The drive and will to create “true” metal is something that has permeated literally every single generation of metal fans be it to create a pure heavy metal sound or a pure black metal sound, and no matter which one you pick there’s always a massive amount of bands trying to follow them to the letter. I haven’t seen a respectable “true” heavy metal band since Manowar until today as I’ve come across Ram who brings the true fashion of heavy metal back with a fucking vengeance!

I typically find bands that go for the “true” approach of any kind of metal incredibly weary because it typically leads to an over-pretentious band not focus on making actually quality music that the attempt is all but wasted. Thankfully, Ram is one of those bands that actually takes time and care into their craft so that when it reaches our ears we know it’s not going to be a jumble of fucking shit that feels half-assed. This is one of those bands that has been going for decades now, and to say that they’ve got their sound down to a fool-proof formula would be an understatement as Ram prepares to release their upcoming fifth full-length, “Rod”. While there’s nothing groundbreaking about “Rod”, the whole album is a very entertaining piece of heavy metal that really brings the classic sound to the forefront of what Ram has set out to do and it’s done spectacularly here. The first four tracks are quality pieces of traditional metal resurrected from the early days of the very genre, but the following six tracks are Ram’s first attempt at telling a cohesive story and it turns out being as epic as you’d expect to provide an excellent addition to Ram’s catalog of brilliance. All of “Rod” makes for a modern classic of heavy metal that shows off the excellence that Ram has built for themselves over the years, and it couldn’t be pulled off with any more style than here.

I’m far from impressed with “Rod”, but I can’t say that I didn’t thoroughly enjoy what this band has to offer with this new album. It really brings the classic sound of heavy metal back to life yet again in an admirable attempt versus a weak attempt at being a rip-off Manowar. Ram is successful yet again in doing justice to the idea of true heavy metal, and you’ll be hard-pressed to find a band more active in trying to bring the sound to life.

“Rod” releases on November 3rd via Metal Blade Records!

PRE-ORDER “Rod” via iTunes here.

LIKE Ram on Facebook here.