TWISTED TOWER DIRE – The fifth full-length studio album from Virginia’s Twisted Tower Dire has been released on May 3rd, 2011, via Cruz Del Sur Music and it’s worth more than it’s weight in Metal gold. As the classically inspired album cover from famed UK artist Martin Hanford and the type fonts suggests, Twisted Tower Dire is a Classic Metal band and Make It Dark is an eight song Traditional Metal triumph.
This is a band that has had to overcome prolific tragedy in the past year. Vocalist Tony Taylor was tragically killed in a motorcycle accident back on February 6th, 2010, being replaced by Johnny Aune (Viper). The triumph of human spirit that this band has bestowed in regrouping, coupled by the fearless drive that Make It Dark reverberates with it’s Classic Metal, is nothing short of admirable.
Throughout Make It Dark, the songs come across as not just well written, they are all extremely well executed. Metal resolve is a very good thing and Twisted Tower Dire bring it on their new album. This album reminds me of days long ago, hanging out in the moonlit field with my Metal brethren, while the sweet smell of ganga filled the air and the beers were in no short supply. Um, uh, back to the album review and 2011…
Johnny Aune is a bona-fide Classic Metal vocalist. In my Metal opinion, Johnny is a vocalist that guitar legend Yngwie Malmsteen would dig… and maybe he does? The Classic Metal echo fills this entire album, while leaving signatures of welcomed semi-raw and non-plasticized production every step of the way. The bass of Jim Hunter coupled with Mark Stauffer’s drumming is a rhythmic feast built on that Classic Metal speed. We’re in the midst of an age that’s called a Classic Metal revival and that school of thought is fine with me, only I and obviously countless others have never turned away from Classic Metal.
This old school Metal sound will never die due to bands such as Twisted Tower Dire. With the likes of their peers Enforcer, White Wizzard, Ravage, 3 Inches Of Blood, Derailed and Darkblack making their presence heard, the flame of this Metal genre has never burned brighter. Old school fans of Grim Reaper, Obsession and Paul Dianno fronted Iron Maiden should take a keen Metal liking to the dual guitars of Scott Waldrop and Dave Boyd. These two axe slingers exchange some very melodic and speedy guitar licks that are like the Metal icing on the Metal cake.
Yes, Speed Metal too can once again reign Metal supreme while Make It Dark is played at maximum volume. The old school vibes never subside while I listen to Make It Dark and I like it that way. Mystera, White Shadow, Torture Torture and Beyond The Gate are Classic Metal gems. Beyond The Gate is remarkable in it’s ability to suck my senses right into it’s Classic Metal richness, therefore, this is my favorite song on Make It Dark.
With there being so many Metal choices out there for new album purchases in 2011, Make It Dark is as upstanding as I can declare. Make It Dark is a reminder to us all, that Metal truly does sound real again. Make the credible Metal choice and buy Make It Dark for yourself… it will serve you Metal right.
TWISTED TOWER DIRE:
Johnny Aune – vocals
Jim Hunter – bass
Scott Waldrop – guitar
Dave Boyd – guitar
Mark Stauffer – drums
Make It Dark Track Listing:
Mystera
Snow Leopard
The Stone
Make It Dark
White Shadow
The Only Way
Torture Torture
Beyond the Gate
* For more info on TWISTED TOWER DIRE, click the links below:
http://www.twistedtowerdire.com
http://www.cruzdelsurmusic.com
LONG LIVE TWISTED TOWER DIRE.
Rest In Peace Tony Taylor.
Stone.
Metal Odyssey > Heavy Metal Music Blog 
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