Tygers Of Pan Tang – ‘Electrifyed’

(Mighty Music)

There are some bands that simply refuse to let the passage of time dull their claws. The Tygers Of Pan Tang are one of them. From their early days as part of the mighty New Wave Of British Heavy Metal movement, the band have built a reputation for delivering hard-edged, melodic British rock with plenty of bite, and Electrifyed is another reminder that those metallic roots remain very much alive and kicking.

This is an album that understands exactly where the Tygers came from, while refusing to become trapped in the past. There is a wonderfully traditional British metal feel running through Electrifyed, but it is wrapped in a melodic hard rock production that gives the material plenty of punch, clarity and contemporary muscle. The result is an album that feels authentically Tygers Of Pan Tang without sounding like a band simply attempting to recreate the glory days.

And those NWOBHM roots? They are impossible to miss.

Robb Weir and John Footitt’s guitars are absolutely central to the album's identity. There is a delicious metallic edge to the riffs, with crunching rhythms, sharp leads and plenty of six-string attitude giving the whole record its backbone. This isn't polished-to-death melodic rock where every rough edge has been sanded away. Electrifyed retains some of that raw British steel that made the NWOBHM such an important movement in the first place. The guitars have weight, aggression and character, but they also know when to step back and allow the melodies to shine.

That balance is one of the album's greatest strengths.

Because underneath all that metallic muscle is a strong melodic sensibility. The Tygers have never been a band content with simply hammering away at riffs, and Electrifyed demonstrates a real understanding of how to combine heaviness with memorable songwriting. The choruses have the kind of immediacy that makes you want to turn the volume up, while the arrangements are packed with enough twists and dynamic shifts to keep the album moving.

There is also a real sense of urgency throughout the record. Electrifyed doesn't sound complacent. It has energy coursing through its veins, and that enthusiasm makes itself felt from beginning to end. Whether it's the driving rhythm section, the muscular guitar work or the vocal performances, there is a sense that everyone involved came into the studio determined to make a proper rock album rather than simply tick the boxes. And that's important.

There is something wonderfully old-school about the attitude here. This is music built for speakers. Music built for the car stereo. Music built for the moment when you need to crank up the volume and let a wall of guitars wash over you. There is no shortage of modern production technology, but the spirit remains gloriously rooted in the era when heavy rock was about riffs, melodies, attitude and sheer physical impact.

The rhythm section deserves plenty of credit for providing that foundation. Craig Ellis’s drums have a satisfying punch, while Huw Holding’s bass gives the songs the necessary weight underneath the guitars. Together they provide the propulsion that allows the album's melodic elements to breathe without ever allowing the momentum to disappear.

Vocally, Jack Meille delivers the kind of presence required for this style of music. The performances have conviction and authority, sitting comfortably between melodic hard rock and traditional heavy metal. There is enough grit to match the guitars, but also sufficient melody to ensure the choruses remain accessible. It's a combination that suits the Tygers perfectly.

What really impresses me, though, is how Electrifyed manages to sound unmistakably British. There is a certain character to classic British hard rock and heavy metal that is difficult to manufacture. It isn't simply about distortion or riffs. It's about the way the melodies interact with the guitars, the slightly gritty edge of the performances and that unmistakable sense of steel running through the music. The Tygers Of Pan Tang possess that character naturally, and Electrifyed embraces it wholeheartedly.

Yet this isn't some museum piece celebrating the past. The album has enough melodic hard rock polish to make it immediately accessible, while the metallic foundations ensure it never becomes lightweight. It sits comfortably in that sweet spot between traditional heavy metal and melody-driven hard rock.

For longtime Tygers fans, there is plenty here to sink your teeth into. For listeners discovering the band for the first time, Electrifyed provides a strong introduction to what makes them special: melody without sacrificing muscle, tradition without sounding dated, and plenty of guitar-driven attitude.

Most importantly, this is an album that sounds like it was made because the band still have something to say and something to prove. There is hunger here. There is fire. There is that familiar NWOBHM spirit, but it has been given a fresh coat of paint rather than simply dragged out of storage.

Electrifyed is a confident, muscular and thoroughly enjoyable slice of melodic hard rock. It wears its metallic heritage proudly, but doesn't allow nostalgia to dictate the music. The Tygers Of Pan Tang have taken those classic foundations and built something that feels alive, energetic and relevant.

So, dust off the denim, crank the volume, and let those guitars loose. The Tygers are still prowling.

‘Rise Up!’ sees the album gets straight down to business with a powerful statement of intent. Crunching guitars, driving rhythms and a strong melodic backbone immediately establish the Tygers’ NWOBHM credentials. It’s energetic, anthemic and gets Electrifyed off to a flying start.

‘Forevermore’, a more melodic side of the band emerges here without losing the metallic edge. The guitars have plenty of bite, while the vocal melodies give the song an emotional dimension. A strong example of how the Tygers can balance heaviness with accessibility.

‘The Powers That Be’, there’s a darker, more aggressive feel running through this one. The riffing carries plenty of weight, with the rhythm section providing a relentless foundation. The chorus brings the melody back into focus, creating a satisfying contrast between muscle and hook.

‘Dark Divinity’, heavy, atmospheric and loaded with classic metal character. The guitars have a wonderfully traditional feel, while the vocal delivery adds plenty of authority. This is the Tygers digging deep into their metallic roots and coming up with something suitably powerful.

‘Electrifyed’, the title track is an appropriate showcase for what the album is all about. Hard rock attitude meets traditional metal firepower, with a driving arrangement and plenty of guitar presence. It has the kind of energy that demands to be played loud.

‘A Shadow On Fire’, a darker mood takes hold, but the melodic instincts remain firmly intact. The guitar work is particularly effective, moving between muscular riffing and more expressive passages. There’s a real sense of atmosphere here without sacrificing momentum.

‘The Nail’, short, sharp and punchy, this is classic hard rock with plenty of attitude. The rhythm section drives things forward while the guitars provide the necessary crunch. It feels built for a live setting, where that infectious energy could really take hold.

‘The Fight Goes On’, a defiant title matched by a determined musical performance. The song carries plenty of forward momentum, with strong vocals and muscular guitar work combining to create another memorable hard rock anthem.

‘Dark Skies’, the mood turns atmospheric again, with darker guitar textures giving the song a brooding quality. Yet the melodies prevent it from becoming overly gloomy. It’s a well-balanced piece of melodic metal that showcases the band’s versatility.

‘Revenge Is Sweet’, the album closes with plenty of attitude and aggression. The guitars come out swinging, the rhythm section keeps everything moving and the vocals have real conviction. A fitting finale that leaves the listener with one final blast of classic Tygers firepower.

Electrifyed proves that the Tygers Of Pan Tang still have plenty of fire in the belly. This is melodic hard rock with steel running through its veins, combining memorable melodies with crunchy riffs, muscular rhythms and that unmistakable NWOBHM attitude. What impresses most is the balance: the band embrace their metallic heritage without sounding like they’re simply looking backwards. There’s energy, urgency and plenty of guitar-driven swagger throughout, making this an album that rewards being played loud. The production gives everything enough punch while retaining the character that makes classic British heavy rock so appealing. If you like your melodic rock with a little more grit and your metal with plenty of melody, Electrifyed deserves a place in your collection. Turn it up and let the Tygers roar.

7/10

Essential Track – ‘Electrifyed’

Review by Woody