RAM - Sudden Impact

*=Staff's pick	Sudden Impact* Judgement And Punishment Machine Invaders* Blessed To Be Cursed Infuriator* Black Path Disturbing The Priest*

Genre	Heavy Metal	Oscar Carlquist	Vocals
Tracks	7	Harry Granroth	Guitar
Runningtime	33 Min.	Daniel Johansson	Guitar
Label	Black Path	Leif Larsson	Bass
Release	20 July 2005	Morgan Pettersson	Drums
Country	Sweden	-	Keyboards
Similar artists	Judas Priest

This new Swedish metal hope has apparently taken a lot of influence from a band called Judas Priest. Sometimes it is even hard to hear the difference, for example the twin guitar work in Sudden Impact and Oscar Carlquists screaming voice in Judgement And Punishment. But one can also hear some traces of thrash. Overkill's latest albums come to my mind when I hear Blessed To Be Cursed and Infuriator. The latter has the most distinct riff on the record. The cover of Black Sabbath's Disturbing The Priest is a potent version of a great song.

The band claims to have found the perfect blend of metal: not too brutal, not too melodic, not too retro and not too modern. Well… in these aspects I'll give them right, but when they claim to be original and innovative I'm more sceptic. This is classic heavy metal, as known by bands like Judas Priest, no more - no less. And that is good enough as long as the songs are as great as they are. It is after all the most full-fledged style of music ever invented… So why change the winning concept? The production is suited for "uncompromising heavy metal", not too overproduced, that is. Oscar Carlquist sure has a great range in his voice, and is perfect for this kind of music.

This is the re-release of their EP from 2003. It might be a bit scarce with six own songs and a cover, but on the other hand there is no room for fillers and you never get the chance to be bored. A full-length album is scheduled to be released this fall however. I'll look forward to that! This is sure a promising start.

Production	Vocals	Compositions
9	9	9

Summary
9 chalices of 10 - David