Author: Peter Podbrežnik
Artist: Tygers Of Pan Tang
Label: Mighty Music
Release: 2016
Length: 44:57
Rating: 4/5
Tygers Of PanTang, heroes of the NWOBHM scene, fans of the literary works of Michael Moorcock (hence their name) and the band that introduced the world to guitar maestro John Sykes, have struck again with a new studio album, their twelfth, which carries a simple but telling title – »Tygers Of Pan Tang«. A choice of title like that says a lot about the swagger of the latest version of this cult English band, which has spent most of its career happily spitting somewhere between classic heavy metal and hard rock.
In 2013 new guitarist Micky Crystal joined up, effectively teaming up with the band’s boss and only remaining original member, Robb Weir, Italian singer Jacopo Meille, drummer Craig Ellis and bassist Gavin Gray. Four years have passed since their last album, »Ambush« (2012), and musically not much has really changed at Tygers of Pan Tang since then; like its predecessor, the new album is firmly hard rock-oriented, with occasional jumps into classic heavy metal and a few short detours into funk and blues rock. Most of their power rests on Meille’s charismatic vocals, teasing guitar riffs and heroic solos from both guitarists, especially young Crystal, who is a true master at dramatically torturing guitar strings.
The best moment on an album that’s very consistent in quality is the opening track, »Only the Brave«, an authentic energy bomb cooked up from the ‘old-school’ NWOBHM recipe and easily the most energetic piece on »Tygers Of Pan Tang«, which is why they also made an official promo video for it. Electrified guitar passages and uncompromising drum fills peak in a mighty, multi-voiced chorus, where another trademark of this cult band shines through: a great sense for building vocal harmonies.
The remaining ten tracks don’t lag far behind the opening treat in quality and energy, and there’s enough variety between them that they don’t suffer from the classic ‘disease’ of many of today’s metal and hard rock bands, who, especially on their newer records, are plagued by a lack of dynamics and songwriting imagination. On »Dust«, Tygers Of Pan Tang, led by Meille’s vocal charisma and razor-sharp guitar passages, step confidently into the world of hard rock, while on »Glad Rags« blues rock and funk suddenly creep in too, though the hand claps and the overly repetitive chorus come off a bit annoying, which makes it one of the few weaker moments on the album.
The fighting »Never Give In« is a sharper, more metal-minded number again, with speedy rhythms, possessed guitar passages, an aggressive vocal approach and a bravura guitar solo, which together make for a really good contrast in mood. On the ballad »The Reason Why«, what impresses most is Meille’s vocal chameleon act, as he almost completely changes the color of his voice, while the love lyrics come off rather clichéd. »Do It Again« is a leap into somewhat dirtier but still classic hard rock, with sharpened guitar phrases, quality backing vocals and massive drum fills.
The funk-leaning »I Got the Music In Me« boasts a cheeky, multi-voiced chorus, while the melancholy cross between metal and hard rock, »Praying For a Miracle«, is a much more serious piece with an ‘inconsolable’ guitar solo. »Blood Red Sky« turns out even darker, with irritated guitar passages, a rising drum stampede and a furious vocal approach, where the harmonies and the vocoder are once again used in a pretty clever way. »Angel in Disguise« is a short, acoustic-leaning ballad, while »The Devil You Know« is a full-blooded hard rock ‘bomb’ with explosive drum crashes, kinetic guitar passages and yet another fantastic vocal performance. Right at the end of that track the band recorded a tiger’s roar, underlining that this time they really did make a classic Tygers Of Pan Tang album they can be hugely proud of.
Tygers Of Pan Tang have pleasantly surprised us with their self-titled album, which is above all a big hard rock party with a lively pulse and a gleaming production. Even though plenty of people have written them off too early more than once, the unbreakable heroes of the NWOBHM scene keep proving that they still live for their music and that pure-blooded heavy rock runs through their veins. »Tygers Of Pan Tang« is a record that will go down best with all fans of heavy rock heroes like Deep Purple, Led Zeppelin, Rainbow, Black Sabbath and Thin Lizzy, while at the same time it has enough moments reminiscent of the ‘good old days’ of the early eighties, which means it will suit all the longtime devotees too.
Line-up
Jacopo Meille – vocals
Robb Weir – guitar
Micky Crystal – guitar
Gavin Gray – bass
Craig Ellis – drums, percussion
Production
Soren Andersen and Harry Hess
Tracklist
1. Only The Brave
2. Dust
3. Glad Rags
4. The Reason Why
5. Never Give In
6. Do It Again
7. I Got The Music In Me
8. Praying For A Miracle
9. Blood Red Sky
10. Angel In Disguise
11. The Devil You Know
