About ten years back a friend of mine suggested that I check out a German progressive metal band; the band was Ivory Tower and I found myself instantly drawn to their progressive music. Recently I was listening to those two earlier CDs and wondered if they had released any more material, the answer to which was yes so I promptly ordered a copy. That CD is Subjective Enemy from 2008, and previous to that one Ivory Tower released their self titled debut in 1998, and followed that up with Beyond The Stars in 2000. Both of these earlier impressive albums could easily be put out today and wouldn't sound out of place. Ivory Tower's vocals are clean with many soaring higher notes; they play powerful progressive metal that's very accessible. There are seventeen tracks but not all are full length songs, though there is no lack of material.
Subjective Enemy is the tale of a man controlled by the evil that has consumed him, pushing others close to him away and the struggle he faces to change and escape the dark sides domination. Ivory Tower have done a fine job giving this release the appropriate feel to suit their story. The keyboards and vocals on "Listen!" set this musical tale on its way, and "Warning" has further keyboards plus the metal kicks in with the sounds of dual bass drum kicks and heavy guitar riffs.
"Access Denied" tells of blocked access to past memories, and it's quite a ballsy prog metal track with a catchy groove. "My World" is a wonderful progressive tune and one of Subjective Enemy's best. Up next "Welcome to" is introduced by way of a short but lively performance from drummer Flo Tabbert, as this entertaining heavy/technical track is dominated by the bands instruments and emphasizing their technical abilities. Saving the longest track for last Ivory Tower conclude Subjective Enemy with a powerful song called "Awake".
It is beyond me why this band doesn't seem to get talked about, as they certainly deserve to be a well known progressive metal act, especially with an impressively constructed concept CD like Subjective Enemy to their name.
Track List:
1. Listen!
2. Warning
3. Access Denied
4. The Calling
5. Answers
6. Words
7. Rise
8. Subjective Enemy
9. Breakthrough
10. My World
11. Welcome To
12. Nails
13. Construction Site
14. Aware
15. Keys
16. Fall
17. Awake
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