Twisted Tower Dire : Make It Dark

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by Justin Gaines
Staff Writer

At long last we finally get a new studio album from traditional metal warriors Twisted Tower Dire. In the four years since their last album (2007’s Netherworlds), the band has gone through lineup changes, label changes and a move from North Carolina back to Virginia. None of these changes have managed to put out the band’s fire, as their fifth full-length album – Make It Dark – proves right off the bat.

You know as soon as the blistering opener “Mystera” kicks in that you’re in for something special. Make It Dark is everything a traditional metal album should sound like. It’s full of high-speed riffing, compelling melodies and Maiden-inspired galloping leads, not to mention an overall energy that brings to mind the best of the NWOBHM. And how about those vocals? The late Tony Taylor (RIP) left some big shoes to fill, but Johnny Aune (also of Viper) does an amazing job. Not only does he bring an impressive range and real power vocally, if you’ve seen the band live recently you know he’s a killer frontman.

The only real disappointment is that the album is so short. With just eight songs and clocking in at just over 36 minutes, Make It Dark gets in, kicks ass, and gets out, leaving you wanting more, dammit, more! Ah well, it’s hard to complain when the album meets the classic “all killer, no filler” criteria. There’s almost no point singling out specific songs when they’re all this good, but if you’re looking to sample some tracks you’ll definitely want to hear the melodic “Snow Leopard,” the fist-pumping anthem “Make It Dark” and the 8-minute epic “Beyond the Gate,” which features some wicked guitar work.

2011 has already seen some strong traditional heavy metal entries from bands like Helstar, Benedictum and Vicious Rumors, but Make It Dark may end up being the best of the bunch. This is the album Wolf will be kicking themselves for not releasing. With this album, Twisted Tower Dire shows the rest of the traditional metal scene how it’s done. If you’re at all a fan of traditional heavy metal (power metal and thrash too, for that matter), Make It Dark needs to advance to the top of your buy list. Traditional metal has made a comeback lately, but for Twisted Tower Dire it never left.

Genre: Traditional Metal

Band:
Johnny Aune (v)
Scott Waldrop (g)
Dave Boyd (g)
Jim Hunter (b)
Mark Stauffer (d)

Track Listing:
1. Mystera
2. Snow Leopard
3. The Stone
4. Make It Dark
5. White Shadow
6. The Only Way
7. Torture Torture
8. Beyond the Gate

Label: Cruz Del Sur

Web site: http://www.twistedtowerdire.com/

Hardrock Haven rating: 9/10