The band unleashed their self produced, full-length debut in 1999. Despite a modest budget, "The Curse of Twisted Tower" won over many dedicated fans that appreciated Twisted Tower Dire's traditional yet unique sound. From 1999 to 2000, the band embarked on a relentless, self-financed world tour in support of "Curse". This tour included U.S. appearances at the Milwaukee Metal Fest, March Metal Meltdown, The Powermad Fest, Phantasmagoria Metal Fest, and The North Carolina Metal Fest. A European stretch of the tour followed with fellow metal heathens The Lord Weird Slough Feg and Solstice including several club dates and appearances at the Wacken Open Air Festival and the Bradford Metal Inquisition.
In 2001, Twisted Tower Dire released the critically acclaimed "The Isle of Hydra" on The Miskatonic Foundation and Hellion Records. The album featured mature song writing abilities and improved production, but retained a certain underground grit. In support they played several shows in the Mid Atlantic Region and beyond, including an appearance at the Classic Metal Festival and a second appearance at the Milwaukee Metal Festival. In July 2002, Twisted Tower Dire returned to Deutschland to continue their relentless assault on small clubs and festivals abroad with a headlining appearance at The Headbanger's Open Air Festival.
In September of that year, Twisted Tower Dire signed to Germany's Remedy Records. Their third release "Crest Of The Martyrs" was unleashed upon the masses on May 26th, 2003. The song "Axes & Honour" was released as a limited vinyl single and picture vinyl single. The release of "Crest" was accompanied by a European tour including festival gigs at the Metal Bash Open Air Fest and the Wacken Open Air Fest.
Twisted Tower Dire has gone through countless trials and changes through its 10 year history but the seminal vision has remained the same from early basement practices to today. The "Tower Brethren" continue to fight for the legacy of Classic Heavy Metal with their strongest line-up and forthcoming 4th album “Netherworlds” in 2007.
On February 6, 2010, Tony Taylor, their former vocalist, died in a motorcycle accident.
The band appreciates the support of its dedicated fans and hopes to see you soon in the audience banging your head!
Current Members
* Jonny Aune – vocals
* Scott Waldrop – guitars
* Dave Boyd – guitars
* Jim Hunter – bass
* Marc Stauffer – drums
Former members
* Anthony "Tony" Taylor – vocals (deceased)
* Hayes Elkins – guitars
* Mike Engel – bass
* Nick Mertaugh – guitars
* Jim Murad – bass
* Tom Phillips – vocals
* Janet Rubin – vocals
Discography
* The Curse of Twisted Tower (1999)
* The Isle of Hydra (2001)
* Crest of the Martyrs (2003)
* Netherworlds (2007)
By My Hand
Twisted Tower Dire Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Of all that will and will not be, I can see the future
I am the dealer of pain, in every tragic deadly day
I could wash it all away
Have fire fall like rain
Erasing every trace of man
Steal the stars out of the sky
Kingdoms crumble by my hand
Those who breathed the poison, how it dried their veins away
To dust they will return, madmen I've created
Oh the blood they spill for me, as their rotting minds decay
These lyrics from Twisted Tower Dire's song "By My Hand" are about a powerful and dangerous figure who holds the key to the future and possesses the ability to unleash pain and destruction. The persona in the song is described as "reckless abandon," suggesting that this is not someone to be trifled with. The individual holds the key to all that will and will not be, implying that they have tremendous power and control over the future. Additionally, the lyrics make reference to the fact that this person can see the future, imbuing them with even greater power and foreknowledge.
As the song progresses, it becomes increasingly clear that this person is not a force for good. They are described as the "dealer of pain" and are responsible for creating "madmen" who spill blood in their name. Additionally, the persona is able to "wash it all away" and "erase every trace of man," suggesting that they have the ability to wipe out entire civilizations if they so choose. The imagery in the lyrics is dark and ominous, underscoring the destructive power of this individual.
Line by Line Meaning
I am reckless abandon, in my clutch I hold the key
I am impulsive and careless, yet I have the power to decide what happens next.
Of all that will and will not be, I can see the future
I have the ability to predict what will happen and what will not happen, I have insight into the future.
I am the dealer of pain, in every tragic deadly day
I cause pain and suffering every day, and I am responsible for tragedies that occur.
I could wash it all away
I have the power to put things right, as if washing everything away, starting again from scratch.
Have fire fall like rain
I can make fire appear uncontrollably, just like rain from the sky.
Erasing every trace of man
I can make all humans disappear from the world, without a single trace left.
Steal the stars out of the sky
I have the power to steal the stars from the sky, even the heavens are within my grasp.
Humanity crucified
I have the power to end humanity, to put it to death by crucifixion.
Kingdoms crumble by my hand
I can completely destroy entire kingdoms with my own hands, it's all under my power.
Those who breathed the poison, how it dried their veins away
There are people who have breathed the poison I created, causing their veins to dry up and wither away.
To dust they will return, madmen I've created
They will ultimately become dust and drift away, I have created these insane people.
Oh the blood they spill for me, as their rotting minds decay
As their minds slowly decay, they will do anything for me, including spilling blood.
Contributed by Hudson G. Suggest a correction in the comments below.