Band: Twisted Tower Dire
Title: Make It Dark
Label: Cruz Del Sur Music
Distribution: Sonic Rendezvous
Release date: May 13th 2011
Review: CD

If there was an award for conventional purity and classical tradition within ‘Metal’, a nominee would be Twisted Tower Dire, incepted in 1995 and now releasing their fifth studio full length. It has been registered by guitar players Dave Boyd and Scott Waldrop, vocalist Jonny Aune, bass player Jim Hunter and drummer Marc Stauffer, with While Heaven Wept’s Chris Salamone behind the recording desk, and the result lasts for thirty seven minutes.
The band creates an energetic and enthusiastic mixture of Heavy Metal and Power Metal (the US-way, not that terrible heroic kind of European Power Puke Shit Metal), with the terminology ‘old’ and ‘school’ behind (or in front of) their name, and a huge dose on Traditional Doom Metal elements. Perfect interaction melody – rhythm, perfect equilibrium inventiveness – tradition, perfect marriage between accessibility and uniqueness. Jag Panzer as influence?
These guys have fun playing tribute to the early days, they do it with conviction and craftsmanship, supported by professional studio-people behind the desk.
Most of the time: rather usual and un-complex, yet glorious in its simplicity and modesty. Perfect handling of instruments and vocals.
Worth mentioning: closing track Beyond The Gate, much longer than any other track (the others vary between three and five minutes, this one clocks eight minutes), much heavier as well, and the most NWOBHM-inspired one (instead of USPM/USHM).

82/100

Ivan Tibos.