Twisted Tower Dire - Crest of the Martyrs (2003)

Funny story time... For T, I was debating whether to listen to this album or To-Mera's "Transcendental" and thus I pulled both off the shelf to give 'em a spin and see what I felt like listening to. To-mera was very dusty, and the sticky label on the slipcase particularly resilient to removal, and when I slipped out the plastic box and opened it. It was empty. No cd. Surely I've listened to this at least once, I pondered, and opened every cd drive in the house, including that of my old computer, of which the HD and box sits beside my desk. All empty. So, either I've managed to misplace the disc or I have never, ever opened this cd box and never received it. On the plus side - my brother may have a copy or I could buy it on itunes for $14.32.  Just debating whether it's worth it. The music store I bought it from - Real Groovy, have all closed their doors now, but I emailed the guy's new store, on the off-chance that the disc is lying around in the "lost boxes" pile somewhere. Not gonna hold my breath though!

Thus Twisted Tower Dire "win" this round!

TTD are an American power metal band from Virginia. They formed in 1995 and don't appear to have much else of note about them - or a wikipedia page (and wikimetal is broken).

It is a highly attractive album. Another digipack. The cover shows a graveyard on fire - the orange and the indigo a pleasant contrast. The flames form a hoard of tiny figures, carrying amongst them crucifixes from which their victims hang. The Grim Reaper rises in the darkling sky whilst lightning crackles around him. The gravestone contains the legend "The Disciple's Hate is darker than the martyrs". This cover is replicated inside on the booklet. The cd is also highly attractive, ringed in runic symbols and branded on the flipside with a ring announcing the band's name and their album title.

The album blasts into "At Night" with its old school metal rhythms and structures - reminiscent of Dio and with a hint of Warlord, even sounding slightly sludgy with that garage sound.

Somewhat more slamming, it's time for "Some Other Time, Some Other Place." Vocals are middling low, lower than most melodic metallers, but higher than baritone. Catchy chorus, over the bam-bam-bam of the drums and the shrill flurry of guitars.

We gallop into "Axes and Honour", another solid rockin' number. The theme is very mediaeval, somewhat Arthurian:

"Come, join our crusade. With axes and honour, our way of life's saved."

 It feels a little like they're trying to capture the mood of Manowar, but their music lacks somewhat in the creative, quirky charm. It's powerful and competent, but perhaps a little too polished, despite the slightly tinny edge to the mix. It feels to me rather like this is actually a record, not a cd.

"To be a Champion" feels like an American Hammerfall. The vocals aren't as pure and high, but the rhythms and structures are strong. The choruses are valiant and the sort you can chant (or scream) along with. Some nicely harmonic chanting too.

Another strong, solid number is "Infinitum". Vocals feel a little closer to shouter than singing, although he does get a bit melodious at times.

Similar structures in "Fight to Be Free". Faster pace. Violent lyrics:

"I'll kill who I can, spill blood upon the sand..."

By "Transfixed" we are definitely fitting into a musical pattern. Every song moves at a decent pace - not too fast but certainly not slow, the vocals vary from shout-singing to the occasional more melodious, same pitch, soaring chorus, and every so often there's a chorus of voices.

Picking up the pass and sliding in the sludginess for "Guardian Bloodline". I must confess, I've kinda tuned out now. The songs are rather lacking in diversity and although by themselves they're decent enough to listen to, in totality, the album is a bit on the drab side.

Gentle guitar, like sunbeams shimmering through leaves. Vocals soft and gentle, like a leaf dancing on the breeze. "The Reflecting Pool" is the most original and interesting track on this album, creating a feeling of golden sunlight shimmering across the azure waters. Of course, then it ruins it by charging back into the same rhythms we've already listened to on the previous 9 tracks. Really rather intense guitar duelling. Rapid drumming. Quite dramatic.

Finally we conclude with "False Orion", another slower number, with some interesting, poetic wordplay:

"As the smoke clears all the children's tears turn to dust in the wind..."

Moody and maudlin, with nice choruses and a good eerie feel. Then we rock on into that style we're becoming rather used to.

If Scanner were a European band that sounded semi-American, TTD are an American band that sound borderline European. The rhythms and structures are good and strong, very competent medieaval/fantasy metal. Not enough variety to totally stimulate my senses, however. The vocals are also a tad tending towards mild irritation.

Rating = 6/10