Artist description Classic metal style with distinct doom and thrash influences. We specialize in complex, original arrangements and melodic guitar harmonies. METALL!!!!

Music Style classic metal

Musical Influences Iron Maiden, Black Sabboth, Judas Priest, Forbidden, Sanctuary, Candlemass, Cranium

Similar Artists Iron Maiden, Manowar, Judas Priest, Fates Warning

Artist History Twisted Tower Dire formed in 1995 for the sole purpose of resurrecting True Heavy Metal. Influences were drawn from Iron Maiden, Black Sabbath, Judas Priest, and Candlemass. After releasing two legendary demos, several split EPs and contributing to various sampler CD’s to critical acclaim, the band unleashed their debut full-length album on England’s Miskatonic Foundation label in 1999. Although the recording was financed by the band on a small budget, the sheer passion and energy of the delivery, coupled with the true grit of utter conviction, was more real and infinitely more threatening than a whole army of designer-clothed millennium metal rebels could ever hope to be! Their debut won them further recognition in the underground and reinforced the notion that the band was truly a force to be reckoned with. From 1999 to 2000, the band embarked on a relentless, self-financed world tour which included live performances at The Wacken Open Air Festival (Germany), The Bradford Metal Inquisition (England), The Milwaukee Metal Festival (Wisconsin), The March Metal Meltdown (New Jersey), The Powermad Festival (Maryland), The Phantasmagoria Metal Festival (Maryland), and The North Carolina Metal Festival as well as many smaller club dates. In 2001 they released the critically acclaimed "Isle of Hydra" album on The Miskatonic Foundation and Hellion Records. In support they played several shows in the Mid Atlantic Region and beyond, including an appearance at The Classic Metal Festival in Michigan. In July 2002 Twisted Tower Dire completed their second European tour and are currently playing local gigs in the Mid Atlantic Region with an appearance at this year’s Milwaukee Metalfest. In addition to this, they’re preparing material for their third album "The Crest of the Martyrs" which will be released on Germany's Remedy Records in June 2003, and followed with a European tour and appearance at the world famous Wacken Festival in Wacken, Germany. Although the line up has changed many times over the years, Twisted Tower Dire’s seminal vision has remained the same. Today they continue to fight for the legacy of Heavy Metal with their strongest line-up to date; Tony Taylor on vocals, Scott Waldrop on guitar, Dave Boyd also on guitar, Marc Stauffer on drums, and Jim Hunter on bass. Long live the Tower’s Heavy Metal reign!

Group Members Tony Taylor(vocals), David Boyd (guitar), Marc Stauffer (drums), Jim Hunter (bass), Scott Waldrop (guitar)

Instruments 2 guitars, percussion, bass, and vocals.

Albums The Curse of Twisted Tower (1999, Miskatonic Foundation), The Isle of Hydra (2001, Miskatonic Foundation), Crest of the Martyrs (2003, Remedy Records)

Press Reviews Arise, ye warriors of the true metal underground, for Twisted Tower Dire has come to unleash powerful, epic heavy metal upon your unsuspecting ears! This band is producing some of the most convincing, authentic heavy metal in the scene today, bar none. Combine the grandiose arrangements of early Fates Warning with the melody and dual guitar attack of early '80s, post Di’Anno Iron Maiden and you’ve just scratched the surface of grasping the sound of Twisted Tower Dire. The vocals have a tone that reminds me of a blend of John Arch and Candlemass crooner Messiah Marcolin. The smooth yet powerful delivery gives the songs added class. The singer’s sense of melody is outstanding and will have you singing along with fists raised in no time. The two guitarists sound like a blend of the coolest elements of the Murray/Smith and Matheos/Ardunni guitar teams. Combining epic riffs, harmonious melodies and twin lead fireworks all over the record. No less of a powerhouse is the super-tight rhythm section. The double kick drums are well placed and the bass does its foundational job quite well. The entire album should be enjoyed from start to finish, as each of its tracks flow into each other with ease and fluency. If forced to pick out a few highlights, I’d have to start with the title track, “The Isle Of Hydra”. I love the way the double kicks are glued to the opening riff. The vocals give this a serious jolt of intensity right off the bat. The monk-like “Oohh’s” on the chorus add a tremendous amount of depth as well. “Dagger’s Blade” is another killer here with its strong mid-tempo riffing, inciting instant head-banging. This one has prominent Maiden-esque tendencies without even coming close to being a rip off. The melodic guitar bridge is marvelous! The strict time tempo and harmonized riffing kick “Final Stand” into 3rd gear from the start. The dueling guitars are the stars of this tune easily as they intertwine with string riffs and quick, blazing shots of harmony all throughout the song. There is also some really good vocal harmonizing and “call and answer” things going on. Light a candle and lay perfectly still when experiencing “Dying Breath”. Its somber, quiet, melancholy melody will soothe and lull you into a feeling of desperate longing as you’re drawn in to the lyrics with an excellent vocal delivery. This is TTD's equivalent of Rainbow’s “Rainbow Eyes”. Not only because it’s similarly acoustic based and melodic, but it’s also that good! The ebow guitar solo weeps bitterly all over the instrumental section only adding to the desolate mood of the song. This one’s easily my favorite, even amongst all the monster metal tunes on this disc. All fans of melodic, epic heavy metal need to own The Isle Of Hydra. It is completely essential and, in my opinion, should send TTD soaring light years past the Hammerfall’s of the world. [Shawn Pelata, www.digitalmetal.com]

Location Fairfax, VA - USA

Copyright notice. All material on MP3.com is protected by copyright law and by international treaties. You may download this material and make reasonable number of copies of this material only for your own personal use. You may not otherwise reproduce, distribute, publicly perform, publicly display, or create derivative works of this material, unless authorized by the appropriate copyright owner(s).