TYGERS OF PAN TANG

LIVE BLOOD

REVIEWER – GRAEME WRIGHT

‘Bloodlines’ was the most recent album from Tygers Of Pan Tang and was one of my albums of the year in 2023. My history with the band goes back a lot further than that however. They were at the forefront of the NWOBHM movement and I first saw them live at the Liverpool Empire way back in 1982 (if my memory serves me I suspect it was on ‘The Cage’ tour and it was a fantastic show.) Things have now come full circle and after all these years the band are finally releasing a live show album called ‘Live Blood’. They have been asked to do this so many times over the years and finally the stars have aligned with this new release.

The record was recorded at The Patriot in Newport and I’ve been dying to get my hands on it since it’s release was first whispered many months ago. There is always a danger with live records that they simply provide a snapshot of a bands live show and very little effort goes into them, but from the opening words of the traditional intro it’s clear that we are in for a treat. The production is subtle enough to make the record sound professional and melodic while showing few signs of tampering with the bands unique sound. All the classics are here with more than a smattering of tracks from the latest album, so it’s clear from the opening bars of ‘Euthanasia’ that we are in safe hands. This band are renowned for their fiery guitar work as well as the totally unique vocal style of Jack Meille and this is fully on display right from the off. “We’re back”, screams the vocalist as we fly through the first few songs which include ‘Keeping Me Alive’ and ‘’Love Don’t Stay’ which thunders along as though performed by a hungry young band, while ‘Gangland’ portrays this outfit at its finest.

I’m a big fan of this band so giving me this album to review is probably a slam dunk, but back in the day I always felt they were as good as Iron Maiden even though the gods didn’t align to afford them the same levels of success. I’m not going to mention every song on display here as there are eighteen songs as well as the intro( at least on the vinyl version), but as the record proceeds it’s clear to see that the Tygers have a huge number of high quality Metal songs in their repertoire. New songs such as ‘Edge Of The World’ sit comfortably with old favourites such as ‘Love Potion No.9’ and to be honest for me the new stuff is actually even better than the songs the band are renowned for. Highlights are too many to mention but I’ll give a special shout of for energetic versions of ‘Destiny’ and ‘Back For Good’. The newer band members have fitted in seamlessly and by the time we finish the proceedings with ‘Blood Red Sky’ I’m fully on board with this beast of a record which shows why this band still have a big following to this day. The fans know that the Tygers are one of the best live bands from back in the day who are still plying their trade to great acclaim even now after all these years. If you’ve ever had an affinity for this band the live collection held within this record will not disappoint, so this album is highly recommended to fans both new and old.

BAND

Jack Meille – Vocals

Robb Weir – Guitar

Francesco Marras – Guitar

Huw Holding – Bass

Craig Ellis – Drums

ALBUM TRACK LIST

1. Intro

2. Euthanasia

3. Keeping Me Alive

4. Love Don’t Stay

5. Gangland

6. Edge Of The World

7. Destiny

8. Back For Good

9. Only The Brave

10. Paris By Air

11. Do It Good

12. Insanity (vinyl bonus track)

13. Fire On The Horizon

14. A New Heartbeat

15. Slave To Freedom (vinyl bonus track)

16. Suzie Smiled

17. Hellbound

18. Love Potion No.9

19. Blood Red Sky (vinyl bonus track)