Reviews list for Tower (USA) - Let There Be Dark (2025)

These occasional dips back into the heavy metal/traditional metal world seem to be a little easier on the ear than I have come to expect them to be, certainly over the past couple of months or so anyways. Another female-fronted outfit in the form of Tower follow hot on the heels of last months Serpent Rider feature release and they manage to land a bit more successfully it must be said. The spontaneity of Let There Be Dark is hard to not fall for. I recall the debut from this band back in 2021 and how it caused a minor ruckus amongst my online metal peers who celebrated it alongside many a favourable review also. I don’t recall anything particularly standout from the debut record and as such I have viewed Let There Be Dark on its own merits as a standalone record.

Tower give a good acquittal of themselves here, building a consistent and strong track listing that burns with the energy of Chastain without quite crossing into the speedier side of Sölicitör, but also espousing a health nod in the direction of Warlock along the way. The inclusion of two instrumentals feels a dubious choice in an otherwise well-constructed album, but when they focus their efforts into actual songs, Tower are at their very best I would say. Whilst the album may lack any genuinely stunning performances beyond the vocals of Sarabeth Linden, everything is played with competence with the caveat that some aspects (the drums) are a little staid overall.

It is hard for me to get too excited over such a regurgitated sound though. No matter how solidly it is played, this is nothing new to my ears and nostalgia alone is not enough to keep my scores higher than the mid-point for Let There Be Dark. Despite the unnecessary instrumentals, the album is succinct enough however, coming in at just under forty-minutes seems a sensible length to avoid boredom settling in for me and at no point do I scrabble for the skip button. For some, this record will be flying the heavy metal flag high, and I don’t dismiss that purpose. However, it is not one that I am as invested in as I was a few years ago and so it does sound to me like just another heavy metal record.

The amount of female-fronted bands in metal has grown over the years. And there are some bands who, after years of being all-male, add in one or two female members. I've been enjoying those kinds of bands lately. They're mostly symphonic metal though, and while I've had my on-off fondness for that genre, I felt up to exploring female-fronted bands of classic heavy metal. Seeing how well things turned out with listening to Benedictum, I shall have no problem with this band Tower...

Tower has released 3 albums and an EP. Vocalist Sarabeth Linden, guitarists James Danzo and Zak Penley, bassist Philippe Arman, and new drummer Keith Mikus have gathered together to perform their towering sound. Their 3rd album Let There Be Dark was recorded and produced by Arthur Rizk, with cover art made by Jared Fleming.

The album opens with "Under the Chapel", sounding punky in the guitars and drums, similar to NWOBHM. Sarabeth Linden's vocals can sound operatic while rocking out. The track also has a music video. Next up is the title track, with faster and more intense guitars and drums to mosh to. Sarabeth once again blows my mind with her singing. "Holy Water" has a creepy brief intro of a church sermon that then leads into another full-speed banger, having that US power metal vibe.

The incredible "And I Cry" begins sounding like a ballad, then they become more energetic in the second half and keep you hooked in no time. "The Well of Souls" is a short interlude. What follows is another hidden gem, "Book of the Hidden". And then one more half-minute interlude, "Legio X Fretensis".

You'll certainly be headbanging to "Iron Clad". Then "Don't You Say" is a slow yet brilliant track. The guitar duo sound so enthusiastic in the faster second half, and when they work together, they can prove their skills without problems. Sarabeth's vocal power shines the most in the impressive 6 and a half minute closing epic "The Hammer". The different melodies are so mesmerizing, and once it ends, you'll be begging for more.

So yeah, I enjoy Tower's contribution to the classic heavy metal revival. The different tempos work when placed right. The intense guitars and drums suit the unstoppable vocal force of Sarabeth and her talented greatness. The two interludes are a little disruptive, but every other track has given Tower a promising path in their career....

Favorites: "Let There Be Dark", "And I Cry", "Book of the Hidden", "Don't You Say", "The Hammer"