If you love your Hard Rock distinctly old school with a Metal edge and yet still with plenty melody then this is probably one for you. Tygers were born in another age when bands took their names from Science Fiction books, vinyl was king and people went to concerts to listen to music rather than take selfies and report their whereabouts. That such a name still exists in 2023 tells you all you need to know about dedication and the power of a name. Tygers 2023 though are a very different animal to the hungry beast that put out ‘Wild Cat’ in 1980, 43 years ago and Robb Weir their only original member, though vocalist ‘Jack’ Meille is just about to hit 20 years with the band and drummer Craig Ellis has just hit 23 years of service.
So if you’re up for a bit of no frills Hard and Heavy Rock then dive right in. ‘Edge Of The World’ is a lengthy bombastic opener that sounds just like you hoped: this is after all the first full album written by the newest line-up. As a result of that stylistically it plays it a bit safe without ether harkening back to that signature early sound or dwelling too much on the more commercial fare they moved on to. In truth it ends up not quite knowing what it wants to be and whilst there’s nothing awful on here there are only a few real highlights, but what highlights they are! Hidden mid-album ‘Back For Good’ is the sort of song that really takes you back; and closer Making All the Rules’ a slower, assured rocker with some lovely guitar. More like those two and everyone would be talking about ‘Bloodlines’.
7 / 10
TRACKLISTING:
1. Edge Of The World
2. In My Blood
3. Fire On The Horizon
4. Light Of Hope
5. Back For Good
6. Taste Of Love
7. Kiss The Sky
8. Believe
9. A New Heartbeat
10. Making All The Rules
LINE-UP:
Robb Weir – guitar | Francesco Marras – guitar | Jack Meille – vocals | Huw Holding – bass | Craig Ellis – drums
Web / social:
TygersOfPanTang.com
Facebook.com/tygersofpantangofficial
Instagram.com/tygers_of_pan_tang/