So I come home from work, change into my funky pyjamas, pour some zerofat Greek yogurt along with whole grain tachin and reiki honey and open my home computer. Another boring day, I expect nothing new, nothing fascinating from the metal world. But what do I see? An e-mail from my buddy Chris, chief editor of the Forgotten Scroll ‘zine saying that the content in the attached file is 100% for me. I open the file and I come across an album from the unknown, to me, band called TOWER HILL. The album’s title is “Deathstalker” and according to the press-release the title track is based in the ultra-cult 80s trash sword and sorcery film “Deathstalker“. And yes, I have seen “Deathstalker” (and its two sequels and the 00’s “Barbarian” reboot) each on cassette, therefore it was only a matter of seconds till I played the album. And holy shit…it was wicked.
TOWER HILL play no-holds-barred classic Heavy/Power metal mostly inspired by the German late 80’s-early 90’s scene: ACCEPT/UDO, RUNNING WILD, RAGE, CHROMING ROSE, early HEAVEN’S GATE, HELLOWEEN, GRAVE DIGGER, SCANNER. (YES, I SAID FUCKING SCANNER). Every German heavy metal band that was around at this time can be heard here. Even newer acts like STORMWARRIOR, PARAGON, CRYSTAL EYES, BLAZON STONE/ROCKA ROLLAS can be identified in the songs: Twin lead, Celtic inspired harmonics, firm bass, thunderous drumming. This is a heavy as hell with inspired songwritting, catchy choruses, memorable tunes that do not get dull. Vocals are quite fitting: expressive, emotional and rough.
What’s more, R.F. Traynor sings like a metalhead, not like some ironic hipster that he is into metal for the apparel. If I had to choose a couple of highlights, I’d say that the title track, “The claw is the law“, “All the little Devils…” (best chorus in the album) and the astonishing RUNNING WILD-ish “Port of Saints” deditacted to the late LEGEND Majk Moti.
TOWER HILL‘s “Deathstalker” is an album made by metallers for all those old farts who grew up with solid merciless metal, dont miss it.
Check the discussion about the album in our forum pages.
Listen to TOWER HILL‘s “Deathstalker” on our radio show:
