TWISTED TOWER DIRE Press

NETHERWORLDS

Lots has gone on in the Twisted camp since the release of the band's third album, Crest Of The Martyrs in '03, the most significant being the replacement of singer and nine year veteran of the band Tony Taylor (depression issues) with Viper vocalist Johnny Aune. The mission remains the same though, Netherworlds offering more of the band's antiquey, authentic power metal unglossed by modern European influence, more like just the best one might gather from Sweden '85 or America '87. It's cool how doomy the tracks feel without the guys actually playing doom - it's just a successful striving for timelessness. Aune's vocals are really quite high too, perfect for the band's very melodic, almost slippery and smeary vibe (these guys belong on Cruz Del Sur). There's both texture and a wall of sound to this, even as the whole thing is quite trebly, maybe even lacking in bottom end. It's the way the hipster classic metal bands are doing it - you know, play it loose and a little drunken, - except Twisted Tower Dire have the chops and deep-dish metal knowledge that slays trendiness. Such a synthesis should make this record fully acceptable to any traditional metal fan, and a cherished item indeed, if that fan "gets" the reason behind the organic vibe of the thing.- Martin Popoff, HARDRADIO.COM (Band note - Tony Taylor actually sings on "Netherworlds")

One of my favorite bands of the past few years returns with their 4th full-length CD, true to their style and quite effective.

For those of you unfamiliar with TTD, they play driving, straightforward American style heavy metal, with a majestic feeling that stems from the pure, polished vocals, and a fantasy bent. For those of you who enjoyed their prior works, this is a worthy follow-up which will not surprise and disappoint, even if I might hold the even more epic 'The isle of hydra' and its magnificent title track in even higher regard.

The CD's opener, "Starshine", opens up with a surprising feel, channeling a bit of Motorhead's raw throaty rumble in its rhythm section, but the vocals and guitar leads are the more expected clean and majestic metal. "No one left to blame" also takes the lyrics off from the more expected fantasy direction with a more relationshippy tone, but luckily you have titles like "Dire wolf" or "Firebird" to even things out a bit. Like 'Crest of the martyrs', it's otherwise a very consistent CD, and if it has any flaws its that I haven't found any magnificent high points that really blow me away, but likewise, there aren't any major detractions either. In this, it's closer to 'Crest of the martyrs' than 'The isle of hydra'.

Singer Tony Taylor left the band after the recording of this CD, and the current singer is Johnny Aune, but since the vocals on this CD are all the recognizable strains from Tony, we'll have to wait until the next CD to hear the new singer in a studio setting.- METAL CD RATINGS

CREST OF THE MARTYRS

"Crest Of The Martyrs" is Twisted Tower Dire's third album and it's another giant step forward for the band!The two first albums of TTD ("The Curse Of Twisted Tower" and "The Isle Of Hydra") were two fine heavy/power metal albums in the best tradition of Judas Priest, Saxon, and Iron Maiden, but on their new album the band has also found their own identity.There's not one song on this cd that didn't impress me and absolute highlights for me personally are "At Night", "Axes & Honor" , "To Be A Champion", "Fight To Be Free", "By My Hand" and "Guardian Bloodline".You can also hear that this album was produced at the professional Powerhouse recording studio by Piet Sielck (Iron Savior).With "Crest Of The Martyrs" TTD has definitely placed theirselves in the major league of epic heavy/power metal bands and this album will definitely be in many top 10 lists of power metal fans at the end of 2003! -METAL COVEN WEBZINE

