Tygers of Pan Tang
Animal Instinct

What a show, this is what metal is.

The fans of Tygers Of Pan Tang (including myself) have been waiting for so many years for an album of such caliber, exactly 27 years, that's how long it has been since "Spellbound" (1981), an undisputed masterpiece of NWOBHM, featuring not only Jon Deverill but also the talented John Sykes on guitar (Thin Lizzy, Whitesnake). Since then, T.O.P.T. has not managed to release a decent album, with the only exceptions being "Crazy Nights" (1982) and "Mystical" (2001).

From the historical lineup today, only guitarist Robb Weir remains, accompanied by Dean Robertson (guitar), the outstanding Brian Robertson (bass), Graig Ellis (drums), and finally on vocals, our very own Jacopo Meille (who would have ever thought, an Italian as the frontman of one of the most important bands on the eighties metal scene).

To be honest, after the umpteenth disappointment of "Noises From The Cathouse" (2004), I was skeptical about this album, but with immense joy, I must change my mind and I'd like to think that more than a little credit should go to Jacopo Meille, who by replacing the scandalous Richie Wicks has certainly breathed new life into the band.

The album opens with a bang, with its sharp riff, devastating rhythm section, perfect sound, and Jacopo firing his splendid voice at full blast, at times reminiscent of Robert Plant, "Rock Candy" sweeps away any doubt in a few minutes. The following "Cry Sweet Freedom" gives us the certainty that T.O.P.T. have regained the animal instinct that characterized the first three albums of their career. The homogeneity with which the tracks were composed and the lack of any dips in tension make you stay glued to your seat for the entire duration of the album. The riffs are those of yesteryear, the rhythm section hammers as tradition dictates, so we couldn't have asked for more.

There’s not much more to add for an album that every metal fan and beyond should own. Surely tracks like "Rock Candy", "Cry Sweet Freedom", "Hot Blooded", "Bury The Hatchet" rightfully enter among the band's classics, and that's no small feat.

Up the Tygers !!!!