Ramp (Portuguese band)

Ramp (stylized RAMP or R.A.M.P.) is a Portuguese groove and thrash metal band from Seixal, Setúbal, that was formed in 1989. The band name is made up of the first letters of the first names of the founding members, Ricardo, António, Miguel and Paulo. Ramp is considered one of the most influential metal bands in Portugal.

History
The band was founded in Seixal in 1989 by guitarist Ricardo Mendonça and singer Rui Duarte. In the same year, they first appeared as the opening act for Mortífera and The Coven. Mortífera bassist João Saps would later replace Miguel. The band then recorded a demo, which they sent to various labels in order to secure a contract. The EP Thoughts followed in 1992 via PolyGram. Music videos were also created for the songs "Try Again", "Last Child" and "Thoughts". After three more songs were added to the EP, Thoughts was released in CD format as an album via PolyGram. This was followed by various gigs, with the group also opening for Sepultura.

In 1995, the second album Intersection was released via União Lisboa. The third album Evolution, Devolution, Revolution was recorded in Nottingham at Square Studios with producer Simon Efemey. It was released towards the end of 1998 and music videos were recorded for the songs "Old Times" and "For a While". Towards the end of the following year, the live double album Ramp...Live was released, which contained live recordings from their tenth anniversary show. Footage from this was later used for the music video "How". In 2002, the band performed at the main stage of the Portuguese leg of the Ozzfest. In 2003, the next studio album Nude was released via Paranoid Records. In 2005, the band released an EP that included a cover version of Duran Duran's "Planet Earth" and António Variações' "Anjinho da Guarda". It also included the new song "You Make Me". In the same year, the band played together with groups such as Metallica, Iron Maiden, Tool, Sepultura, Alice Cooper, Fear Factory, Motörhead, Paradise Lost, Slayer, Manowar, Angra, Ill Niño, Kittie, Drowning Pool, The Exploited, Fudge Tunnel, Benediction, Dismember, Ratos de Porão, Rollins Band, Monster Magnet and Sadist. In 2009, the album Visions was released. After a long absence, another studio album, Insidiously, was released in 2022 through Rastilho Records.

Musical style
The band played pure thrash metal at the beginning of their career. In later releases, they moved towards groove metal.

Members
Source:

Current

 * Rui Duarte – vocals (1989–present)
 * Ricardo Mendonça – guitar (1989–present)
 * João Gonçalves – drums
 * David Mendonça – guitar
 * Apache Neto – bass

Former

 * Miguel Fernandes (1989–?)
 * Paulo Martins (1989–2022)
 * Tó Zé (1989–2008)
 * Caveirinha
 * João Sapo
 * Tó Pica
 * José Sales
 * Pedro Mendes

Studio albums

 * Thoughts (1992, PolyGram)
 * Intersection (1995, União Lisboa)
 * Evolution, Devolution, Revolution (1998, Farol Música)
 * Nude (2003, Paranoid Records)
 * Visions (2009, Metrodiscos)
 * Insidiously (2022, Rastilho Records)

EPs

 * Thoughts (1992, PolyGram)
 * Planet Earth (2005, Paranoid Records)

Singles

 * "The Last Child" (1992, PolyGram)
 * "Black Tie" (1996, União Lisboa IV)
 * "Old Times" (1998, Farol Música)
 * "Hallelujah" (1998, Farol Música)
 * "Alone" (2003, Paranoid Records)

Other releases

 * Ramp…Live (live album, 1999, Farol Música)
 * XXV 1988–2013 (compilation, 2013, Metrodiscos/Sony Music Portugal)