TOWER – Let There Be Dark (2025) *HQ*
New York City’s own TOWER belongs to other planet – or better, other era. Their new album ”Let There Be Dark” is a powerhouse ode to classic ’80s metal full of sizzling guitar work and the massive vocals of female Sarabeth Linden. The CD mix the best elements of early U.S. metal and NWoBHM but with a sound & style that leaves you tired – tired of headbangin’!
This 5-piece dig deep into the Eighties metal crypts for retro gold – and dude, they are really good at it. Recording took place between October and December 2024, with renowned producer and engineer Arthur Rizk (King Diamond) at the helm. ”Let There Be Dark” is metallic, dark indeed, and heavy, but always melodic.
Opener ‘Under the Chapel’ is a barn scorcher full of dazzling riffwork leveraging the raucous, primal edge of NWoBHM, but rather than coming in at 12 and staying there, Sarabeth opts for seductive croons over brute force at times, using her enchanting siren song to create a more diverse experience. The aggressive music pairs very well with Sarabeth’s shifting tones and the song sticks in the grey matter immediately.
The title track is another in-your-face rocker leaning on 80s speed metal, providing Sarabeth the perfect foundation to roar and soar. The chorus is a simple but elegant fist-pumper and their rowdy retro magic shines brightly. The high point arrives with “Holy Water,” which is just a lean, mean metal tune full of pugnacious attitude, ripping guitar work, and mammoth vocals. Sarabeth goes all in here, showing all phases of her range.
Elsewhere, “Book of the Hidden” scores another big win for Tower, finding an epic level in their sound that marries well with the straightforward, no-nonsense riff hooliganism, making the whole thing reek of 1983.
Visually, ”Let There Be Dark” evokes an ancient, mystical aesthetic. Designed by Jared Fleming, the album’s cover art resembles a centuries-old bound manuscript, reflecting an era when sacred texts were painstakingly crafted by scribes. A viper-style serpent—specifically the Saw-Scaled Carpet Viper (Echis coloratus)—emerges as a recurring symbol, tying the album’s themes to ancient civilizations, theology, and the origins of recorded history.
To change things up, they deliver a seething metal ballad called “And I Cry” where Sarabeth wallows in emotional tumult. The singer shines, forcing your rapt attention despite the maudlin mechanics. Better still is “Don’t You Say” where they borrow a lot from the classic Judas Priest brooder ‘Night Comes Down’.
The very Mötörhead-esque “Iron Clad” cracks with a huge sound, while closer “The Hammer” is one of our favorites, a badass song with a lot of groove and melodic twin guitars, at places close to hard rock.
Sararbeth Linden is the vibrant core of the band, with her vocals doing much of the heavy lifting. She has the rough-hewn rasp of Janis Joplin and the breathy power of a young Cher and I continue to be awed by the size and scope of her voice. The lady sounds massive at all volumes and she’s exceptionally versatile. She can blow the doors off with a leather-lunged roar and beguile with a soft lilt.
Speaking of explosives, James Danzo and Zak Penley use their wanton guitar heroics to fight Sarabeth for your attention. Their playing reminds me a lot of Satan’s Russ Tippins and Steve Ramsey as they rip off flaming riffs, hooky harmonies, and face-melting solos. They capture the early 80s metal sound of double axe attack.
Together with bassist Phillip Arman and new kit killer Keith Mikus, they lay out a wonderful soundscape for Sarabeth to chew on, and chew she certainly does.
Tower play classic metal, but they different from the bunch. A band to watch in the retro metal space now and they have the talent to do anything they want. Climb this Tower to the tippy-top and hurl yourself into the retroverse.
Highly Recommended
01 – Under the Chapel
02 – 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
Sarabeth Linden – Vocals
James Danzo – Guitar
Zak Penley – Guitar
Philippe Arman – Bass
Keith Mikus – Drums
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