Tygers Of Pan Tang – ‘Live Blood’

(Mighty Music) 

NWOBHM legends Tygers Of Pan Tang follow up last year’s excellent ‘Bloodlines’ album release with a live album which I’m sure many diehard Tygers fans have been screaming for! ‘Live Blood’ was recorded at The Patriot in Wales. The setlist includes a varied cross section of songs drawn from the band’s first four albums ‘Wild Cat’, ‘Crazy Nights’, Spellbound’ and ‘The Cage’. Aswell as from their last four albums of the modern Tygers era, ‘Ambush’, ‘Tygers Of Pan Tang’, ‘Ritual’ and obviously ‘Bloodlines’.

‘Live Blood’ is a rollicking tour de force which captures the mighty Tygers in full flow all Tygers fans will love this album and that’s a fact. It really does capture the atmosphere and energy of a live show, which doesn’t always come across on live albums. Especially if in post-production the performance is over sanitised to garner better sound or cover up too many imperfections. They’ve done a great job here with capturing this show because listening to this with my eyes closed almost made me feel like I was there! Almost.

Most Tygers fans are probably avid admirers of the bands prestigious beginnings in the NWOBHM movement, but me I’m more of a modern fan much preferring their later offerings with their crisper smooth sound. So, I thought with this I’d gravitate more to those songs but I found myself enjoying the old just as much as the new. They do a great job of melding their old school traditional sound with their slicker more modern approach creating a cool cohesive set with keeps you entertained and rocking!

It’s a crowd-pleasing album but highlights for me include ‘Destiny’, ‘Only The Brave’, ‘Love Don’t Stay’ and an electrifying rendition of ‘A New Heartbeat’. Tyger’s fan favourites ‘Suzie Smiled’, ‘Gangland’ and ‘Love Potion No. 9’ are also delivered with dynamic and energising performances so the album is bound to please all.

Live albums in my experience can be a real mixed bag with some feeling like glorified cash grabs from loyal fans. Every now and again a real goodie drops and for me ‘Live Blood’ is one of those, I’ll definitely be bunging this one on anytime I’m craving a little bit of live energy. This album really made me want to get my arse out to a gig as soon as possible, It really shows that the Tygers are a must-see live band!

8/10

Essential Track - 'Destiny'

Review by Woody