Forced Entry

RAM from Sweden is a relatively new upcoming band that play basic and classic Traditional Heavy Metal, all according to the metal school-book. Heavy riffing, good vocalist with a lot of high-pitched screams, melodies with great hooks, lots of guitarsolos. If you mix some Accept, Judas Priest, Iron Maiden and Mercyful Fate – you have what RAM’s concept is all about. And as you (perhaps) already has started to think, I can say this: Hell yeah, what a great debutalbum “Forced Entry” is!

The only flaws on this album is the pretty weak songs “Breaking Through” and the ballad “Burning Scars”. Except for these though, there are plenty of Heavy Metal-gems to be found for sure. Faster, grinding songs in opener “Shadowman”, “Machine Invaders” (with a übercatchy and nice chorus), “The Beast Within” (splendid mid-section) and speedy “Forced Entry”. Then we have some slower, heavy songs that goes in mid-tempo, who also stands for the CD’s most excellence. “Sudden Impact” with it’s headbangable tempo, the swinging “Sea Of Skulls” with nice melodies and the simple yet awesome rocker “Infuriator” in which the vocalist Oscar ends with a shrieking scream. Goosebumps! The clear and raw production is another big plus, and absolutely helps the song to be even better. Really nice sound for being a debut! Also, the band is performing with great skills, still without “overdoing” it too much. Vocalist Oscar have a pretty unique voice and is handling the screams very well. Guitarists Harry and Daniel delivers metal love with them guitars, and the soloing is extremely good.

“Forced Entry” was a real pleasant surprise to me, and it gives a relieving feeling that old-school Heavy Metal is on the rise. The CD is ‘only’ around 45 minutes, but it’s still one hell of a ride. I recommended the album to any fan who’s a fan of the mentioned bands in the beginning, or just anyone that likes 80’s metal and wanna rock!

3 best songs: “Sudden Impact” - “Infuriator” - “Sea Of Skulls”