Ok, ok...I know...As I mentioned in the STYGMA IV review as well, I have not listened to a helluva lot of what would be called "power metal" in the last few years. Reason being, most of it flat-out sucks. I'm talking about a bunch of sweet-sounding guys with big amps and flashy-looking modern-style guitars playing Yngwie leads in songs that sound like Switzerland's national anthem or something. That's kinda become the be-all and end-all of the so-called power metal genre and it just does nothing for me. All that being said, that's not what "power metal" originally meant to me, as a 46 year old who came up through the '70's and '80's. No, guys & gals, what "power metal" means to me, when done right is what Northern VA's TWISTED TOWER DIRE has done on this, their 3rd full-length release. In fact, saying that it's "done right" on this CD is not giving it the justification it deserves because, to be honest, if I'd gotten this CD before I posted my Top 10 for 2003, something else would have probably had to give. Listening to this album gives me a tremendous rush because it takes me back to some of the most glorious days I had as a metal fan. It harkens back to those magical times in the mid-'80's when there used to be metal shows at the Sea Gull Inn in Essex every other Sunday. It makes me think of things like early Maiden, and especially local ultimate melodic metal gods Tension (aka Deuce). A lot of times, Tony Taylor's upper-range yet still-powerful voice really reminds me of the awesome Tom Gattis. When Tony rips out lines like "Come ride with me tonight fearless child of wind & fire!", my fist is up in the air and automatically it has a spiked wristband on it and I see the sleeve of a leather jacket proudly held high. Through one killer cut after another like "Axes & Honor," "Fight To Be Free" and "Guardian Bloodline," not to mention the 7 1/2 minute epic "The Reflecting Pool," this band simply just kicks ass. And, I think that's the thing I like so much. Where a lot of the current-day Euro stuff has a homogonized, over-ly polished sound, these guys remember that they are METAL! Sure, there are melodies abounding but the riffs lean way more toward the rawer style of the '80's & even '70's hard rock in spots. On top of it, the soloing sound generated here by Scott Waldrop & Dave Boyd is sharp & cutting as a switchblade, none of that neck-pick-up-kinda syrupy neo-classical pablum. Add to that some incendiary double leads worthy of the best Murray/Smith duos and you've got icing on the iron-clad cake. This album, like TWISTED TOWER DIRE's previous 2, is heavy metal defined and anyone who's ever said those words with a trace of pride in their meaning needs to obtain "Crest Of The Martyrs" immediately! - CHAOS REALM WEBZINE

Finally!! After the review of Twisted Tower Dire's "Axes and Honour" here it is; the review of their last full-length album "Crest of the martyrs" which is out for quite a long time. The US heavy metal forces surprised me with the 7" and so they do with this album. Great fantasy heavy metal on a real heavy way indeed. I have read much reviews of this album by now, and it is really crazy how many reviewers label this as a "Helloween clone" or things like that. In my opinion such reviewers shouldn't write heavy metal reviews!! This is goddamnit, together with the last Goat Horn, one of the best heavy metal albums of 2003!! From the first riffs of opener "At Night" 'till the last of bonus track "The Reflecting pool" (A re-recorder version) this album just kills! Tony Taylor's vocals are very powerful on this release and the guitar duals of Scott and Dave remember to your fav 80's record but also with modern influences, so it doesn't sound dated or retro at all. The best songs are the real headbanger "Some other time some other place", the great song from the 7" "Axes and Honour" and "Fight to be free" with some amazing guitar work. I just can't find bad points on this album, so please buy this album!! - VAMPIRE MAGAZINE

For more reviews of "Crest...", click here.

THE ISLE OF HYDRA

There’s always something special about a band when they’re freakishly out-on-a-limb in their own environment. For a cult-as-fuck old school HM band coming from West Virginia you need a fervent commitment to your art that borders on crazed single mindedness, and TTD have had that since about 1995, carving out a niche alongside fellow countrymen Slough Feg as noble defenders of raw, cryptic, medieval-inspired power metal in the U.S. tradition.

For those who enjoyed the debut ‘The Curse of Twisted Tower’ but had problems with the murky production, those quibbles have been obliterated this time; ‘Isle…’ is much brighter and sharper, but still bloody raw and 80s as hell. Naturally Maiden still looms large throughout, but it’s the cryptic, eccentric Maiden of ‘The Duelists’ or ‘Sun and Steel’ that dominates. This is an album full of surprisingly sublime mini-epics loaded with insidiously catchy hooks and dueling guitar breaks.- Chris Chantler, TERRORIZER MAGAZINE Issue #98

“The American power metal scene has spawned two of the best original and unknown bands - The Lord Weird Slough Feg and Twisted Tower Dire. The bouncy, Maiden influence, and the 80’s sound found on “The Isle of Hydra” will please metal fans of almost any genre. Twisted Tower Dire’s “The Curse of Twisted Tower” drew amazing reviews from the press and “The Isle of Hydra” should do the same. It’s a more song oriented affair, but still maintains the trademarks of the debut. Vocalist Tony Taylor is in top form. The chorus on “When the Daylight Fades” is instantly memorable but also powerful. “Ride the Night” sees his talents ranging from the mellow, acoustic prelude to the intensity of the rest of the song. He reached Geoff Tate highs while also adding a surprisingly catchy, sing along chorus. The twin guitar work of Scott Waldrop and Dave Boyd is the other key ingredient to Twisted Tower Dire. Old school metal has never sounded better from a current band.” - TRANSCENDING THE MUNDANE MAGAZINE

For more reviews of "The Isle...", click here.

