STRONGER

There's A Progressive Metal Bog

See, for me anyhow, there's a swamp- the knock-out guitar riffs, frenetic drumming, the voice using a variety of menacing/howling/passionate tones in octaves or close harmonies, shredding lead lines, the lyrics that may or may not signify anything of substance- and the bog starts to clamp down on my mind, my attention, my interest.

Others Have Staked Out This Territory

You know the ones- Symphony X, Vanden Plas, even the beloved and be-hated Dream Theater- who have polished this particular niche to a gleaming, roaring, soaring sheen.

It has immediate appeal, grabs your brain and your behind, makes you stand up and shout and bang your head- then sort of...drags...you...down.

It's sound and fury, signifying nothing much really.

Yeah. The Bog.

Ivory Tower can TRULY pulverize and cauterize. When they hit full stride it can make your eyes bug out and your brain explode. There are passages in "The Stronger" that melt my few remaining brain cells and stir the lesser-known organs into full riot mode.

You think they've ramped it up pretty good...and then they turn it up two more notches of intensity and fire.

At The Same Time

Well, damn. Back to the bog. The standard, run-of-the-mill guts and glory and polish and sheen. Nothing WRONG with it- the guitar guy is really really hot, the vocals are excellent in pitch and passion, the drummer is smokin' and frenetic and precise. The band plays well as an ensemble.

It just doesn't grab me.

And about the time I'm ready to write these guys off as yet another talented bog-band, they go and surprise me.

So, A Few Stand-out Tracks

I thought "In Me" was pretty great- truly massive wall of sound, slightly more than usual exotic feel to the progressions.

"Strong" shows off guitar-guy's use of distance and in-your-face, truly ballsy, gutsy vocals with raspy and intense and menacing tones.

And "Passing" seemed the most "progressive" of the tracks, starting reflectively, then that heavy, ripping guitar, vocals playing with major and minor keys, changing time signatures, and some tasteful keyboard work.

Wrap it up, Reviewer

OK. For me it's a strong 3 or the forbidden zone of 3.5. There is a lot to like, and some pretty strong flirtation with The Bog. I think Ivory Tower can still get "Stronger".

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