It’s official: TYGERS OF PAN TANG‘s new album is now the most successful record in the band’s history since the heydays in the 80s. “Bloodlines” has entered sales charts in several countries, including Germany for the first time (#89 on the Top 100 Album Chart), UK (#35 in physical sales charts), Denmark (#12 on the physical sales charts, #11 in the vinyl charts) and Sweden (#14 in physical sales charts).
This is an amazing result, even for a band with such a rich sales history as the Tygers, and confirms the positive signs given by the press reactions to “Bloodlines”, as well as the warehouse frenzy Mighty Music experienced in the weeks before the release.
Having just headlined a sold-out Nordic Noise Festival in Copenhagen, the band is now ready to take the festival tour this Summer, where they will hit the stages of Alcatraz, Time To Rock, Rock Imperium and Iron Fest Open air, among others.
“Bloodlines” is out now on LP (black and red vinyl, with the latter being limited to 500), CD and digital formats via Mighty Music. Orders are available here.
TYGERS OF PAN TANG have released their new studio album “Bloodlines”, out now.
Never a man to take what he has for granted and having led TYGERS OF PAN TANG since their first album through a number of line-up changes, Robb Weir recognises that the Tygers line-up that recorded “Bloodlines” are probably the strongest since they were at the forefront of the NWOBHM. The original band, who 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-million seller 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, have now been together for considerably longer than the first Tygers and 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 an EP (“A New Heartbeat”) to celebrate their re-signing with Mighty Music, the Tygers demonstrated just how potent the new lineup was becoming. Re-recording two songs from their first album to complement the two new songs on the EP gave listeners the chance to evaluate Francesco Marras’ contribution, and the reaction was entirely positive. Following this with a tour that took in six countries across Europe both Francesco and Huw have been amazed at the reaction to the new line-up. Fans old and new have turned up to lend their support to the continuing story of the Tygers.
So, here we are. The band releases their 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 have blended with the new boys. 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, recognising just what it was 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 catalog.
“Bloodlines” is out today on LP (black and red vinyl, with the latter being limited to 500), CD and digital formats via Mighty Music. Orders are available here.
After all the good signs shown in the previously released two digital singles, TYGERS OF PAN TANG now release a third song from the new and upcoming album “Bloodlines”. “Back For Good” is the chosen track.
When Jack Meille wrote the lyrics for “Back For Good”, he drew inspiration from a monument to miners in the small town of Featherstone, where he stays on his frequent visits to the UK from Italy. “The lyrics are about miners and their long, endless working shifts in the dark”, Jack says.
New bass player Huw Holding rates it as his favourite song from the new album “Bloodlines”. “When I joined the Tygers I was given a few demo tracks to play along with. “Back For Good” jumped out immediately. I loved the groove, the riffs and the vocal melody”, he concludes.
Today Metal Shock Finland has a pleasure to premiere for Finland ‘Back For Good’ official video, enjoy it below.
Robb Weir is never a man to take what he has for granted. Having led Tygers Of Pan Tang since their first album through a number of line-up changes, he recognises that the current Tygers are probably the strongest since when they were at the forefront of the NWOBHM. The original band, who 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-million seller 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, have now been together for considerably longer than the first Tygers and 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 a history of working with NWOBHM bands such as Blitzkrieg, Avenger and Holosade.
Recording an EP (“A New Heartbeat”) to celebrate their re-signing with Mighty Music, the Tygers demonstrated just how potent the new line-up was becoming. Re-recording two songs from their first album to complement the two new songs on the EP gave listeners the chance to evaluate Francesco Marras’ contribution, and the reaction was entirely positive. Following this with a tour that took in six countries across Europe, both Francesco and Huw have been amazed at the reaction 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 are all set for the release of their new album, “Bloodlines”, 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 have 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, recognising just what it was 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 back in ’79. “I feel as confident with our new line-up as I did all those years ago when ‘Wildcat’ appeared on the shelves and 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.”
“Bloodlines” will be released on LP (black and red vinyl, with the latter being limited to 500), CD and digital formats via Mighty Music on May 5th, 2023.