THE CURSE OF TWISTED TOWER

Despite hailing from Virginia, Twisted Tower Dire had to go overseas to secure a record contract. Europe has always been friendlier to progressive power metal and until just recently, stateside labels showed no real interest in importing or promoting said style. As a result, fans were forced to pay outrageous prices for discs and many lesser known acts suffered, since kids typically bought only the bands they’d heard or read about. The internet has changed that somewhat, but newcomers like Twisted Tower Dire still need a far-reaching vehicle of exposure, so let’s give them some of their due.

The opening ‘Land of illusions’ borrows a dual lead workout from Iron Maiden, but it’s ‘Hail Dark Rider’ where the twisted hit their stride. With most tracks clocking in around seven minutes, ample room is left for developing a theme, not just rushing pell mell to the end. ‘Hail Dark Rider’ starts quickly, then meanders through several incantations, including another dose of twin guitars. A slower tempo isn’t too favourable to Tony Taylor’s vocals. Thankfully, the multifaceted nature of these songs prevents sticking to one idea for too long. If I hear another song that begins with a soundbite of thunder and horses whinnying, I’ll go ballistic. Enough already! After a mid-disc lull, Twisted Tower Dire end strongly. Not too many bands can pull off a ten minute instrumental, but ‘The Valkyrie Death Squadrons’ works, as does the decidedly old school feel of the closing ‘The Witches Eyes’. Twisted Tower Dire impressed on-stage, at PowerMad, and their album is a worthy addition to the growing ranks of American power metal.- Mark Gromen, METAL MANIACS April 2000




