Tygers
of Pan Tang– Animal Instinct X2
Angel Air
http://www.angelair.co.uk/
Rating: B
British hard rock band Tygers
of Pan Tang found themselves smack dab right in the middle of
TNWOBHM (that’s The New Wave Of British Heavy Metal in case you
weren’t familiar with this well worn acronym) back in the late
70’s. While the band never really took off outside of Europe
they did release a handful of critically acclaimed albums and at
one point even counted future Thin Lizzy / Whitesnake guitarist
John Sykes among their ranks. The band eventually broke up for
good even after a couple of half hearted reunions in the mid to
late 89’s and again in the 90’s.
Since guitarist and sole
remaining original member Robb Weir reformed the band in 2001
and after going through a few vocalists before finally settling
on Italian belter Jacopo Meille in 2004, the Tygers seem to be
back running at full steam on this reissued album Animal
Instinct which originally came out in 2008.
The original material
contained on Animal Instinct sees the band retaining all
the classic elements of their sound yet these songs also come
across as remarkably fresh and current as well. It’s almost as
if someone gave these guys a firm kick to their asses because
there is definitely a rejuvenated feeling permeating throughout.
The twin guitar attack of Weir and Dean Robertson is absolutely
lethal on tracks such as “Cry Sweet Freedom” and “Let It Burn”
and coupled with Meille’s impressive vocal range the group tears
through these songs with a staggering sense of urgency.
This reissue also includes a
bonus DVD filmed in Berlin Studios so you get to witness the
bands lethal live attack up close as they dig deep into their
back catalogue going back to their earliest recordings,
including one of their last singles, a revved up cover of “Love
Potion No 9”.
Animal Instinct X2
is both a blast of nostalgia as well as proof that there’s still
plenty of bite left in the old Tyger yet.
-Ryan
Sparks
