The tiger takes another bite from its rotting prey, takes a lot at the cover in front of him and thinks to himself: "Is that me again on that Heavy Metal band's artwork?". Yes that is you, the same tiger, but you are probably the son of an older tiger that died years back, and the British NWOBHM veterans TYGERS OF PAN TANG are still its employers, probably for life. Same as the tiger, the music of the band seemed to have remained the same as it was more than thirty years ago, still biting, and still breathing the air of the old days without trying to adjust to what has been going on around it. Yeah, as the band suggested in their song "One Of A Kind", taken from their new album "Ambush", released via Rocksector Records, this piece of music can still be considered as one of its kind, well I think almost. Another cool fact about "Ambush", right before jumping into the album's entrails, is that it was produced by Chris Tsangarides, which produced two of the band's iconic releases of the 80s ("Wildcat" and "Spellbound"). Tsangarides's rich sound production ensured that TYGERS OF PAN TANGwill sound as vintage almost similar to their glorified past, and he did it magnificently.

Fundamentally, TYGERS OF PAN TANG, aside from changing their line up over the years, didn't seem to make too many changes in their music. Even if their past releases were a bit heavier than this particular album and their material since their comeback with "Mystical" in 2001, the crunchiness and an several pointers of the old NWOBHM patterns are still there gasping alongside a speck more American, and British, oriented late 70s Hard Rock guidelines. The music, as mentioned, is not that heavy but it is well crafted with well deserved guitar riffing, with several archetypal soloing, a hard-hitting rhythm section and a classic and mesmerizing vocal line that signalled that this is a British jack you are listening to. More or less I can't say that I didn't expect this from TYGERS OF PAN TANG, following their rather straightforward kind of material. TYGERS OF PAN TANG have never been that sophisticated in their brand of Metal and Rock, they have been keeping it by the book while searching how to entice with a kind of catchiness that won't tire the listener. Same happened on the "Ambush" album. It might not be a special kind of release, though consisting smooth, amazing lottery wining hits such as "Burning Desire", "Keeping Me Alive", "She" and "One Of A Kind", but it was more than just your ordinary pleasant experience for the ears.

To be ambushed by a tiger in most cases it means Death, yet listening to "Ambush" will keep you alive, at least until this band will decide to call it a day and retire to their homes. However, I don't think that it will happen anytime soon, so you are on the clear. But still watch yourself, the tiger is forever watchful and it knows where you live and where you work. Keep listening to the Pan Tang as they will sweep with the closest thing to a classic.