Legendary NWOBHM band TYGERS OF PAN TANG release today the official video for the title track of their new EP, “A New Heartbeat”. The video, directed by the band’s drummer Craig Ellis, was made in Covid-19 pandemics time, with a working method and a concept reflecting exactly that.
“By the time the World had persevered through over a year of the Covid-19 pandemic we were all in a very bleak state and the band, presented here in black and white from the onset, is a reference to that“, Craig states. “As the song progresses and the pandemic worsens each member loses definition, becoming a different person to who they once were. Each member is often in their own modular shape just as many of us have been when having to quarantine, but we also come together at times just as we did during the writing of the new album. The vibrant green, present throughout the video, represents three elements; the moving modular shapes are the covid virus threat that is constantly shifting towards and away from us; the ECG pulse is the aspiration and fortitude to overcome the disease and the menacing tiger in the background is constantly moving towards the screen as we all, together fight and push forward, challenging the pandemic head-on. Towards the end of the video we see a further change clearly indicating promising signs ahead“, the musician/director concludes.
What did the Tygers Of Pan Tang do when the world was locked down? Well, quite a lot as it happens. For a start a new guitarist, Francesco Marras, and a new bass player, Huw Holding were recruited. They were also proud to collect a music industry award from Hard Rock Hell as winners in the NWOBHM section. And … if that wasn’t enough, they have written and demoed their next album and produced a new four track E.P.
The E.P. features two rerecorded tracks from their first album “Wild Cat” plus two new tracks. “Fireclown” and “Killers” from “Wild Cat” now firmly bear Francesco’s musical stamp and new tracks “A New Heartbeat” and “Red Mist” demonstrate what might be expected from the next Tygers album – the Tygers signature sound of heavy as hell riffs, finger knotting solos and Jack Meille’s vocals extraordinaire. The mix was executed by Marco Angioni at Angioni Studios and, as with all recent Tygers releases, the mastering was completed by Harry Hess.
The release comes initially as a digipak CD and will only be available in physical form from the Tygers website and directly from their record company Mighty Music/Target Group. A vinyl version will follow.
Robb Weir commented ““Fireclown” and “Killers” are much neglected Tygers gems. They are rarely played live but often requested so we thought it would be interesting to hear a modern take on them. Visiting the past brings back so many memories for us and, I’m guessing, for Tygers followers”. Jack Meille added: “Lockdown may have prevented us from playing live but it couldn’t curtail the creative spirt that has resulted in the creation of “A New Heartbeat” and “Red Mist” for this single”.
“A New Heartbeat” EP will be released on vinyl LP and digipack CD on February 25th, 2022 via Mighty Music. It’s on sale exclusively now in Targetshop.dk.
“A New Heartbeat” tracklist:
A New Heartbeat
Red Mist
Fireclown
Killers
Line-up: Robb Weir – guitar Francesco Marras – guitar Jack Meille – vocals Gav Grey – bass (on the EP) Huw Holding – bass Craig Ellis – drums
What did TYGERS OF PAN TANG do when the world was locked down? Well, quite a lot as it happens. For a start a new guitarist, Francesco Marras, and a new bass player, Huw Holding were recruited. They were also proud to collect a music industry award from Hard Rock Hell as winners in the NWOBHM section. And … if that wasn’t enough, they have written and demoed their next album and produced a new four track E.P.
The E.P. features two rerecorded tracks from their first album “Wild Cat” plus two new tracks. “Fireclown” and “Killers” from “Wild Cat” now firmly bear Francesco’s musical stamp and new tracks “A New Heartbeat” and “Red Mist” demonstrate what might be expected from the next Tygers album – the Tygers signature sound of heavy as hell riffs, finger knotting solos and Jack Meille’s vocals extraordinaire. The mix was executed by Marco Angioni at Angioni Studios and, as with all recent Tygers releases, the mastering was completed by Harry Hess.
The release comes initially as a digipak CD on February 25th. For now, it will only be available in physical form from the Tygers website and directly from their record company Mighty Music/Target Group starting this Friday, January 7th, 2022. A vinyl version will follow.
