Recorded back in 1981, Live at Nottingham Rock City is the Tygers of Pan Tang wild and in their element, on stage. Hailed at the time as one of the most promising of the New Wave of British Heavy Metal groups, the band never really broke big like many of their peers, which is a real shame as there was plenty of talent and good metal songs wrapped up in this juggernaut. This live set is pretty smokin' overall, as the band runs through many of their best songs from the first two albums Wild Cat and Spellbound. Story has it that new guitar slinger John Sykes was the only band member who was not sick that night, as a local doctor from Nottingham suggested that the band not perform due to some illness that infected the rest of the group. Thankfully the guys decided to go on, and the resulting show sounds like five musicians at the top of their game. Sykes and Robb Weir make a pretty formidable pair, dueling plenty of lead guitar harmonies much like Thin Lizzy (ironically, Sykes' next band after leaving Tygers a few years later) as well as laying down an assortment of crunchy and melodic riffs. Lead singer Jon Deverill has some strong pipes, and listening back to the music of this band makes you realize what a powerful and unique voice Deverill had.
There's many highlights here, like the guitar mayhem of "Tyger Bay", the dual lead guitar rock of "Take It", or the rampaging metal sounds of "Rock and Roll Man". Thick chugging riffs are supported by Deverill's melodic vocals on "Insanity", and the band creates some nice emotional atmosphere on the power ballad "Mirror", complete with a ripping Sykes guitar solo and great vocal from Deverill. Fans of early Iron Maiden will love the raging speed metal of "Gangland", and the band pulls off a great rendition of their single "Hellbound".
If you have any interest at all in early 80's classic metal and hard rock, and haven't yet checked out Tygers of Pan Tang, this is a good place to start to get a feel for the band's early sound at its most rocking. Fans of John Sykes will also be thrilled to hear their hero in an early live performance where he is just starting to develop his monstrous tone and chops. This is a recommended live reissue from the folks at Spitfire Records, check it out.
Track Listing
1. Take It
2. Rock And Roll Man
3. Blackjack
4. Tyger Bay
5. Insanity
6. Euthanasia
7. Mirror
8. Wild Catz
9. Money
10. Don't Stop By
11. Gangland
12. Silver And Gold
13. Hellbound
14. Slave To Freedom
15. All Or Nothing
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