Tygers of Pan Tang
The Cage

Historic group of the legendary New Wave of British Heavy Metal, a musical movement that emerged in England in the late Seventies and saw the rapid proliferation of heavy formations like Iron Maiden, Saxon, and Def Leppard, just to name a few heavyweights, which revitalized a somewhat declining hard rock scene, the Tygers of Pan Tang are one of those bands that gave so much to this music but, for one reason or another, never managed to make the big leap, remaining confined to cult band status. 

Debuting in 1980 with the album "Wild Cat", the group, led by guitarist Robb Weir, quickly made a name for themselves in England's concert circuit at the time, thanks to fiery performances and tracks that would make the history of the genre. After sending away singer Jess Cox and welcoming into the lineup John Sykes, a monster of the six-string who would soon play at the court of Thin Lizzy and Whitesnake (Coverdale owes much of the overwhelming success of the classic "1987" to his talents) and the talented Jon Deverill behind the microphone, the five released "Spellbound" (1981), another pivotal album of the NWOBHM.

Success then seemed just around the corner, but evidently, something went wrong. After releasing their third work in 1982, "Crazy Nights", an album that did not entirely convince even the musicians themselves, especially due to a production considered mediocre, they arrived at this "The Cage", a rather controversial album, which 
would lead to the dissolution of the Tygers.

The album was created in a rather difficult period for the group: besides the departure of John Sykes, who joined Thin Lizzy and was replaced here by Fred Purser, they had to face various pressures from the record company, which demanded more "radio-friendly" material compared to the "usual" heavy and greater use of covers. 
The request is partially satisfied, and the album features contributions from several authors outside the quintet. Despite the fact that today even Robb Weir, the historic mind of the Tygers, does not look favorably upon this LP, there are several valid tracks present. The more AOR sound and the more commercial attitude do not necessarily mean that the music is mediocre, it simply means that the style adopted deviates from that of the previous albums.

"Paris By Air", "Rendezvous", "Lonely At The Top", and "Tides" would not look out of place alongside old classics. Side A is much more convincing than B, which contains several tracks that, even after several listens, are difficult to remember and therefore do not leave much of a mark: "Purser" is not "Sykes", the group tries to do what it can, but evidently, the musicians themselves realize that the path taken leads to a dead end.
Tensions rise quickly, and the band would soon dissolve, although, as stated by 
Weir himself, there were attempts to continue: indeed, there are recordings of what ideally should have been the successor to "The Cage", but the same leader has repeatedly stated that he can't even remember whether he participated in those recordings, a clear sign that the fate of the Tygers was already sealed.

Dissolution and oblivion? Not exactly.

In the mid-eighties, there was indeed a version of Tygers of Pan Tang led by Deverill, author of two albums strongly influenced by AOR, "The Wreck-Age" (1985) and "Burning In The Shade" (1987), disowned, however, by Weir himself, who would never have accepted to see "his group" play without him. We could also debate at length about reviving a historic heavy brand for a band that, besides drummer Brian Dick, not only did not include other original members but was also very far from the group's classic style.

Evidently, it was considered by most as a failed attempt to capitalize on the success that metal and AOR were enjoying at the time. The definitive reunion, which had the merit of getting the historic lineup back on track, would only occur in 1999, with a performance at the Wacken Open Air that saw the resurrection of the five from Whitley Bay, albeit with a heavily revamped lineup, but with the presence of two historic members like the eternal leader Robb Weir and the original singer Jess Cox.

Tracklist:

1. Rendezvous 
2. Lonely At The Top 
3. Letter From L.A. 
4. Paris By Air 
5. Tides 
6. Making Tracks 
7. The Cage 
8. Love Potion No. 9 (The Clovers cover) 
9. You Always See What You Want 
10. Danger In Paradise
11. The Actor 

Musicians:

Jon Deverill: vocals
Robb Weir: guitar
Fred Purser: guitar
Rocky: bass
Brian Dick: drums