Sweden’s Ram have been at the classic heavy metal thing since 2003, crafting six albums with a sound somewhere between classic Judas Priest and Tarot mixed with the grit and grease of Motörhead. I could have sworn I had reviewed their 2009 platter Lightbringer, but it turns out it dropped prior to me joining AMG. That album hit a nerve with me back in the day, and I still spin it fairly often. Follow-ups like Svbversvm and the awesomely titled Rod1 had that 80s magic running free with an extra layer of rough-and-tough aggression laid over the top. They’ve never quite broken through to bigger audiences, but they keep on putting the balls to the wall and screaming for vengeance nonetheless. That brings us to 7th album, Against. It’s the same Ram as before with their usual penchant for big 80s metal hooks, and when they hit their groove, you will be rocked hard and put away sore. Ram indeed!
After the throwaway instrumental opener, Ram headbutt you in the nards good and hard with “Ghost Emperor.” This is the Ram sound congealed in goat tallow and military-grade meth. You get beefy, punchy riffs, thunderous drums, and the acid-drenched vocals of Oscar Carlquist. It’s classic heavy metal through and through, but it has a mean streak and wants to bully you around the block and back. The best part is how damn sticky it all is. You hear it once, and it plants in your head like a slug from a .45. Follow-up “One vs. All” is the kind of rough-and-tumble battle anthem that goes from the promo sump right to the lifting playlist ov Steel in a heartbeat. More burly riffs and rough vocals tell tales of fighting hordes and standing atop piles of vanquished foes. This is what is best in life, and that chorus will make you punch a poodle. The big stuff keeps coming on “Abattoir,” which sounds like a lost cut from Priest’s Painkiller, fortified with early 80s Enforcer and Wolf before being turned loose on the public. It’s MOAR fun than a barrel full of gorillas.
Much to my delight, Against is loaded with badass metal anthems that take names and kick ass. “Out of Control” lives up to its moniker, and the title track features the same raw, punky energy as Iron Maiden’s debut. Even the big mood-piece power ballad “Leaving” hits hard, creating real feelz with a tale of departing life. The chorus is surprisingly poignant and fragile, and it sticks like bubble gum in non-public hair. I could argue that “Night Blade” is somewhat one-note and clunky, but it’s still good fun. Against winds out impressively with 3 killer tracks sure to add more unwanted hair to strange places, and when all is said and done, the album’s tight 42:58 burns by in a flash of chrome and steel. No song runs too long, and nothing feels like filler.
I’ve been an admirer of Oscar Carlquist’s unique vocal style since I first heard Ram. He has a weird raspy delivery that at times sounds like Stu Block after a rough weekend, and there’s a bit of Olof Wickstrand of Enforcer in there too. However, he usually sounds meaner and more menacing, like he’s about to steal your lunch money and give you an atomic wedgie. On tracks like “Ghost Emperor” and Abattoir,” he sounds rough and ugly, but on “Leaving” he sounds forlorn and emotive. His range is weirdly vast, and his screams and high-register wails are intense. Harry Granroth and Martin Jonsson deliver crunchy riffs to drive the war wagon, and they aren’t afraid to poach dueling guitar harmonies from Priest and Maiden. They decorate Against with a great balance of heavy and hooky moments and support Oscar’s crazed vocals adroitly. Big props to drummer Morgan Petterson as well for pounding his way to Valhalla and beyond across the album. His urgent playing adds another layer of panic attack to the Ram rollout, and it hits like an iron bonehead.
Ram have had a good thing going for over 20 years, and have one of the best logos in metal; it’s about time they got more attention for their efforts. Against may just be their golden ticket to greater fame and glory. This is an unruly, uncouth dose of 80s metal done well and designed to leave unsightly bruises. That means this head-on collision with goat skull will be good for you. Maybe not medically, but spiritually. You also may die. Such is life in the ram jam.
Rating: 3.5/5.0
DR: 6 | Format Reviewed: 256 kbps mp3
Label: Metal Blade
Websites: ram-metal.com | ramheavymetal.bandcamp.com | facebook.com/RAMheavymetal
Releases Worldwide: October 10th, 2026
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