Swedish heavy metallers RAM have unveiled their latest single, “Night Blade,” accompanied by an official music video. The track is taken from the band’s forthcoming full-length Against, set for release on October 9th via Metal Blade Records.
Built around a deliberately straightforward, old-school metal riff, “Night Blade” finds RAM looking back to the riff-driven heavy metal of the 1970s and early ’80s while maintaining the aggressive character that has defined the band throughout its career.
Vocalist Oscar Carlquist explains:
“The return of the riff! Before writing this song, I had been contemplating about the fact that ‘70s and early ‘80s metal was a lot more about the riff than what you hear and have heard for a long time. I wanted to bring that back and wrote a typical super simple oldschool riff to carry the song. A perfect song to headbang to.”
Watch RAM’s “Night Blade” video:
The new track follows previously released single “Ghost Emperor” and offers another preview of RAM’s first studio album in nearly seven years.
RAM Return With Against
Following 2019’s The Throne Within, an album shaped heavily by spiritual and metaphysical themes, Against turns its attention toward something more immediate: reaching the point where pressure becomes intolerable and resistance becomes the only response.
That sense of defiance runs throughout the record and ultimately provides its title. For RAM, heavy metal remains an act of sonic rebellion, and Against deliberately rejects the increasingly narrow categorization of metal into countless subgenres.
Musically, the band have also stripped things back. Guitarists Harry Granroth and Martin Jonsson retain their sharp, aggressive tones while embracing a recording philosophy influenced by classic records from Dio, MSG and Sweet. Rather than pursuing an overly polished production, RAM sought an honest and direct sound built around the performances themselves.
The same philosophy extends to the songwriting. Compared with some of the band’s more elaborate previous material, the songs on Against emphasize precision, memorable riffs and economy, allowing restraint to carry as much weight as technical complexity.
Carlquist also created the album artwork, placing RAM’s familiar ram-horned skull emblem at its center rather than surrounding it with the dense symbolism of previous covers.
As the band declares: “Fear the return of the Heavy Metal Tyranny!”
Against Tracklist
- Obsession
- Ghost Emperor
- One Vs. All
- Abattoir
- Out of Control
- Leaving
- Against
- Night Blade
- Rising Again
- 1984
- The Final Hour
Against will arrive October 9th on CD, digital and several vinyl variants, including standard 180g black, Clear Lilac Marbled, limited Purple Melt, Crystal Clear Blackdust and Silver Black Splatter editions. Pre-order
RAM Announce Bassist Change
The upcoming album also marks the end of an era for RAM. After 17 years with the band, bassist Tobias “Tobbe” Petterson has announced his departure.
Petterson has been an integral part of RAM both in the studio and onstage, but the band stresses that the split is an amicable one.
“Petterson will always remain a part of the RAM family and we part as brothers, still united by the power of heavy metal.”
Moving forward, RAM will be joined by new bassist Desekrator, known for his work with Voodus and Stormdeath. A longtime friend and fan of the band, RAM describe him as already being deeply familiar with their musical identity and “the true spirit of RAM.”
The band adds: “Onward Upon The Black Path!”
Petterson will make his final appearance with RAM at the band’s Against record release show on October 9th at Skjulet in Gothenburg, where they will perform alongside Portrait.
RAM Recording Lineup
Oscar Carlquist — Vocals
Morgan Pettersson — Drums
Harry Granroth — Guitar
Martin Jonsson — Guitar
Tobias Petterson — Bass