Gig review: TYGERS OF PAN TANG – Black Heart, Camden, 12 November 2022

I sometimes struggle with this venue. Low ceilings and a low stage means poor visibility if there’s anything like a good crowd in; and often the sound is sludgy and bass heavy. So for Tygers of Pan Tang to overcome all this and deliver a killer show speaks volumes for their tenacity and talent.

Coming on stage to Mud’s ‘Tiger Feet’ was a great choice, raising a smile amongst those around me. A rocket launch-style countdown built some drama before the bass intro of the steam-hammer ‘Fireclown’ sent fists pumping and feet jumping.

This was one of four tracks from my own favourite Tygers album, ‘Wildcat’ that got a well-deserved dusting off tonight. The set list was split between early 80’s albums and their four most recent outings dating from 2012. Nothing in between. The material from two of their most successful albums ‘Crazy Nights’ and ‘Spellbound’ drew the most enthusiastic response.

Jacopo ‘Jack’ Meile was straight into his stride on lead vocals, setting the bar high as he has done since joining these ranks twenty years ago. Alongside original member Robb Weir on guitar and long-time drummer Craig Ellis, the core of the band provides a powerhouse platform for newbies Huw Holding on bass and Francesco Marras on guitar to settle in.

‘Love Don’t Stay’ brought a shattering riff to the party, but the guitar lines and vocal on the chorus have a melodic feel and ‘Destiny’ from 2019’ album ‘Ambush’ kept the AOR-tinged mood bubbling away.

‘Keeping Me Alive’ also featured a hard riff that cut through some thick bass. ‘White Lines’ again found a catchy vocal hook on the chorus.

Then the superb ‘Gangland’ plunged us back in to classic era Tygers of Pan Tang, replete with multiple crescendo endings. It went down a storm amongst the faithful. With a back catalogue like this, why aren’t the band playing bigger venues? It is heaving, sweaty and enthusiastic in the Black Heart with a mixture of old and new fans. Exactly as it should be.

Ellis drummed like a man possessed on the frenetic ‘Raised On Rock’ and Meile spat out the lyrics with real intent. They play like they mean it. ‘Don’t Stop By’ follows and feels like a ballad in comparison.

Cowbells hailed the start of ‘Do It Good’ where Weir and Marras combined to deliver monster riffage. This wouldn’t be my favourite track on ‘Crazy Nights’ where the refrain grates a little. Live, however, the staccato guitar around the chorus offers something insistent.

Deep in to the set and we get ‘Slave To Freedom’, a belter of a song with a riff that makes the hairs on the back of the neck stand up. Some of the subtlety on the time changes, solos and lyrics gets swallowed up in the heat of the moment, but this was still a fine rendition.

‘Damn You’ follows and then a track from the new album ‘A New Heartbeat’ stands up really well, before the highlight of the gig kicked in with a blistering, excoriating version of ‘Suzi Smiled’. The riff nearly knocked me sideways. Weir was in his element, stage centre for the first time tonight, fixing the crowd with an evil stare from beneath knotted eyebrows and then lifting his head up to blow smoke out of his mouth.

After the briefest of interludes, ‘Hellbound’ opened up the encore and sent the crowd delirious. Meile on the monitor, serving it up to the crowd. Guitars in our faces. ‘Don’t Touch Me There’ was smashed out next and the inevitable ‘Love Potion No 9’ closed the show, crowd singing and clapping along.

A great gig of proper metal. Assured, loud, riff-heavy and northern. What more could anyone want?

Review by Dave Atkinson

Featured Artist: JOSH TAERK

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Power Plays w/c 9 December 2024

In this sequence we play ‘The Best of 2024′ GRTR! reviewer selections

Featured Albums w/c 9 December 2024

09:00-12:00 The Best of 2024 (Melodic Rock)
12:00-13:00 The Best of 2003-2024 (Melodic Hard Rock)
14:00-16:00 The Best of 2024 (Singer Songwriter)