When White Tower first hit the scene a couple years ago, their name immediately graced the lips of NWOTHM trendies because of their eerie resemblance to Teutonic legends, Accept. Admittedly, I didn’t review their 2022 self titled debut upon its release, but I did explore it after the fact. Upon first listen, there was no denying that this did indeed sound more like ’80s Accept than Accept does these days. The riffs were purposely modeled after the Balls to the Wall album, the songs alternated between ferocious headbangers and hook-laden anthems, and singer/screamer Gago Karapetian was a dead ringer for Udo Dirkschneider. In a scene overflowing with Maiden and Priest worship acts, it was nice to have an Accept worship act join the mix.
This brings us to the band’s sophomore album, Night Hunters, which bears zero semblance to its predecessor whatsoever. I’m not even joking, by the way. Yes, it’s another no frills outing of ’80s throwback metal nostalgia, but I struggled to find any similarity to Germany’s beloved flash rockin’ men whatsoever. Instead, I was treated to something even more fulfilling than a faithful recreation of yesterday’s kings, and that’s a nonstop barrage of fist-pumping traditional metal bangers and violent speed bordering on early thrash and USPM.
This aforementioned speed influence becomes apparent from the opening seconds of “Total Evil”. With nods to Exciter and Agent Steel, the guitars are ripping, the drums are working overtime, and the vocals are absolutely over the top, sounding closer to John Cyriis pre-alien abduction than Udo. The title track carries on the high speed onslaught, as does the overly forceful “Knife in the Back”, aggressive “Warmonger”, and ferocious “Enforcer”. I’d be lying if I said these neck-snappers weren’t a bit predictable towards the back half of the album, but that doesn’t make them any less enjoyable.
On the flip side of this coin are flashes of heavy metal heaven, the likes of which wouldn’t sound out of place on a K-TEL compilation circa ’84. “Banshee” is an absolute masterclass in Sirens era Savatage worship, with its cryptic guitarwork and blatantly Jon Oliva-esque vocal melodies. “Tear Up the Night” and “Early Warning” tear it up old school style, ripping our skulls in half with gloriously retro riffage akin to Grim Reaper. The same can be said for the closing “Malice and Lvst”, which with a title like that, I was expecting to be a Venom inspired blackened speedster. Rather we’re treated to more Grim Reaper-isms, only this time with a tough, streetwise edge.
Although White Tower aren’t by any means redefining what it is to be a traditional metal band in 2024, they are a cut above the usual low-rung fare that has cluttered the NWOTHM scene for far too long. If they double down on the speed metal approach, I could see the next album being a first wave thrash throwback, not far removed from what Vulture is doing these days. Until then, I’ll gladly crank Night Hunters, both day and night! What more can I say, folks? It’s albums like this that make me feel good to be a metalhead.
7 out of 10
Label: Steel Gallery Records
Genre: Heavy Metal
For fans of: Traveler, Grim Reaper, Exciter
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