Tower - Let There Be Dark - review
Tower - Let There Be Dark - review
Tracklist
01. Under The Chapel02. Let There Be Dark
03. Holy Water
04. And I Cry
05. The Well Of Souls
06. Book Of The Hidden
07. Legio X Fretensis
08. Iron Clad
09. Don't You Say
10. The Hammer
A review by
AndyMetalFreak March 28, 2025
New York City is known for its many towers, but none are quite like this vibrant city's own heavy metal group Tower, who formed back in 2015. A year after their establishment, they released their self-titled debut, then after a brief hiatus in 2017, they returned with their sophomore album Shock To The System in 2021. Building a name for themselves through their powerful sound, fiercely catchy Judas Priest-style riffs, and the uniquely formidable vocals of Sarabeth Linden, they now return 4 years on to mark their 10-year anniversary with Let There Be Dark.
Not long before this album was released, I reviewed Sanhedrin's latest offering Heat Lightning, where I may have mentioned bands such as Blood Star, Christian Mistress, Savage Master, and Tanith as all forming part of this impressive current wave of female-fronted heavy metal bands. Tower are another name amongst their ranks, with Linden one of the most exceptional vocalists currently active in the NWOTHM scene, but her highly passionate performances and staggering vocal range aren't the only elements setting this band apart from the crowd. The guitar duo of James Danzo and Zak Penley have already shown they can pull off some of the finest riffs and solos in modern heavy metal, but they have even exceeded their own expectations here on Let There Be Dark. There are no slouches in the rhythm section either; Philippe Arman is more than an accomplished bassist, and the addition of drummer Keith Mikus has injected even more fuel into the fiery rhythm.
This latest offering sees each musician evolve by taking on more risks and showing a greater level of maturity, ultimately succeeding in creating their heaviest, darkest, and most accomplished release yet. The opener "Under The Chapel" is an instant highlight, and immediately demonstrates just how far this band has come since their previous release. Linden described the song as having a dark Eastern feel to it, and is inspired by a Yiddish lullaby her grandmother used to sing to her; the theme is not only personal to her, but also reflects on the current state of our world. Music-wise, the tone is noticeably meatier than anything they've done before; the rhythm is rapid, stylish, and irresistibly headbanging, and the guitar work is performed at a top level, providing some exceptional hooks. On top of all the instrumentation, Linden's formidable vocals are as powerful and passionate as any performance you'll hear in heavy metal today. This is a great opener, but things only get better from here.
The title track is a dark, pacy, and highly energetic song with all the makings of a modern NWOTHM classic, but "Holy Water" arguably exceeds it in quality immediately afterwards. This song begins cinematically with the sound of an eerie church bell and monk chant, setting a dark mood similar to that of King Diamond. Listeners are then suddenly greeted to a fabulous display of sensational harmonic verses, a highly memorable chorus, an exceptional catchy main riff, and a great solo.
"And I Cry" throws listeners off guard, and in a good way; this is a deeply emotional heavy metal ballad that starts softly and builds heavier. The latter stages of the song is one of the standout passages on the album, offering a powerful uplifting feel through its infectious hooky rhythm that you can't help but get up and head bang along to, and a great solo that you have to play air guitar to. It's a shame that this song cuts short so soon, just as I'm really getting into its groove.
The main difference between Let There Be Dark and what most modern heavy metal bands offer is not the exceptional all-round performances, or the memorable hooks, but the way the mood switches from dark to uplifting. There are several examples, but one of the main instances is how the short, haunting acoustic interlude "The Well Of Souls" suddenly flows into the upbeat "Book Of The Hidden". "Don't You Say" is also an instance where the band shows their softer side, offering a touch of melancholy and a memorable emotional, lengthy closing solo.
Being a standout act in the NWOTHM scene is one thing, but becoming one of the finest bands in the modern heavy metal era is another. I believe Tower have managed to achieve this by marking their 10-year anniversary with not only their darkest, heaviest, and most accomplished offering to date, but what could easily be considered one of the best albums the genre has produced in recent years. Let There Be Dark is a true treasure in the modern heavy metal world, offering some of the most memorable hooks and groundbreaking performances in the genre. If you consider yourself a traditional heavy metal fan, then it is a no-brain situation for me to recommend this to you.
Rating breakdown
| Performance: | 9 |
| Songwriting: | 8 |
| Originality: | 6 |
| Production: | 8 |
Written on 28.03.2025 by
Written on 28.03.2025 by
An honest review that you don't necessarily have to agree with. Comments
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Posts: 64489
Intersting thanks for this will check it out
---- I stand whit Ukraine and Israel. They have right to defend own citizens. Stormtroopers of Death - "Speak English or Die"  I better die, because I never will learn speek english, so I choose dieing
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| Posts: 6677 |
Posts: 6677 Written by Bad English on 17.08.2025 at 07:55 It's one of the best heavy metal releases this year imo, I reckon you'll like it.
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