TYGERS OF PAN TANG - First Kill
June 2, 2004, 20 years ago
(Metal Nation)
No question, the Tygers were one of the higher grade NWOBHM standbys, especially with respect to the variety of styles which nonetheless stayed close to metal or when strayed, melodic rock. Although truth be, a lot of that adventure came from all the line-up changes, especially in the vocal slot. First Kill is a reissue of a longstanding rarities pack, but original vocalist Jess Cox (and now the head of the label that has put this out, Jess heading Neat, then Edgy and now Metal Nation) has added bonus tracks and a few rare picks to entice the faithful (lyrics are also included. Pretty cool set, First Kill being full up with more than acceptable NWOBHM chestnuts, most of which never made any of the albums. The four bonus tracks are rare demos, remastered, and they sound great, capturing the rubbed-raw biker rock magic of the original - and best - version of the band.
