Reviews: RAM, Haunt, Streamer, Callous Master (Matt Bladen)

RAM - Against (Metal Blade Records)

Nearly seven years since Oscar Carlquist (vocals), Morgan Pettersson (drums), Harry Granroth (guitar), Martin Jonsson (guitar) and Tobias Petterson (bass), collectively known as RAM dropped an album but now they come back with Against, a heavy metal record built on defiance, more direct tracks with shorter run times that make an impact and follow the recording mantra that was “cut the bullshit.”

The Swedes in the past have wandered into complexity and showy technicality, but on Against they shun all that to take it right back to the early days with an organic, an analogue sound that is borrowed from the unpolished early heavy metal acts such as Dio and MSG, two bands they state as influences for this album.

It results in an unfussy heavy metal record, unbothered by genre fragmentation, where attacking the listener with riffs you'll want to bang your head to is the purpose. From the rampaging Ghost Emperor and the anthemic 1984, to the choppy One Vs All and the aggressive Night Blade alongsidethe speedy Abattoir and the doom-laden Leaving, there's a lot of classic metal magic on this record.

While the gestation was long the result is another slab of classic metal from RAM. 7/10

Haunt - Setting Course (Church Recordings)

Ah Trevor, you never let me down, constantly and consistently releasing albums that just understand what heavy metal is about. In a world where so many band ride that retro wave of NWOBHM and proto-thrash, Trevor William Church and Haunt always manage to stand above the rest.

Releasing new music pretty much every year, whether that's an album or an EP, he's prolific and whether it's just him or as they are now a band comprised of Church, Joel Dominguez (guitar), Sammy Harman (bass) and drummer Andy Saldate, though Joel has now been replaced by Fili Bibiano.

It really isn't that much of a shift as Haunt for a long time was just Church and he is still the creative brain behind the band no matter who esle is with him and again Setting Course is another high watermark for Haunt.

Wrapped in brilliant production values that have been a constant evolution from Church, the songs also have the own identity, nothing on the record is similar to anything else, and although that ethos of classic heavy metal is retained and it never recycles ideas from previous records.

Running across multiple genre tropes from guitar hungry Hear Me Now, through the classically laced Title Track, the frantic Simple Life and to the speedy Spent Sanity, Setting Course is another intrepid journey through classic heavy metal from Trevor William Church and co. 9/10

Streamer - Into The Void (High Roller Records)

Catalan metal now from Streamer, who return with their third album Into The Void. Following two previous full lengths, and EP and a Demo, this band now have nearly a decade of experience but don't wildly vary their style on album three.

It's classic metal folks, inspired by the NWOBHM, with some US and European influences as well however there's a feeling of a 'lost' record from that NWOBHM period here, from the production to the riffs, it's retro as you can get, Streamer part of new wave of Iberian bands who are inspired by Maiden, Priest, Saxon etc.

Bass led riffs drive a twin axe attack and vocals that have a snarl to them, Streamer are on the darker side of things lyrically but it's an album traditional heavy metal with a bit of a bite. Youthful, talented and inspired by the greats Into The Void won't change the world but it'll get you reaching for the leathers. 7/10

Callous Master - Callous Master (Invictus Productions)

We get a bit darker now with the self titled debut from Callous Master.

Rooted in the beginnings of what we now call 'extreme metal' you can hear the likes of Venom, Mercyful Fate and Celtic Frost here from the opening moments of the first song, also titled Callous Master.

The production is raw, the guitars rawer, the vocals belched from the otherside as they run through 35 minutes of occult, cryptic lyrics inspired by Austin Osman Spare and the Zos Kia Cultus.

They are obviously anti-religion and dogma in general, and if you like those early days where black metal, thrash and NWOBHM were all interchangeable, then you'll be putting this on (probably on cassette) and lighting a candle to the dark lord. 6/10