Review by Michael on April 13, 2002.

From their debut "Pure Therapy", Ram-Zet showed massive talent and potential. But with their newest offering "Escape", Ram-Zet have tapped into an altogether new vein of metal genius. I have no idea exactly where this album fits, its on a plain of its own. With the addition of 3 new members since "Pure Therapy"; Magnus on keys, Sfinx handling vocals and Sareeta providing violin and backing vocals. Ram-Zet are pushing new boudaries indeed.

With this album, Zet (lead vocals and guitars) decided to take the lyrical theme’s present on "Pure Therapy" to a new level. He met up with a story writer named Mie Storbekken, and together they wrote lyrics to the album following the theme of Zet’s story “Escape”. Thus the concept album was born. The main theme running through the album is one person’s struggle against schizophrenia and the warring personalities inside their head. The music is a direct reflection of this. The contrast and unity of this recording is out of this world! From some of the most beautiful soft sections with the magical voice of Sfinx perfecting the sound, to crazy carnival-type atmosphere sounding keyboards to some of the heaviest yet melodic guitar lines to date.

Another major change in "Escape" is the song length. Since the last album Ram-Zet have basically doubled the average track length putting an all together new vibe to this recording. It now has an altogether more epic feeling to it, each song being a complete story within a story. The complexity of the songs is magnificant, the seamless transitions between sections representing the mindset of the main character from soft to harsh to comical are wonderful. Again, like "Pure Therapy" the production is excellent, all sounds perfectly rounded and sitting nicely in the mix.

Bottom Line: This CD is one of if not the best release for 2002. Every aspect of this album has been perfected. Metal genius.

Categorical Rating Breakdown

Originality: 9
Musicianship: 10
Atmosphere: 9
Production: 9
Overall: 10

Rating 9.4 out of 10