’s exactly how I like my metal meal! I must admit that the Mercyful Fate value is prominently audible this time, but seeing that I’ve always had a warm heart for King and co. I don’t find that disturbing at all. Besides, Oscar Carlquist has developed his singing skills quite a lot and can reach the higher regions without trouble and sings more convincingly that before.
That’s actually all there is to say about ‘Lightbringer’, because this simply is a tasty and straightforward heavy metal album and one that shows a mature, but always enthusiastic band. As a fan of the genre you can purchase this album with an assured heart. I just hope we don’t have to wait another four years for the next album.
1. Crushing The Dwarf Of Ignorance
2. Lightbringer
3. In Victory
4. Awakening The Chimaera
5. Ghost Pilot (MII)
6. Suomussalmi (The Few Of Iron)
7. Blood God
8. Titan
9. The Elixir
10. Prelude To Death
2. Lightbringer
3. In Victory
4. Awakening The Chimaera
5. Ghost Pilot (MII)
6. Suomussalmi (The Few Of Iron)
7. Blood God
8. Titan
9. The Elixir
10. Prelude To Death
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