Year: 2021
Total Duration: 67:54
Label: Mighty Music
For the readers of THEGALLERY.GR, especially the younger ones, the term NWOBHM (New Wave of British Heavy Metal) might not be entirely familiar. To clarify, it was a movement that emerged at the late ‘70s in England, a cornerstone for the survival and global spread of Heavy Metal. Although it gradually faded by 1985 due to its lack of commercial success, its legacy remains, with iconic ambassadors like IRON MAIDEN and SAXON still carrying the torch.
TYGERS OF PAN TANG is one of the bands that thrived during the NWOBHM era. Between 1980 and 1982, they released four outstanding albums, sold thousands of copies, and climbed the charts. However, after two less impactful albums in 1985 and 1987, the band disbanded. Their resurrection began at the turn of the millennium, following a surprise appearance by original vocalist Jess Cox alongside Blitzkrieg at Wacken Festival in 1999. The reunion saw only one original member, guitarist Robb Weir, remain. Since then, TYGERS OF PAN TANG has been remarkably active, releasing new albums, live recordings, compilations, and performing live.
Their latest compilation “Majors & Minors”, serves as a testament to the band’s vitality and aims to introduce their work to those unfamiliar with their post-80s material. This release exclusively features tracks from their four most recent studio albums: Animal Instinct (2008), Ambush (2012), Tygers of Pan Tang (2016), and Ritual (2019), with Jack Meille as the frontman since 2004. Additionally, it includes two previously unreleased tracks, Plug Me In and What You Say, with the latter standing out as a high point. There’s also an instrumental version of Spoils of War, offering an unusual yet intriguing twist for the band.
The album’s tracklist delivers a mix of heavy metal, melodic hard rock, and catchy tunes, catering to a broad range of tastes. Highlights include Destiny, She, Hot Blooded, Keeping Me Alive, Let It Burn, Only the Brave, and Worlds Apart. The vinyl edition features the exclusive live track Keeping Me Alive (Live in Fismes 2016), alongside the two unreleased songs, but omits a few tracks due to space limitations, resulting in a 10-track selection (five on each side).
Compilations like this often face challenges in receiving proper recognition, yet Majors & Minorsoffers an excellent gateway for newcomers to explore this underrated (or perhaps unlucky) band. It’s a compelling reminder that TYGERS OF PAN TANG has delivered significant material in the new millennium, deserving attention from heavy metal enthusiasts.
As a final note, it’s worth mentioning that the band’s early lineup included the legendary John Sykes, who later played with THIN LIZZY WHITESNAKE BADLANDS, and BLUE MURDER – a fact that may serve as additional motivation to delve into their catalog.
Rating: N/A
Editor: Antonis Livanios
Related Link: TYGERS OF PAN TANG – Facebook Page
