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Battle Ram: Long Live the Ram
Battle Ram: Long Live the Ram
(Traditional) Heavy Metal
3.5/5.0
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My Graveyard Productions
by Craig Hartranft, 07.04.2013
After better than a decade in the Italian metal scene, a demo, and subsequent EP, Battle Ram finally presents their first full-length album, Long Live the Ram. Perhaps the title is meant to be prophetic with the band sticking around in the future for a few more albums
Battle Ram: under the light bulb.
Most of the material here was recorded better than four years ago, with vocals of Franco Sgattoni recorded later. The bonus track, Dark Command, dates back to the original demo recording from 2001. Essentially, Battle Ram is after old school Eighties heavy metal. Think Manilla Road, Jag Panzer, and Iron Maiden among other references.
Long Live the Ram is a rather uneven album at the start, even taking a couple of tracks to truly get started or capture your interest. The opener The Stone nearly defeats the album as it's trudging heavy only spared by a brief solo. Burning Lives, a speedier number, finds Battle Ram offering some interest. But Burn With Me, also rather speedy at times, gets things going. Especially notable is the instrumental breakdown with a fine bass line two thirds in.
After this things get dodgy again. Road of Light, inspired by Manilla Road, is a nice instrumental segue. Of the next six songs, the best are likely Battering Ram and In The Fallout, perhaps the best song here, and maybe the ode to heavy metal, I Am HM. The bonus track from 2001, Dark Command, shows the band's potential at a very early age, but sometimes feels a bit rigid, especially the guitar solo. There's much to say for persistence, determination, and plain old hard-head stubbornness to keep a band going and getting their music heard. Maybe this is Battle Ram's best strength. Recommended for true metal fans everywhere.
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In Short
Essentially, Battle Ram is after old school Eighties heavy metal. Think Manilla Road, Jag Panzer, and Iron Maiden among other references.
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