Tygers of Pan Tang - The Carlisle, Hastings April 10th 2025

The current, very impressive Tygers line-up features original Guitarist Robb Weir, Lead Singer (since 2004) Jacopo Meille, Drummer Craig Ellis (since 2000), Bassist Huw Holding, and Guitarist Francesco Marras. I'm not sure about you, but thinking of the "NWOBHM" being nearly 50 years old, astounds me. As soon as the Tygers hit the ground running with a 1-2 wallop of "Euthanasia" and "Gangland", it's even more astounding. The energy they exhibit gives you the impression that the music was written last week, not half a century ago. Lead Singer Jaco has a very easy going charm, and what a voice. He's able to trot through the registers from low to high, without the aid of a tight jockstrap. (as far as I'm aware).

It's a joy to watch the lovely Robb Weir playing. Very rarely do you see him without a smile. He also interacts wonderfully with the audience, drawing everyone in at one point or another. In fact the whole group look to be enjoying their gigs, and this makes a massive difference. As the set progresses, there are several more recent cuts played. Along with the other handful of top-end groups from their era, the Tygers are still regularly releasing top quality new material. "Rock Candy" from "Animal Instinct", "Keeping Me Alive" from "Ambush" and "Fire on the Horizon" from "Bloodlines", come to mind immediately. The standard really hasn't dropped since 1980.     

The set steamrollers on at speed akin to Lewis Hamilton driving down a ski slope, with very little time wasted with between song ramblings. Very refreshing it is too, and also helps with the inertia of it all. It's always great to hear "Slave to Freedom" (one of the very first tracks I recall hearing from them), along with "Suzy Smiled", from that same wonderful period of time. Robb says that it's nice to so much youth in the room, then saying he was only referring to himself. After seeing him running about this evening, you can't question that.....

The evening finishes with chart hit "Love Potion No.9". Another great memory, as I proudly recall this getting TV time. We didn't see that often enough with rock music in those days. Jaco mentions that there is a new album in works, though we have to be patient for now. Great news. Another electric performance from the Tygers of Pan Tang, here's to the new album. This is the start of a run of a few gigs for them, so please get along to one if you can. You'll witness one of the creme de la creme of Metal. I'm sure the Amps were turned up to 11, too......