Tower | Let There Be Dark | Cruz Del Sur Music

 

Tower formed in New York City in 2015, emerging from the underground with a sound that pulled from traditional heavy metal, hard rock, and elements of punk intensity. With Sarabeth Linden at the helm, the band quickly gained attention for their energetic live performances and unfiltered approach to classic metal. Their self-titled debut (2016) and follow-up "Shock To The System" (2021) established them as a force within the contemporary metal scene. Over the years, Tower has toured extensively and evolved their style, moving toward a darker and more intense musical identity. With "Let There Be Dark", they solidify their place as one of the more focused and uncompromising voices in modern heavy metal.

On their third studio album, "Let There Be Dark", Tower moves with a sharpened sense of direction and conviction. What began as a band rooted in a high-octane fusion of classic metal and hard rock now arrives with a full commitment to a heavier and more foreboding sound. There’s a distinct sense of gravity throughout the album, both in tone and subject, that wasn’t as central in their earlier releases.

Produced by Arthur Rizk, known for his work across a broad swath of metal’s spectrum, "Let There Be Dark" carries a sharp intensity and an atmosphere that lingers. The production is organic and direct, favoring grit over gloss. New drummer Keith Mikus and returning bassist Philippe Arman give the rhythm section a strong backbone, while the twin guitars of James Danzo and Zak Penley weave tightly constructed parts that don’t rely on flash to make an impression.

Frontwoman Sarabeth Linden remains the defining voice of Tower, and her delivery throughout the album is arresting and forceful without overreaching. Her performance on "Under The Chapel", a track reportedly drawn from a personal memory and set against a bleak, evocative riff, is representative of the deeper emotional core this album explores.

There’s a noticeable variation in pacing and structure across the ten tracks, which helps maintain focus without repeating ideas. From slow-burning passages to straightforward heavy metal strikes, the shifts are well-placed and serve the overall dark aesthetic the band aims for.

"Let There Be Dark" sounds like the result of experience, not just in songwriting but in commitment to vision. After nearly a decade in existence, Tower offers a piece that feels true to their growth and reflects a band no longer flirting with heaviness but embracing it fully.

Score: 8/10