There are many endangered animals on this our mother earth. And not so long ago the verdant, lush and sunny uplands of heavy metal run abundant with all sorts of wondrous and varied varieties of classic heavy rock. One by one as the encroachment of popular music and the digital age took its toll on the last remaining habitats of these giants of rock, they fell slowly and silently into the past.
Not so the Tygers Of Pan Tang. They kept them fresh and vibrant and safe by continuously evolving. You would still recognize the DNA of one of the most energetic and influential of the NWOBHM movement. Take the crushing heaviness from the 70’s UK bands that pioneered the heavy rock scene and mixing it with a healthy amount of the speed and swagger of punk, not forgetting to throw in the mix the showmanship of the Glam rock masters and you get a self-defence mechanism that many would only dream of. So even with several line up changes and what seemed an age between some of their albums, they are still a force to be reckoned with.
This album Bloodlines is a worthy successor of 2019’s Ritual, and if you have not heard then, I urge you to take a listen straight after reading this. I thought at the time it would be a big call to follow that album, but like all great rock gods, they did it.
Right from the first crushing notes of Edge Of The World to the ringing in the ears after the final solo in Making The Rules, its jam packed with classic NWOBHM moments. This is not to say that they are not a modern force to be reckoned with because they truly are.
Take note dear readers the production and mix feel very heavy and crushingly clear. Unlike some of their compatriots who produce a muddy and distorted product in search of the heaviest sound, they can get. Having a good sing-along is all part of the fun of classic heavy metal who amongst us has not at one time or another, whilst listening to the Tygers’ solid gold 1980 classic Wild Cat, not pulled some denim clad shapes in their bedrooms because I’m not too proud to say I have. And that is not possible when the vocal is suppressed under an avalanche of instruments and click-track nonsense.
You can’t kill great Rock and Roll the Tygers have and still are proving this in spades, so don’t just take my advice on the matter go jump into their back catalogue if you’re new to them, you will see what all the noise is all about. Then when you’re finished, you will be ready for this epic and thunderous album. I am going to say it and you can’t stop me it’s all Killer, no filler.
Now that they have secured their survival, what next is in store for this heaviest of heavy metal beasts, I wonder?
Tygers Of Pan: Facebook
Release Year: 2023
Label: Mighty Music
Category: Album
Country: UK
Reviewed by Tony Evans
