Release date: 4 July 2025

Dutch traditional metallers, Black Knight, finally unleash their fourth full-length album, “The Tower”, after a relentless journey spanning over four decades. Formed way back in 1982, for those yet to discover this seasoned outfit, their very existence, with two powerful demos in the 80s and early 90s, and a fiery 1998 debut album, “Tales from the Darkside,” instantly raises curiosity to think what sonic treasures they’ve been guarding! They’ve left a trail of headbanging fans across the Benelux, Germany, and Bulgaria, proving their mettle on the road.

Since their inception, these Dutch stalwarts, with founding drummer Rudo Plooy as the unwavering heartbeat, have been honing a sound deeply rooted in traditional Heavy Metal, finely blended with powerful, no-nonsense aggression that avoids any hint of cheese. Their journey continued with “The Beast Inside” in 2007 and the acclaimed “Road to Victory” in 2020, which garnered spectacular reviews despite COVID-related tour delays. Surely its roots are deep in the European metal tradition, with influences spanning from the Teutonic might of Accept and the modern power of Primal Fear.

None can deny that bands with such longevity often possess a unique electrifying sensationalism that always feels authentic and traditional of its own kind. And, Black Knight, spearheaded by the able axe slingers GertJan Vis (returning) and Ruben Raadschelders on guitars, Ron Heikens on bass, and new frontman Henk Overbosch—who took the stage at MISE Open Air 2022—seems hell-bent again on making their thrilling blend of classic metal influences with a modern, impactful production to remind all again of their forces and qualities. This lineup crafts a tight and compelling foundation, delivering an effective collection of hammering riffs and ear melting harmonies as they crunch and crack along, all while staying true to their classic old-school vibe.

Review

Holding a solid tracklist of 10 numbers, the album kicks into high gear after a brief, atmospheric intro. The title track, ‘Tower’, immediately throws all their classic metal at you like a powerful sonic wave, leaving you vulnerable to its brutal stun. It’s a burly, badass, fist-pumping gem not far from what Primal Fear churn out on a good day, and it has that big, anthemic sizzle that makes you want to throw cars at disfavored locals. ‘Survive’ comes out with a heavy battering ram riff before shifting gears to a style that suits them well. Black Knight truly possesses a real gift for crafting classic metal hooks that dig deep and get you on board. Shockingly, they deliver seven ball-busting metal chestnuts in a row without a dip in quality. You get a grinding, moody power ballad like ‘Misery’, and then they just as easily bludgeon you with an Accept style steamroller like ‘Die’. This stuff puts you between the hammer and surely the slick songwriting heard on a Heavy Metal cut like ‘Deceivers’ doesn’t comes often.

The overall warm and high octane production finely expressed the energy, atmosphere, and feeling that the band captured. The musicianship throughout is precise and passionate, perfectly complementing Henk Overbosch’s vocal range; he delivers classic metal vocals with poise, power, and enough versatility to move from mood to mood without sounding forced. He has the right amount of grit and power to convince and follow. While the album maintains a consistent high quality, the closing track, ‘Im Dunkein’, presents a curious stylistic shift with its German language soft rock balladry. Though an unexpected detour that might surprise some, it doesn’t diminish the sheer force and quality of the preceding tracks.

Conclusion

Reflecting that, this record strives through driving riffs, soaring vocals, strong tasty bass lines, and a blend of well-placed melodic elements, together giving away a haunting, atmospheric experience reminiscent of the golden eras of all things heavy and magical. This album is a call to tear down the towers of division and create a better world through the power of metal. With all these, Black Knight’s latest offering, “The Tower,” is a confident, well-crafted album that respects its roots while pushing forward the growing of the band as a force to be reckoned with. After celebrating their 40th anniversary with their “40 years live!” album, this record is forged to shock ears and expectations of all possessed fanatics of Traditional and Classic Heavy Metal.

TheNwothm Score: 8/10

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