Photo by Sanna Bäckström
Watch/stream RAM’s “Abattoir” HERE.
“Abattoir” is the latest single from Swedish heavy metal stalwarts RAM. The track comes by way of the band’s impending new full-length (and first in nearly seven years), Against, set for release on October 9th through Metal Blade Records.
Comments vocalist Oscar Carlquist, “‘Abattoir’ is pure speed metal. To me it sounds like a mixture of Bonded By Blood-era Exodus and Accept. A super aggressive song. The lyrics deal with the fact that when push comes to shove the guillotines will be built again.”
Watch RAM’s “Abattoir” video HERE.
Watch RAM’s previously released video for “Ghost Emperor” HERE and “Night Blade” HERE.
While RAM’s previously released The Throne Within full-length was defined by its spiritual and metaphysical themes, Against takes a more grounded approach, focusing on the experience of being pushed beyond reasonable limits and refusing to comply. The album captures that moment of resistance, “that fire of defiance, which ultimately defines its title and message,” as the band collectively states.
Musically, guitarists Harry Granroth and Martin Jonsson continue to favor bridge pickups, maintaining a sharp and aggressive tone. The equipment used on Against reflects a classic approach, contributing to a sound that feels both timeless and direct. Sonically, Against was conceived as a return to classic recording philosophies. Drawing inspiration from the early works of Dio, MSG, and Sweet, the goal was to create an honest and unpolished sound. In a music landscape increasingly divided into countless subgenres, the band positions itself deliberately outside of categorization.
Writes Metal Hammer in part in an advance review of the record, “The Gothenburg-based outfit continues to craft stunningly beautiful, traditional anthems… It is a mystery why RAM aren’t already playing on bigger stages. Anyone with a heart for honestly forged heavy metal who hasn’t yet checked out this band really ought to do so immediately. It doesn’t get much better than this.”
Rock Hard echoes the sentiment, “It offers everything one could want from classic heavy metal: catchy, high-energy hooks, driving twin-guitar harmonies, defiant lyrics, and—of course—riffs, riffs, riffs. What’s more, Against is anything but monotonous: there are songs for an adventurous highway drive, tracks for rocking out and letting loose, and—in the ballad-like ‘Leaving”—something that speaks to the heart. Held together by Johan Reiven’s organic production, this is heavy metal through and through.”
In a 9/10 review, Powermetal.de lauds what is “arguably the best RAM album since Svbversvm,” adding, “Anyone into real heavy metal won’t want to miss this record.”
Ultimately, Against stands as a statement of intent, a reaffirmation of identity and purpose. Or, as they put it themselves: “Fear the return of the Heavy Metal Tyranny!”
RAM’s Against full-length will be released on CD and digital formats as well as vinyl in the following color variants:
180g Black
Clear Lilac Marbled
Purple Melt (Ltd. 300)
Crystal Clear Blackdust (Ltd. 300)
Silver Black Splatter (Ltd. 250)
Find preorders at metalblade.com/ram.
Against Track Listing:
- Obsession
- Ghost Emperor
- One Vs. All
- Abattoir
- Out of Control
- Leaving
- Against
- Night Blade
- Rising Again
- 1984
- The Final Hour
In related news, after 17 years as the bassist for RAM, Tobias “Tobbe” Petterson has decided to step down from the band. Petterson has been a pivotal part of both RAM’s recordings and live shows and his steadfast bass playing and ferocious stage presence will be missed. The band comments, “Petterson will always remain a part of the RAM family and we part as brothers, still united by the power of heavy metal. But the heavy metal tyranny must proceed, new horizons await and these will be shared with our new bass player Desekrator of Voodus and Stormdeath fame. Desekrator has been close to the band for decades and through being a die hard fan he is already well versed with the true spirit of RAM. This combined with his bass skills makes him the perfect replacement for Tobbe. Onward Upon The Black Path!”
Petterson will perform his final show with RAM on October 9th in Gothenburg, the band’s record release show.
RAM Live:
9/12/09/2026 Candelabrum Metalfest – León, MX
10/09/2026 Skjulet – Gothenburg, SE *Record Release Show w/ Portrait
12/04/2026 Spectrum – Murcia, ES
12/05/2026 Peter Rock – Valencia, ES
12/06/2026 Upload – Barcelona, ES
12/07/2026 Urban – Vitoria, ES
3/12-13/2027 Heavy Metal Thunder Fest – Pisek, CZ
4/08/2027 Don´t Panic – Essen, DE
5/20-22/2027 Iron Fest – Ohmbachsee, DE
“After all these years, RAM still perfectly embodies what real metal must be; passionate, Luciferian, antagonistic, and musically overpowering. Oscar’s vocals are some of the best in the genre; fearless and full of intent. A heavy metal soundtrack for the twilight of the world.” – Erik Danielsson, Watain
”Just when you thought it was safe to be dead, RAM resurrects you only to kill you again. I have loved this band since the very start, and Against contains some of their strongest material to date, in terms of both lyrics and music. This is thinking man’s metal of the highest order!” – Christian Lindell, Portrait
“There’s only one band in Sweden making classic heavy metal without it sounding like a pastiche or tribute act to the old days. Oscar is Sweden’s best and most charismatic singer and frontman. Why isn’t this one of the leading bands in the genre? Probably because they are completely uncompromising and refuse to bend the knee or kiss the asses required to reach the biggest stages. Against is every bit as good as everything else they’ve done. Elite!” – Sebastian Ramstedt, Necrophobic/Nifelheim
“After seven years, RAM are finally back with another anthem-fueled album. While remaining true to their roots, they are opening their sound and manage to show a few new angles to their classic heavy metal. Can’t wait to bang my head to ‘Night Blade’ at a show of one of the best live bands of our times!” – S. Castevet, Vulture
“Pure heavy metal, raw and unfiltered. Just my cup of tea!” – Niklas Stålvind, Wolf
RAM Recording Lineup:
Oscar Carlquist – vocals
Morgan Pettersson – drums
Harry Granroth – guitar
Martin Jonsson – guitar
Tobias Petterson – bass
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The post RAM: Swedish Heavy Metal Stalwarts Present “Abattoir” Video/Single From Forthcoming Against Full-Length first appeared on Earsplit Compound.