	NETHERWORLDS Lots has gone on in the Twisted camp since the release of the band's third album, Crest Of The Martyrs in '03, the most significant being the replacement of singer and nine year veteran of the band Tony Taylor (depression issues) with Viper vocalist Johnny Aune. The mission remains the same though, Netherworlds offering more of the band's antiquey, authentic power metal unglossed by modern European influence, more like just the best one might gather from Sweden '85 or America '87. It's cool how doomy the tracks feel without the guys actually playing doom - it's just a successful striving for timelessness. Aune's vocals are really quite high too, perfect for the band's very melodic, almost slippery and smeary vibe (these guys belong on Cruz Del Sur). There's both texture and a wall of sound to this, even as the whole thing is quite trebly, maybe even lacking in bottom end. It's the way the hipster classic metal bands are doing it - you know, play it loose and a little drunken, - except Twisted Tower Dire have the chops and deep-dish metal knowledge that slays trendiness. Such a synthesis should make this record fully acceptable to any traditional metal fan, and a cherished item indeed, if that fan "gets" the reason behind the organic vibe of the thing.- Martin Popoff, HARDRADIO.COM (Band note - Tony Taylor actually sings on "Netherworlds") One of my favorite bands of the past few years returns with their 4th full-length CD, true to their style and quite effective. For those of you unfamiliar with TTD, they play driving, straightforward American style heavy metal, with a majestic feeling that stems from the pure, polished vocals, and a fantasy bent. For those of you who enjoyed their prior works, this is a worthy follow-up which will not surprise and disappoint, even if I might hold the even more epic 'The isle of hydra' and its magnificent title track in even higher regard. The CD's opener, "Starshine", opens up with a surprising feel, channeling a bit of Motorhead's raw throaty rumble in its rhythm section, but the vocals and guitar leads are the more expected clean and majestic metal. "No one left to blame" also takes the lyrics off from the more expected fantasy direction with a more relationshippy tone, but luckily you have titles like "Dire wolf" or "Firebird" to even things out a bit. Like 'Crest of the martyrs', it's otherwise a very consistent CD, and if it has any flaws its that I haven't found any magnificent high points that really blow me away, but likewise, there aren't any major detractions either. In this, it's closer to 'Crest of the martyrs' than 'The isle of hydra'. Singer Tony Taylor left the band after the recording of this CD, and the current singer is Johnny Aune, but since the vocals on this CD are all the recognizable strains from Tony, we'll have to wait until the next CD to hear the new singer in a studio setting.- METAL CD RATINGS CREST OF THE MARTYRS "Crest Of The Martyrs" is Twisted Tower Dire's third album and it's another giant step forward for the band!The two first albums of TTD ("The Curse Of Twisted Tower" and "The Isle Of Hydra") were two fine heavy/power metal albums in the best tradition of Judas Priest, Saxon, and Iron Maiden, but on their new album the band has also found their own identity.There's not one song on this cd that didn't impress me and absolute highlights for me personally are "At Night", "Axes & Honor" , "To Be A Champion", "Fight To Be Free", "By My Hand" and "Guardian Bloodline".You can also hear that this album was produced at the professional Powerhouse recording studio by Piet Sielck (Iron Savior).With "Crest Of The Martyrs" TTD has definitely placed theirselves in the major league of epic heavy/power metal bands and this album will definitely be in many top 10 lists of power metal fans at the end of 2003! -METAL COVEN WEBZINE Ok, ok...I know...As I mentioned in the STYGMA IV review as well, I have not listened to a helluva lot of what would be called "power metal" in the last few years. Reason being, most of it flat-out sucks. I'm talking about a bunch of sweet-sounding guys with big amps and flashy-looking modern-style guitars playing Yngwie leads in songs that sound like Switzerland's national anthem or something. That's kinda become the be-all and end-all of the so-called power metal genre and it just does nothing for me. All that being said, that's not what "power metal" originally meant to me, as a 46 year old who came up through the '70's and '80's. No, guys & gals, what "power metal" means to me, when done right is what Northern VA's TWISTED TOWER DIRE has done on this, their 3rd full-length release. In fact, saying that it's "done right" on this CD is not giving it the justification it deserves because, to be honest, if I'd gotten this CD before I posted my Top 10 for 2003, something else would have probably had to give. Listening to this album gives me a tremendous rush because it takes me back to some of the most glorious days I had as a metal fan. It harkens back to those magical times in the mid-'80's when there used to be metal shows at the Sea Gull Inn in Essex every other Sunday. It makes me think of things like early Maiden, and especially local ultimate melodic metal gods Tension (aka Deuce). A lot of times, Tony Taylor's upper-range yet still-powerful voice really reminds me of the awesome Tom Gattis. When Tony rips out lines like "Come ride with me tonight fearless child of wind & fire!", my fist is up in the air and automatically it has a spiked wristband on it and I see the sleeve of a leather jacket proudly held high. Through one killer cut after another like "Axes & Honor," "Fight To Be Free" and "Guardian Bloodline," not to mention the 7 1/2 minute epic "The Reflecting Pool," this band simply just kicks ass. And, I think that's