TYGERS OF PAN TANG - Animal Instinct
March 4, 2009, 15 years ago
(Cargo)
Cool to see these NWOBHMers back in business generating some serious curiosity factor even though there’s only one original member left in the pack. Will this new release hearken back to the Tygers’ classic roughshod debut (Wildcat), the more polished metal of the following two (Spellbound and Crazy Nights) or the commercial hard rock of The Cage? Laser hits plastic and soon one realizes that all three eras are channeled, a pretty seamless marriage in fact, held together by a consistently snappy rhythm section keeping a rockin’ vibe throughout. Vocalist Jacopo Meille definitely sounds more like Deverill than Cox, also reminiscent of Myles Goodwin (April Wine) at times too. The lead guitar solos tend to the ripping melodic side, tight blasts of wattage perfectly suited for this good-natured, fun collection of tracks. Who’da thunk it, some 30 years on and the Tygers are still able to create credible music worthy of their legacy. And man, ‘Bury The Hatchet’ is one seriously wicked throwback track to regain people’s attention, proving these Tygers are still on the prowl.
