Album Review-Tygers of Pan Tang: Tygers Of Pan Tang

Tygers of Pan Tang released their self titled twelfth album on October 28^th, 2016. Known as one of the many groups that should have hit super stardom within the NWOBHM, Tygers of Pan Tang have finally carved out another new album since 2012. I myself have been a Tygers fan through the years but unfortunately physical copies of their music is very hard to come by especially in the US. But either way I have always dug their style regarded as “melodic hard rock”. Now with only original member Robb Weir, can Tygers still carve out a good album or is the magic that they once held so high fizzed out?

Track Rundown

1.Only The Brave- Right away this album opens superbly strong with easily one the catchiest songs in years. It has that very old school galloping metal feel to with with a lot of solid rhythm playing too. I also have to say that the production on this album is very slick as well and for the better. You can tell a lot of care went into making this album. Vocalist Jacobo Meille handles himself very well and delivers one of Pan Tang's strongest chorus' in years.

2.Dust- This song has a lot of that bluesy hard rock feel to it but still retaining a lot of catchiness as well. It almost sounds like a brand new hard rock band as well with how many fresh musicians are associated with the band now, it can either make a band sound stale or in this case gives them new life and I think it helps introduce them to a new generation. The chorus is very melodic but kicks a lot of ass as well. This song also has one of my favorite solo's on the album as well.

3.Glad Rags- This tune definitely has that 80's mainstream heavy metal feel to it especially in the chorus but it is still just as enjoyable. It is again pretty damn catchy and holds a lot of charisma behind it as well. Good drinking tune I'd say!

4.Never Give In- A heavier faster tune that hearkens back to tunes like “Wild Cat” and is a welcomed return honestly because they keep it really tight and still put out a lot of power. Definitely a kick ass heavy metal tune that needs to be part of their live set.

5.The Reason Why- definitely one of the more “ballad” like songs on the album but I think it's done well because it keeps things as a consistent pace it actually goes by quicker than I thought it would. It is again really catchy especially in the chorus and again sounds like a newer band, like you would never guess these guys came out of the NWOBHM but it's them and it is done very well.

6.Do It Again- This is another more melodic up beat hard rock song that definitely h]goes back to their early days. It is one of my favorite songs on the albums just for how straightforward and ballsy it sounds. The overall sound of this song just defines what the New Wave Of British Heavy Metal was all about. Just about being kick ass and having huge hooks.

7.More hard rock goodness with more of a mid tempo to it. I really dig the rhythm to this song especially during the verses. The chorus gets a bit repetitive but the verses make up for it for me anyway. Not a bad tune.

8.Praying For A Miracle- Another more ballad type song opening with some nice acoustic riffs. I really like the emotion this song conveys and definitely has some radio friendly qualities to it. It has a very strong chorus as well and defines their whole “melodic hard rock” style. A solidly written melodic rock song with some very nice hooks peppered throughout.

9.Blood Red Sky- Another pretty solid hard rock tune with some nice galloping riffs throughout every verse. I really like the chorus on this song as well it is simple but works very well. Another one of those songs you just want to crank up high. I really like the quieter parts as well it adds a bit of variety.

10.Angel In Disguise- This is probably the softest song on the album that sounds very similar to the previous song. It is still welcomed I feel because it is done very well and sounds fresh. It serves as a very good prelude to my favorite song on the album.

11.Devil You Know- Opening with some heavy riffing and some of the most infectious riffs on the whole album, I just love how heavy the rhythm is in this song. The chorus is catchy as hell as well. Easily my favorite song on the album for how well it balances heaviness and melodic themes. One hell of a closer that ends with the growl of a tiger.

Overall this album get a strong 7.5 out of 10. I really dug this record it really is fun to listen to. It really is an album that showcases what Tygers of Pan Tang are really about and I think has the band really come full circle in their career. It is full of strong hooks, memorable guitar lines and songs that easily fit with Tygers older discography. Highly suggest picking this album up.