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Twisted Tower Dire: Make It Dark

Heavy/Power Metal

4.0/5.0

Cruz Del Sur Records
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by Craig Hartranft,  04.25.2011

I've been a long time fan of Twisted Tower Dire, if for only one reason. They formed in 1995 with "a stubborn hatred for the '90s anti-metal culture." You remember those grunge days. And this was followed by the skewed derivations of nu metal, rap metal, and hardcore metal. TTD revives classic melodic heavy and power metal for a fifth time with Make It Dark.

Perhaps the best words to describe Make It Dark is fast and powerful. TTD blurs the line between power and speed metal as every song moves at a blistering pace. Characteristic is the last and longest song (on an otherwise short album, eight songs within 36 minutes) Beyond the Gate which is relentless and heavy, but melodic, power metal. There's no pause and little variation. Such is the nature of Make It Dark. Yet some variation occurs in a very good way.

While moving at a breathless speed, songs such as the short and quick Mystera, the trio of Make It Dark, White Shadow, and The Only turn on huge riffs, melodic hooks, and catchy refrains. This is rumbling power metal invigorated by a melodic hard rock enthusiasm. This is clearly self-evident on the two very best tracks Make It Dark and White Shadow. Other songs offer unique moments of inspiration: Snow Leopard with its gallop and catchy chorus and The Stone with it's burning guitar solos. Later, however, the later Torture Torture seems bland, mere power metal only heavier.

Lastly, some quick kudos to the musicians. As relentless as the music, vocalist Johnny Aune never wavers. Bassist Jim Hunter is impressive throughout especially on The Only, and with drummer Mark Stauffer on Make It Dark a remarkable partnership.

Considering its brief length and repetitive pace, Make It Dark will surely be considered redundant by some. However, Twisted Tower Dire's mission of resurrecting and pursuing classic melodic heavy/power metal remains suitably relentless. Recommended.

On Make It Dark Twisted Tower Dire's mission of resurrecting and pursuing classic melodic heavy/power metal remains suitably relentless. Recommended.

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Formed in 1999 by singer, songwriter, producer, and multi-instrumentalist Erik Martensson, Sweden's Eclipse is well into their third decade of making music. In the recent past, their recordings and reputation have ... [ Read More ]