JOE STUMP’S TOWER OF BABEL – Days Of Thunder (2025) *HQ*
Almost eight years ago TOWER OF BABEL released a really strong debut album, however the band faced some troubles and the follow-up CD didn’t materialized. It seems guitarist Joe Stump formed a new version of the band and added his sobriquet to the band name, thus creating JOE STUMP’S TOWER OF BABEL — now the official name of the band, ready to release their new album titled “Days Of Thunder“.
Anyway, the line up from the debut album remains intact, except for new frontman, former NIGHTMARE and current KINGCROWN vocalist, Jo Amore. A great choice, his blues-soaked, yet high-pitched voice certainly lends itself to the convictions in these new songs admirably.
Musically “Days Of Thunder” is a terrific guitar-heavy, neo-classical hard rock / heavy metal disc drenched with inspiration from DEEP PURPLE, DIO, and especially RAINBOW. Joe Stump really know this game – he is currently the guitarist for the reignited ALCATRAZZ – with decades of experience in this classic hard rock type of music, and his songwriting and hooks are instantly enjoyable.
Along with the soaring vocals of Amore, the tight-fist-drumming of Mark Cross, the multi-dimensional Mistheria (aka The Maestro) on keyboards, and Nic Angileri nailing down the rhythms on bass guitar, Stump has once again prevailed in bringing heavy, energetic, yet gloriously melodic heavy music to the table with a style and panache rarely seen in 2025.
The likes of ‘Rules Of Silence’ and title track ‘Days Of Thunder’ propel themselves off with typically blistering Stump riffs which shimmer with dazzling technique, Amore’s vocals helping to further evoke the classic era of 80s European rock, whilst songs such as ‘Sacrifice’ and ‘The Princess’ dance the edge of speed and classic fireball rocking, the latter allowing some outrageous solos to unfold from both Mistheria and, of course, Stump, who proudly re-establishes his pedigree as one the world’s best axesmiths.
There’s also the mysterious, hazy groove of hip-swinger ‘Alone In The Desert’, a smokey backbeat dragging you into its soulful swagger.
All in all, taking a ride with Days Of Thunder is a Jedi mind trick of vintage sounds with ultra-fresh and vibrant sensibilities that will transport you back to the Hammersmith Odeon and the days when unabashed heavy music talent, power, colour and flare were celebrated and venerated.
Highly Recommended
01. Dominum
02. Rules Of Silence
03. Days Of Thunder
04. Blind Are Your Eyes
05. Alone In The Desert
06. In The Heat Of The Night
07. Sacrifice
08. Black Knight’s Prelude
09. Trust Me
10. The Princess
Joe Stump (guitar and guitar synth)
Jo Amore (vocals)
Nic Angileri (bass)
Mistheria (keyboards)
Mark Cross (drums)
Pre order:
amazon.com/Days-Thunder-Stumps-Tower-Babel/dp/B0F6MCHKGX
