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While I love a huge sound with
bombastic drums (the new WASP "Unholy Terror" and Primal Fear's "Nuclear Fire"
for example), power metal that gives a nod to the roots of the genre is still
exciting and interesting when executed properly. Twisted Tower Dire's "The Curse
Of Twisted Tower Dire" is probably the best raw edged metal CD I have heard
since the mid 1980's. Even the above shown CD cover art is indicative of the
music inside the jewel case. Hearing a band from the USA (Vienna, Virginia)
with a style like this in 2001 is a most pleasant surprise.
"Hail Dark Rider" is the perfect example of the kind of classic metal track that
I love so much. It has the feel of a song from 1983 or 1984 with intricate
playing and time changes. The stripped down sound gives the overall release a
grittier, hungrier edge to all the tracks. There is a power plod / gallop
approach that emanates throughout the CD. A good comparison musically would be
with the first Griffin (Flight Of The Griffin) release.
Upon hearing the guitars "Land Of Illusions", I immediately thought of "Outlaw"
by Riot. (Any band that I can compare to Riot is in incredible company) "The
Curse Of Twisted Tower Dire" has a forboding intro that picks up speed and slows
once again. Tony Taylor's vocals at times are similar sounding to Bobby "Blitz"
Ellsworth from Overkill in particular on "The Epic War Never Ends". The lead
guitar playing of Dave Boyd and Scott Waldrop on the aforementioned track is
pure metallic shred as it is throughout the entire CD.
The standout track on the CD is "The Witch's Eyes" which reminds me of the
legendary Valhalla EP from 1984, in particular the track "In Her Eyes". The
track slowly develops into a storming metal assault. The choruses are shouted
out and the song quickly embeds itself into your head.
While in the past several years artists like magnificent Hammerfall have been in
the spotlight of the resurgent power metal movement, Twisted Tower Dire is a
much more accurate representation of the origins of power metal. Twisted Tower
Dire composes strong tracks while maintaining their raw aggressiveness. Having
played Milwaukee Metalfest 2000 and Wacken Open Air Festival 2000, the band
appears to have a deserved bright future ahead.
Contact information:
e-mail:
twistedtowerdire@hotmail.com
Web Site: http://truemetal.org/twistedtowerdire/
Band Email Addresses:
Scott Waldrop (Guitar)
twistedtower@earthlink.net
Dave Boyd (Guitar/Webmaster)
boyd_ttd@mindspring.com
Tony Taylor (Vocals)
tctaylor@visuallink.com
Jim Murad (Bass)
jmurad1074@aol.com
Marc Stauffer (Drums)
jagermaster@juno.com
General Band Correspondence:
Twisted Tower Dire
c/o Scott Waldrop
10021 Scenic View Terrace
Vienna VA 22182-1367 (USA)
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