Man, TYGERS OF PAN TANG and their NEW self titled album, this is a band that outdates me by a little bit. Watching documentaries on NWOBHM and they always come up along the likes of Iron Maiden and Judas Priest and obviously they never got quite as big. As such this is actually my first real interaction with the band, if it's good I'll be going back in time to find some older stuff if not then i guess this is where I leave.

"Tygers of Pan Tang" is a rare release from such an old band seeing as it still has so much power to it. Songs like "Only the Brave", "Never Give In" and "Do It Again" are full of power. The latter of the three actually talks about being young again and seeing concerts as teenagers which is crazy to think about when you realise this is a band that started in the 70s! My first concert was 30 years later just barely as a teenager! Its high energy metal about wanting to relive those days and the songs wouldn't seem out of pace in a career defining set from the band, they could easily contend with fan favourites from the 80s.

Other songs such as "The Reason Why" and "Praying for a miracle" are a bit slower and more emotional and again, they're songs that could easily contend with the old ballads from the bands past. Slower, singing from the heart and lyrics that are very personal, this is everything a good ballad needs, but there's also some strength to these songs whenever the distortion and gain kicks into the guitar. New age power ballads for fans old and new.

This is crazy to me, how have I never gone through TYGER's discography? How are old bands still releasing such good albums? Would a tour from them in North America be possible? Any old school Metal fan should be picking this album up; It's great to see the NWOBHM bands still releasing such good albums.

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