Robb Weir commented ““Fireclown” and “Killers” are much neglected Tygers gems. They are rarely played live but often requested so we thought it would be interesting to hear a modern take on them. Visiting the past brings back so many memories for us and, I’m guessing, for Tygers followers”. Jack Meille added: “Lockdown may have prevented us from playing live but it couldn’t curtail the creative spirt that has resulted in the creation of “A New Heartbeat” and “Red Mist” for this single”.
“A New Heartbeat” Tracklist:
1. A New Heartbeat 2. Red Mist 3. Fireclown 4. Killers
Line-up: Robb Weir: guitar Francesco Marras: guitar Jack Meille: vocals Gav Grey: bass (on the EP) Huw Holding: bass Craig Ellis: drums
TYGERS OF PAN TANG have released worldwide their album “Majors & Minors” which continues the band’s legacy with a fine selection of songs that were written and recorded over the last 13 years. Not just a “Best of” compilation because the band wanted to offer something special to both loyal fans, collectors and those who have missed our latest records. “It’s like your best Tygers tracks, but all in one place!“- Robb Weir. And once again the stunning artwork will make the products and merchandise associated with the album things of beauty to behold.
The band chose songs on the album which they believed to be classics and to represent the Renaissance of the Tygers boosted by having a Florentine on vocals! Partially written on the road, the tracks not only have killer riffs, balls and power pushing performances to the limit, but express the band’s creativity and musical chemistry for songwriting. Not afraid to even add Spanish Guitars and castanets if a track demands it this band are never boring! Party songs, heavy songs, rock anthems, groovy rock’n’rollers, catchy songs cleverly constructed with accessible melodies, the band has packed all of this in to this meaty package. The contribution of Chris Tsangarides able to pull the best out of the band was instrumental. The band feel that this “new” period of the band which has in fact lasted longer than the original line up has produced songs which are indispensable to the history of the band. “It’s been a lot of fun putting this together, so get yourself comfy, press play and let the Tygers do the rockin.” -Robb Weir
The CD version of the compilation includes “Plug Me In”, never released on CD, a new orchestral version of “Spoils of War”, “What You Say” never released in an album format before. Furthermore, a live version of “Keeping Me Alive”, recorded in 2018, graces the vinyl format of “Majors & Minors”.
“Majors & Minors” is out today in digital, LP and CD formats via Mighty Music. “Tygers music is full of big notes and little notes, so let’s start with a Major one and finish with on a Minor!” – Robb Weir
Vinyl tracklist: Side A: Only The Brave White Lines Destiny Damn You! Keeping We Alive
Side B: Hot Blooded What You Say Plug Me In Spoils Of War (Orchestral mix) Keeping Me Alive (Live in Fismes 2016) – exclusive for vinyl
CD tracklist: 1. Only The Brave 2. Destiny 3. She – exclusive for CD 4. Never Give In – exclusive for CD 5. Worlds Apart – exclusive for CD 6. Glad Rags – exclusive for CD 7. Let It Burn – exclusive for CD 8. White Lines 9. The Devil You Know – exclusive for CD 10. Keeping Me Alive 11. Hot Blooded 12. Damn You! 13. Spoils Of War (Orchestral mix) 14. What You Say 15. Plug Me In
Known for their incendiary hit version of “Love Potion no. 9” from “The Cage” album in 1982 which sold over 200,000 copies and gave the band two top 50 songs in the UK, Tygers remain a much loved hard rock band with their NWOBHM legacy and many loyal fans.
“When I joined the Tygers back in 2004, I didn’t know what to expect. I was so over the moon to have joined one of my favorite bands from NWOBHM, that I had no further expectations. Now in 2021, I’m going to celebrate my 17 years in the band with this compilation that covers the four albums I have recorded with them. I’m the long-lasting singer of Tygers. I’ve recorded an album with Chris Tsangarides and another one with Fred Purser, I’ve played so many gigs and traveled all round the world, enjoyed every minute on stage and backstage with so many talented musicians, playing the music I love since I was a kid. It seems a lot for a guy who had no expectations, don’t you think?” – Jack Meille
The band has a tour planned in for early 2022 and is hoping to widen and include more dates worldwide as circumstances permit.
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