the thing I like so much. Where a lot of the current-day Euro stuff has a homogonized, over-ly polished sound, these guys remember that they are METAL! Sure, there are melodies abounding but the riffs lean way more toward the rawer style of the '80's & even '70's hard rock in spots. On top of it, the soloing sound generated here by Scott Waldrop & Dave Boyd is sharp & cutting as a switchblade, none of that neck-pick-up-kinda syrupy neo-classical pablum. Add to that some incendiary double leads worthy of the best Murray/Smith duos and you've got icing on the iron-clad cake. This album, like TWISTED TOWER DIRE's previous 2, is heavy metal defined and anyone who's ever said those words with a trace of pride in their meaning needs to obtain "Crest Of The Martyrs" immediately! - CHAOS REALM WEBZINE Finally!! After the review of Twisted Tower Dire's "Axes and Honour" here it is; the review of their last full-length album "Crest of the martyrs" which is out for quite a long time. The US heavy metal forces surprised me with the 7" and so they do with this album. Great fantasy heavy metal on a real heavy way indeed. I have read much reviews of this album by now, and it is really crazy how many reviewers label this as a "Helloween clone" or things like that. In my opinion such reviewers shouldn't write heavy metal reviews!! This is goddamnit, together with the last Goat Horn, one of the best heavy metal albums of 2003!! From the first riffs of opener "At Night" 'till the last of bonus track "The Reflecting pool" (A re-recorder version) this album just kills! Tony Taylor's vocals are very powerful on this release and the guitar duals of Scott and Dave remember to your fav 80's record but also with modern influences, so it doesn't sound dated or retro at all. The best songs are the real headbanger "Some other time some other place", the great song from the 7" "Axes and Honour" and "Fight to be free" with some amazing guitar work. I just can't find bad points on this album, so please buy this album!! - VAMPIRE MAGAZINE For more reviews of "Crest...", click here. THE ISLE OF HYDRA There’s always something special about a band when they’re freakishly out-on-a-limb in their own environment. For a cult-as-fuck old school HM band coming from West Virginia you need a fervent commitment to your art that borders on crazed single mindedness, and TTD have had that since about 1995, carving out a niche alongside fellow countrymen Slough Feg as noble defenders of raw, cryptic, medieval-inspired power metal in the U.S. tradition. For those who enjoyed the debut ‘The Curse of Twisted Tower’ but had problems with the murky production, those quibbles have been obliterated this time; ‘Isle…’ is much brighter and sharper, but still bloody raw and 80s as hell. Naturally Maiden still looms large throughout, but it’s the cryptic, eccentric Maiden of ‘The Duelists’ or ‘Sun and Steel’ that dominates. This is an album full of surprisingly sublime mini-epics loaded with insidiously catchy hooks and dueling guitar breaks.- Chris Chantler, TERRORIZER MAGAZINE Issue #98 “The American power metal scene has spawned two of the best original and unknown bands - The Lord Weird Slough Feg and Twisted Tower Dire. The bouncy, Maiden influence, and the 80’s sound found on “The Isle of Hydra” will please metal fans of almost any genre. Twisted Tower Dire’s “The Curse of Twisted Tower” drew amazing reviews from the press and “The Isle of Hydra” should do the same. It’s a more song oriented affair, but still maintains the trademarks of the debut. Vocalist Tony Taylor is in top form. The chorus on “When the Daylight Fades” is instantly memorable but also powerful. “Ride the Night” sees his talents ranging from the mellow, acoustic prelude to the intensity of the rest of the song. He reached Geoff Tate highs while also adding a surprisingly catchy, sing along chorus. The twin guitar work of Scott Waldrop and Dave Boyd is the other key ingredient to Twisted Tower Dire. Old school metal has never sounded better from a current band.” - TRANSCENDING THE MUNDANE MAGAZINE For more reviews of "The Isle...", click here. THE CURSE OF TWISTED TOWER Despite hailing from Virginia, Twisted Tower Dire had to go overseas to secure a record contract. Europe has always been friendlier to progressive power metal and until just recently, stateside labels showed no real interest in importing or promoting said style. As a result, fans were forced to pay outrageous prices for discs and many lesser known acts suffered, since kids typically bought only the bands they’d heard or read about. The internet has changed that somewhat, but newcomers like Twisted Tower Dire still need a far-reaching vehicle of exposure, so let’s give them some of their due. The opening ‘Land of illusions’ borrows a dual lead workout from Iron Maiden, but it’s ‘Hail Dark Rider’ where the twisted hit their stride. With most tracks clocking in around seven minutes, ample room is left for developing a theme, not just rushing pell mell to the end. ‘Hail Dark Rider’ starts quickly, then meanders through several incantations, including another dose of twin guitars. A slower tempo isn’t too favourable to Tony Taylor’s vocals. Thankfully, the multifaceted nature of these songs prevents sticking to one idea for too long. If I hear another song that begins with a soundbite of thunder and horses whinnying, I’ll go ballistic. Enough already! After a mid-disc lull, Twisted Tower Dire end strongly. Not too many bands can pull off a ten minute instrumental, but ‘The Valkyrie Death Squadrons’ works, as does the decidedly old school feel of the closing ‘The Witches Eyes’. Twisted Tower Dire impressed on-stage, at PowerMad, and their album is a worthy addition to the growing ranks of American power metal.- Mark Gromen, METAL MANIACS April 2000