Album Review: Tygers of Pan Tang – Electrifyed

Album Review: Tygers of Pan Tang – Electrifyed

Reviewed by Rich Oliver

Fifty years into a band’s career and one would expect them to slow down and take this easy but veteran NWOBHM stalwarts Tygers Of Pan Tang obviously didn’t get the memo and if anything have had a resurgence in their elder years and released some of their strongest material. Although those early albums such as “Wild Cat” and “Spellbound” are untouchable, Tygers have really been on a roll from the 2010s onwards and with album number fourteen “Electrifyed”, the band most definitely continue that trajectory.

With “Electrifyed”, the band have made a concerted effort to release a far heavier and more riff driven album drawing “inspiration from the raw energy of the band’s early years, particularly their landmark debut album “Wild Cat”, while showcasing the chemistry and creativity of the current line-up”. As frontman Jack Meille commented ““The heavier, the better” that was our mantra throughout the writing and recording of “Electrifyed”. And it is safe to say they have succeeded with the album very much sounding like a present day NWOBHM album mixing powerful heavy metal riffage with big hooks and melodic songwriting as exemplified in old school metal anthems such as ‘Forevermore’, ‘The Powers That Be’, ‘Revenge Is Sweet’ and the title track.

The vast majority of the line up that recorded previous album “Bloodlines” in 2023 return though this is the debut for new guitarist John Footit who joined the band this year. John is a welcome addition to the band and his guitar work as well as that of founding member Robb Weir really drives this album. The vocals from Jack Meille are also in fine form and really drive the melodic side of the Tygers sound.

So nearly fifty years in and Tygers Of Pan Tang are still releasing shit kicking old school heavy metal. This album isn’t experimental, progressive or cutting edge and it doesn’t need to be. At this stage in their career, Tygers Of Pan Tang know what works for them and they play their bollocks off here. If you are looking for the cutting edge in heavy metal music, you will not find that here but what you will find is great riffs, great vocals and great songs. As Robb puts it, this album is “steeped in the late 70’s, flavoured from the 80’s and ready for consumption right now!”. Play this loud with a beer in one hand and the horns thrown in the other.

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