I knew a lot of these songs after seeing Ramage Inc play at ProgPower Europe recently. Their performance was dynamic and their melodic metal songs had big, catchy hooks, so I had high hopes for this album.
From the first notes, this band’s strengths are apparent. In the first minute of “By the Way Side”, there’s a sophisticated riff, monstrous bass rumblings and a djenty feel. Mr Ramage and his chums are experienced musicians, and this is evident from the patient structure of this song, which like those which follow, invades the brain. Amid the chunkiness is a broad-sounding clean vocal and discreet hey – hey – hey chorus which bought back memories of ProgPower but isn’t artificial or cheesy. Ramage Inc, who in a lot of ways remind me of Satariel, only do solid songs which are dark, catchy and evocative. “By the Way Side” is definitely typical of the “Ramage Inc style” which came across on this fourteen-track album. I noticed the pattern less during the live set where the band’s interface with the audience created added energy. The following track “Scape”, is similarly dark and djenty. The technical work is excellent and wondrously suggestive. The atmosphere is broadly the same but Ramage Inc provide twists with the moody and melodic tones of “Gave Up Our World”, the mind-blowingly catchy riffs of “As the Wind Blows” and “Don’t Bring Me Down”, and the airier “Dreamer”. Bryan Ramage’s powerful vocals tread steadily through the heavy and thumping framework. Instrumentally, dark grooves mix with technical rock-metal structures. “Horizon” dispenses with vocals momentarily, and the reward is an epic build-up and extra-groovy djenty flourishes. “Sin” features the familiar colourful technical extravaganza, supplemented with crusty vocals, while “Ups and Downs” has a very pleasing cascading riffs. The structures of these songs are superb. “Don’t Bring Me Down” is one of the richest tracks with its heavy melody and toe-tapping, headbang-inducing qualities. “Majestica” reminded me a little of Pagan’s Mind in its breadth and scope, and above all its dramatic and epic nature. We’re taken back to the beginning with “Weakness”, a pop-structured song with a thumping and imposing groove and fine guitar solo.
The style of these songs is similar but the structures and musicianship are so strong that they stick in the mind. For me there wasn’t the personality in the recorded version as there was in the live set, but nevertheless this is a fine album with memorable songs and impressive energy. While at ProgPower, I learned that Ramage Inc, who hail from Edinburgh, have earned themselves a loyal fan base in Dundee. With soaring tunes like these on “Feel the Waves”, they deserve greater appreciation and wider acclaim.
(7.5/10 Andrew Doherty)
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