Ambush
One of the first albums I reviewed this year was the Tygers of Pan Tang album, Ritual. Spoiler alert: I loved it. But now we have another offering from the mighty Tygers, Ambush. Not entirely a new album, but a re release. The original album from 2012 was out of circulation, so Mighty Music are re releasing it, completely re mastered with four bonus tracks too.
Re mastered at Medley Studios, this is a real treat to behold. For die hard Tygers fans, it’s a chance to hear guitarist Dean Robertson once again and it is also the first Tygers album to feature bassist Gav Gray. The rest of the lineup will be familiar, Jack Meille, Robb Weir and Craig Ellis.
Don’t think of this album as an old album. It sounds great. Fresh, exciting and a chance to explore some of the bands back catalogue. In fact, I really hope the Tygers will add some more of the less played tracked to their live repertoire.
The real treat with this re release is the addition of four ‘new’ tracks. Two live tracks which for anyone who has seen the Tygers recently will definitely appreciate. ‘Keeping Me Alive’ and ‘These Eyes’ are great. It really transports you to the venue. There’s something that happens when a band like the Tygers get on stage and play live. Something that you can’t put into words. They just grab you and these two live tracks do just that. Craig’s drums really pop out of the mix and the lead guitar really does sing! Jack too, hitting all the same notes that he did on the album a full eight years previous!
Cruel Hands of Time is a great track. Previously unreleased, the band decided to include it in the remaster. My one gripe about the song is nothing to do with the song actually, it’s in the labelling. It’s labelled as a “studio outtake”, which immediately makes you think that this will be sub standard. But it is every bit as good as the original album tracks. A great guitar solo and as I said in the Ritual review, the Tygers rhythm section is second to none. I love the slow chugging fade out at the end, the track slowed considerably from the main song.
Another treat comes in the form of the ‘Rock and Roll Dream’ demo. Recorded at a rehearsal with one mic, it’s a bit of behind the scenes stuff and I love it. Rehearsal footage and behind the scenes stuff is really great. As a fan, it’s great to get an insight and as a musician, damn, I wish my rehearsals sounded that good!
So, the big question, If I have the original, should I get the re mastered version? Well, in a word, YES! Everything just has more oomph. I’ve listened to the original and then the re master and to be completely honest, the 2020 version, sound wise, I think sounds far superior. The drums really pop, the low end is more defined and it’s a much fuller sound. If that doesn’t convince you, then you have four extra tracks… and my personal favourite, that rehearsal demo. All in all, a great album.
‘Ambush’ is released 18th September and is available to purchase here
Released by: Mighty Music
Release date: 18th September 2020
