Article and Photos by Steven Principato

Brooklyn, NY – Just a typical night at Greenpoint’s most well-known hidden den of debauchery, local hellraising act, Tower made themselves at home as they prepared to destroy the familiar stage of Saint Vitus once again.

Proudly setting fire to the popular local venue for the 13th time, (this time for a good cause) Tower proudly unleashed their massive sound upon the room for the benefit of breast cancer research, under the night’s bill titled, ”Fuck Cancer: A Breast Cancer Benefit.” Sparing not eardrums nor cancer on this Friday the 13th evening, the band proceeded to launch a deadly missile of flaming retro-charged hard-rock toward an eager mob with little warning as they commenced their assault.  

The band performed a few familiar hard rock classics that old guys like myself and cool dads would appreciate, such as Thin Lizzy’s “Cold Sweat” and Gun’s “Race With the Devil” (a cover of a cover, Tower appeared to channel the more energetic Judas Priest version). Crushing our skulls beneath their colossal stage presence, the high-energy five piece act featuring the guitar slinging duo, Zak Penely and James Danzo, with Justin Sherrell beating the drums, and Philippe Arman on the bass rammed down a sound worthy of an arena upon a venue that now seemed a bit too small for Tower. Fronted by a fringe-winged mistress of the dark, Sarabeth Linden, who cast her evil magic upon us; her beckoning beauty stopped our very hearts as the result of her ferocious banshee wails and seductive persona. Inevitably collapsing under the relentless sonic assault, the bewitched crowd willingly surrendered their souls to the all conquering Tower, all for a great cause.

Wrapping up the deafening set with their most recognized track, “Elegy,” with it’s familiar Journey-esque stomp, Tower offered solid evidence, despite many unsubstantiated claims, that rock is doing just fine. If you believe in rock and roll be sure to check out Tower’s full length, self titled record, Tower (2016, The End Records) and catch them on their US tour in the next few weeks in a city near you.