In Between Borderlines. Ramkot

The clock hits rock, folks. That Ramkot appears on these pages with its debut album should not come as a surprise. It's singles and EPs have featured since the first releases and all met with a favourable reception. For In Between Borderlines this is no different.

Ramkot plays a loud kind of rock, sometimes moving towards metal. Opening track 'Don't Drop Down' is full of dark, heavy riffs that metal fans will recognise immediately. I'm not a metal fan, even far from. What Ramkot manages superbly is to mix its metal with influences lifted from classic rock and even pop. It makes its songs impossible to ignore. No, let's phrase that more positive: extremely attractive to listen to.

Ramkot is a trio from Gent in Belgium, with a classic rock trio line up of guitar, bass and drums. Ramkot is totally worthy of its name. Ramming rock through the kot's door as it were. What is added to the classic line up, are glorious vocal harmonies. Falsetto's are not eschewed, as if Ramkot would not mind singing in a band like Earth, Wind & Fire on the side. It's here that the pop element is strongest. The vocal melodies are as strong as they were in A Brand, a band from Belgium with four guitarists and heavenly vocals. Although a lot louder than A Brand was, there are definite links between the two bands. Both have an uncanny ear for the extra melodies in singing over already quite complex songs.

As far as I'm concerned this combination makes Ramkot a winner. It's not for nothing I notice that the band is already playing the larger venues of my country. Perhaps in the smaller hall or as a support act, fact is it is ahead of the game because of it. The undoubtedly energetic live act will do the rest.

With In Between Borderlines Ramkot proves that its EPs were no coincidents. This album rocks no little and allows to sing along and dance a little on the side as well. Huge riffs are replaced by glorious melodies. What more can a rock fan demand? Not a lot in the case of Ramkot.

Wout de Natris