Interview with Ram-Zet
Ram-Zet is a band that you steady readers already have developed some form of a relationship to, by (hopefully) looking into my review of their latest album Intra. I was therefore very pleased to get the opportunity to talk with the main man himself, Mr. Zet, or Henning Ramseth as he’s normally called.
Oh, at the moment they’re very fine, thank you.
Always good to hear. First off I just want to congratulate you on a new and excellent album!
Thanks, thank you very much. Always nice to know that people like my music.
So, could you please start off by telling our readers (those who aren’t already familiar with the band and its history) a bit about how you started out as a band? Just give us a brief talk-through on how Ram-Zet came to life?
Sure thing. Well, it all started out in the 90s, when me and my ego decided to create some music together, and I began writing some tunes by myself. I eventually got around to grabbing a hold of a bass player and a drummer, and from there things evolved into some demo-tapes, a couple of albums with lots of guest-performers, and eventually now into the line-up that we see today, as it has been since 2002.
Now, I know this is a tough one to answer; but can you, by using rather few words, try to describe
| Pure Therapy | 2000 |
| Escape | 2002 |
| Intra | 2005.05.30 |
You’re right, that is a tough one, hehe. Well, I always think in the terms of using the phrase “schizo-metal”. I mean, it’s just a big blend and mixture of different elements, mostly rooted in thrash and black metal, but with a lot of different stuff thrown into the final mix.
It’s interesting that you mention the expression “schizo-metal”, because the word schizo was the first thing that popped into my mind, by just looking at the artwork of the album, and then I hadn’t even heard the music. And speaking of the artwork, who is the guy behind it?
The artwork is done by a fellow named Terje Johansen, and he has in fact never done a cover-art before. You can’t tell that at all in my opinion, ‘cause we’re extremely pleased with what he did. He gave it the exact feel we were looking for, a bit creepy and with a very dark atmosphere.
You mentioned earlier that Ram-Zet’s music consists of various elements of music, so who and what would you list as your main influences when it comes both to writing music and lyrics?
Well, my music surely reflects the fact that I listen to tons of varieties of music, all from black metal to Björk, you know. And thus, the music that I compose is sort of a mirror to what I normally would prefer. It could be anything I guess, music, things I experience, a good horror movie, and just different things in life that would normally affect you as a human being.
How in general, is a Ram-Zet track created? Do you follow a special routine when you sit down to write songs?
No, absolutely not. In fact, when writing new material for Intra, I tried to make a routine to follow, to structure things a bit. But that was also the main reason for the album being so delayed, ‘cause I just wasn’t getting anywhere with it. So I had to loosen up and free me from the chains I’d put on myself, and just let go. And that’s when the good material began to flow.
Ok, moving on to your new record now, and first of all; why Tabu Records instead of Spikefarm? (Ram-Zet’s two previous records were recorded in Finnvox and released on Spikefarm Records)
It pretty much came as a natural decision, due to our contract with Spikefarm being done. We originally signed for two records, and once we had done those it was just a natural choice to move on. I mean, Spikefarm would probably have agreed to release a 3rd record with us, but we kinda felt that they wouldn’t place us on the top of their priority list, as we were always a bit of an outsider-band on that label.
And I’d always had contact with the guys at the Tuba Distribution, they did the distro for our two first records, and then it just became a very natural decision to sign for them.
I see. Intra was recorded in Space Valley Studio, and co-produced and mixed by a fellow named Daniel Bergstrand, who has worked with some rather big names in the past, like In Flames, Meshuggah, Soilwork and Strapping Young Lad. Why did you choose him for this album?
Again, we wanted to try something new. We were pleased with Finnvox for the two first records, but I felt that we needed something special this time around, so Daniel was the guy that came first into my head. Mainly because I’m a fan of the bands you mentioned, and I surely have to put Meshuggah pretty high on the list if I’m to mention any clear musical favourites. And also because I think the guy really knows what he’s doing, and is capable of working some real magic when it comes to sound.
Understandable. In my review of the album I pointed out that I for one wasn’t all that satisfied with the production, something I in fact have to withdraw as of yesterday. I decided to give the album one final spin in the headphones to see if things picked up, and they most certainly did. For instance, the beginning of the song Ballet must be one of the best opening parts of a track ever!
Hehe, nice to hear that, and I too was particularly pleased with the way the symphonic elements glide into that fast thrashy-sounding bit.
And speaking of symphonic elements, how will that work out in a live-situation?
Hehe, with the help of some good ol’ new-fashioned keyboard-equipment. So fear not, things will sound great live as well, we’ve played a couple of gigs with the new material, and it worked out excellent.
Any chances of seeing you in Trondheim soon?
I certainly hope so! I mean, we’ll probably be doing some gigs in the nearest future now, probably around September we’ll start playing quite a lot, and I surely hope Trondheim will be one of the places.
Excellent. Without making you some sort of a fortune teller, what does the future hold for Ram-Zet? What are the plans?
Mostly it involves getting out on the open road and doing lots of gigs, hopefully also abroad.
It’s hard to say where we are in a year from now, ‘cause the sale figures rarely correspond with the reception we get from you journalists, sadly I’d say this time around! (laughs) But as I said, touring is our main objective in the nearest future.
Ok, just to round off, could you please tell your worst and best purchase ever, when it comes to music? Tough question, I know…
Haha, holy hell…that’ one’s a bitch to answer! (laughs)
But I guess the worst one…I’d have to say The Elder by Kiss (Shame on you!: Red). I was just gravely disappointed when it came out, and I still am I guess, even though it has grown a bit over the years.
The best would be…hmm..that surely is hard. Well, I think I’d go with a Christmas present I got from a cousin of mine when I was 13, Balls To The Wall by Accept. A really great record, and I didn’t have to pay a dime, haha!
Ok, I think that about wraps it up Henning, it’s been a pleasure talking to you!
Likewise, take care man!
Written by Ole Kristian Mastadøy