Tygers Of Pan Tang Bloodlines

Robb Weir is never a man to take what he has for granted. Having led TOPT since the first album through a plethora of line-up changes, he recognizes that the current Tygers are probably the strongest since they were at the forefront of the NWOBHM. The original band, that made four albums for MCA Records, survived the unexpected departure of Jess Cox to run Neat Records and later John Sykes, who was bound for Thin Lizzy and a multi-millionseller with Whitesnake. What they didn't survive was their greatest commercial success with the album "The Cage". However, Weir, ever the optimist, formed a new version of the band to both play the old material and write songs that would represent this 'new' Tygers. The backbone of the band - Craig Ellis on drums, together with Jack Meille on vocals - has now been together for considerably longer than the first Tygers. They were recently joined by Francesco Marras on guitar and Huw Holding on bass. Francesco arrived via solo and session work that has made him a go-to guitarist and Huw has history of working with NWOBHM bands such as Blitzkrieg, Avenger and Holosade. Recording the EP "A New Heartbeat" to celebrate their resigning with Mighty Music, the Tygers demonstrated just how potent the new line-up was becoming. Rerecording two songs from the first album to compliment the two new songs on the EP gave listeners the chance to evaluate Francesco Marras' contribution and the response was entirely positive. Following this with a tour that took in six countries across Europe, both Francesco and Huw have been amazed at the reponse to the new line-up. Fans old and new have turned up to lend their support to the continuing story of the Tygers. Now the band is all set for the release of new album "Bloodlines". Recorded entirely by the musicians who comprise the current line-up, it is a tour de force of what made the NWOBHM such a potent force in music. The songs, all self-penned, successfully demonstrate just how well the core of Weir, Meille and Ellis has blended with the new boys. New Danish producer Tue Madsen (The Haunted, Moonspell, Sick Of It All) has brought a contemporary edge to the traditional Tygers sound and immediately bonded with the band, recognizing just what it was that they were looking for. Still metal at its core, the melodic vocals and exemplary guitar solos ensure that the songs are worthy rivals to the very best of their back catalogue. The last word comes from Robb Weir whose dream created the Tygers all those years ago. "I feel as confident with our new line-up as I did all those years ago when 'Wildcat' appeared on the shelves and it was given a unanimous thumbs up. Our recent live shows have demonstrated a harmony within the band and, coupled with the quality of 'Bloodlines', the potential to create music and perform live shows for some considerable time to come."
Source: targetshop.dk