Ram-Zet Intra
Candlelight Records/Tabu Recordings CDL0223 September 6th, 2005
By Jason Jordan
For once, Metal-Archives.com got it right. Ram-Zet are indeed Avant-Garde Black Gothic. And Intra the units third record in five years is a respite from much of the crap thats been shoveled into my stereo over the past few months. While Intra excels on a variety of levels, I doubt its quite as laudable as the more experimental Escape.
Zet (vocals, guitars), it seems, is a talented individual. I write that because the riffing is heavy as hell, yet precision doesnt flounder one bit. The other musicians are on top of their respective games as well, but the passages laced with subtle electronic furnishings are undeniably awe-inspiring. The 4:15 minute mark of Left Behind As Pieces is a prime example of the aforesaid technique, though Enchanted it can be argued is the apex of Intra. In short, the disparities converge in an effort to rip the listener to shreds. What are some of those disparities you ask? Ram-Zet veterans need not be reminded of them: violins, swoon-inducing female vocals, and majestic keyboard arrangements. So what, then, are Intras blemishes? Some may not like Zets inclination to imitate Dani Filth (Cradle of Filth). However, the former sheds the shrieks and remains dignified in doing so. Others may become tired of the ubiquitous female vocals, as did I, plus the compositions just wont stick with you like your STDs. And, when Ram-Zet ascended into softer ramblings, I found myself losing interest.
This diverse sextet wasnt quite able to slash its way through my top contenders for the crown of 2005. In spite of that, Ram-Zet have crafted a worthy follow-up to 2002s Escape, and the record concurrently succeeded in becoming a late bloomer considering its nearly October. The band will clash with venomous rivals in the coming months, for sure, but I think theyre capable of standing their ground.
8.5/10
Official Ram-Zet Website
Official Candlelight Records Website
Official Tabu Recordings Website
Candlelight Records/Tabu Recordings CDL0223 September 6th, 2005
By Jason Jordan
For once, Metal-Archives.com got it right. Ram-Zet are indeed Avant-Garde Black Gothic. And Intra the units third record in five years is a respite from much of the crap thats been shoveled into my stereo over the past few months. While Intra excels on a variety of levels, I doubt its quite as laudable as the more experimental Escape.
Zet (vocals, guitars), it seems, is a talented individual. I write that because the riffing is heavy as hell, yet precision doesnt flounder one bit. The other musicians are on top of their respective games as well, but the passages laced with subtle electronic furnishings are undeniably awe-inspiring. The 4:15 minute mark of Left Behind As Pieces is a prime example of the aforesaid technique, though Enchanted it can be argued is the apex of Intra. In short, the disparities converge in an effort to rip the listener to shreds. What are some of those disparities you ask? Ram-Zet veterans need not be reminded of them: violins, swoon-inducing female vocals, and majestic keyboard arrangements. So what, then, are Intras blemishes? Some may not like Zets inclination to imitate Dani Filth (Cradle of Filth). However, the former sheds the shrieks and remains dignified in doing so. Others may become tired of the ubiquitous female vocals, as did I, plus the compositions just wont stick with you like your STDs. And, when Ram-Zet ascended into softer ramblings, I found myself losing interest.
This diverse sextet wasnt quite able to slash its way through my top contenders for the crown of 2005. In spite of that, Ram-Zet have crafted a worthy follow-up to 2002s Escape, and the record concurrently succeeded in becoming a late bloomer considering its nearly October. The band will clash with venomous rivals in the coming months, for sure, but I think theyre capable of standing their ground.
8.5/10
Official Ram-Zet Website
Official Candlelight Records Website
Official Tabu Recordings Website
