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Tracklist
1. Final Thrill
2. Left Behind as Pieces
3. Enchanted
4. Ballet
5. "Peace"
6. And Innocence
7. Born
8. Lullaby for the Dying
9. Closing a Memory
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Ram-Zet are one of the most creative and innovative bands to come out of Norway in the last five years or so. With 'Intra,' the band's third album, they continue to intrigue and sometimes even perplex listeners. They combine blackened male with operatic female vocals, chaotic spasms with structured guitar riffs, and haunting violins with melodic keyboards to create some very diverse and complex music.
Guitarist and band leader Zet doesn't stick to one path when he's playing; rather, he varies up his techniques from riff to riff. On 'Left Behind as Pieces,' for example, the lead riff brings to mind acute reminders of a band like Nevermore. 'Ballet,' on the other hand, features crunchier, more grinding guitar work that mainly provides background to the keyboards, which take the lead in this almost Industrial song. Zet's harsh, screeching vocals provide an excellent contrast to Sfinx's clean, gothic voice, and in almost every song the band sticks to this alternating formula.
Probably the most unique aspect of Ram-Zet's music aside from the endless variation is the fact that they employ a violinist, Sareeta, as a full-time member. Violinists are rarely seen in metal outside of the folk/Viking metal genres, and Sareeta's contribution to the band gives it another astonishing dimension. In addition, she does plenty of backing vocals, adding more depth and atmosphere to several of Sfinx's lines.
Zet himself best sums up his band's music during the song 'Born,' during which he chants 'I am the unpredictable!' Ram-Zet is truly unpredictable – their atypical approach to extreme music results in an unprecedented degree of unpredictability. Thankfully, they manage to pull this off in a way that's nothing short of excellent. Their songs flow very well for a band with such a high degree of variation. Fans of anything from …And Oceans to After Forever would be wise to pick this one up.
Review by: Andrew
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