TOWER OF BABEL – Lake Of Fire (2017)
“Lake Of Fire” is the debut album of TOWER OF BABEL, a new killer international hard rock act consisting of American and European musicians. Most will know guitarist Joe Stump and journeyman drummer Mark Cross (Helloween, Firewind, et all) out of the quintet, rounded by keyboardist Giuseppe Iampieri aka Mistheria (Vivaldi Metal Project), bassist Nic Angileri, and vocalist Csaba Zvekan.
As such, it shouldn’t be surprising that based on the musicians on hand, this is a feast for those who love classic ’70s / 80s influenced melodic hard rock with majestic vocals and light neoclassical touches in the vein of Dio, Rainbow, ’80s Malmsteen, Axel Rudi Pell, etc.
Joe Stump made fame during the ‘shredder guitar hero’ era, but the guitarist admits his admiration and inspiration from that Blackmore / Malmsteen school of blitzkrieg arpeggios and bluesy propensities – gaining more than your average eight bar measure lead break right out of the gate on “Dragon Slayer”.
The songwriting bounces around from the heads down power riff arrangements that clearly signal a metal stance versus slightly more commercial offerings that are Euro-melodic in the harmonies and hooks, not quite glam but more in line with say Dokken or Leathewolf.
When Tower Of Babel choose to ride out a tried and true, verse / chorus template – you get “Addicted”, a literally ‘addictive’ song one could expect from Cinderella or the John Sykes-period of Whitesnake during their Slide It In days.
But then they switch to Rainbow / Dio vibe in “It’s Only Rock’n Roll’ and pull off an elaborate yet groovy Blackmore-splashed demonstration of what Tower Of Babel can reach.
However, numbers like “Midnight Sun” and “Eternal Flames” are perfect vehicles for the band to stand on their own and belt out bluesy harmonies without an ear to past idols.
Mistheria channels his inner classic organ tones throughout, giving the title cut “Lake Of Fire” that evil/soulful mid-range element to keep the guitars galloping and allow Csaba to open up horizons through his multi-octave, Dio meets Mark Boals-like textures.
I’m an adherent of the Dio formula that includes a keyboardist with a keen understanding of rock arrangements. The band is blessed to have a stellar ivory innovator who adds acoustic showmanship throughout the album.
My favorite track “Eyes Of The World” is a moody masterpiece of epic proportions and clocks in at six minutes fifty-seven seconds making it the longest song on the release.
This is a really guitar-driven record but fortunately Stump put aside his ‘shredder guitar hero’ abilities in favor to a killer, hard rocking attack.
He has the capacity of restraint and executing a tasteful solo, as the exquisite “Once Again” conveys that ’80s mid-tempo comfort heard when Blackmore rejoined Deep Purple for Perfect Strangers for another triumphant return to glory.
Capturing that classic hard rock essence both in songwriting and execution – add to that a crystal clear production – Tower Of Babel has crafted a terrific debut album in “Lake Of Fire”.
I only hope this is not a single-disc project because this combo only could get higher. They have the chops, the talent, the ‘know-how’ to create this kind of music as it should be done.
People who miss Dio-led Rainbow, classic Gillian-fueled Deep Purple, early Yngwie, Michael Schenker, Whitesnake, etc, “Lake Of Fire” is a pure delight.
Very, Highly Recommended
01 – Dragonslayer
02 – It’s Only Rock ‘n’ Roll
03 – Lake of Fire
04 – Addicted
05 – Midnight Sun
06 – Eternal Flames
07 – Once Again
08 – Stardust
09 – Eyes of the World
10 – Lamb and the Wolves
11 – Thoth
12 – All Out Warfare
Csaba Zvekan (vocals)
Joe Stump (guitar)
Mistheria (keyboards)
Nic Angileri (bass)
Mark Cross (drums)
BUY IT !
www.roooar.com/music_uk/cd-tower-of-babel-lake-of-fire-20534.html
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