The “Tygers” may have been around since the early days of the New Wave of British Heavy Metal but they have lost none of their bite over the decades as evidenced by Ritual.
A top-notch album of hard hitting tunes which stay in your head.
Original member Rob Weir is still here accompanied by a tight band featuring really excellent fretwork from Michal McCrystal and the monster pipes of Jack Meille. What a voice. Range, power, delivery, feeling. Monster!
And take nothing away from Gav Gray’s bass and Craig Ellie’s drums. A big noise rhythm section indeed. And a big productionjob too. Clear, crisp sound.
Worlds Apart is a heavy, heavy opener. Check out the intro before the big chords and licks come in – then BAM! What a punchy song. It’s brutal stuff. The huge riff punctuated by nifty, succinct sol burst and Meille showing off his vocal prowess.
And amongst the power there’s a big melodic hook that’ll get in to your “bonce” and stay there. Have a listen why don’t you…..?
The other ten cuts which follow are all equally pleasurable, all with a deft heaviness which is well crafted and not turn it up to eleven and play fast just for the sake of it.
Also, amongst the big powerchords, riffs and superb lead breaks, the Tygers can do the dark brooding stuff (Spoils of War), the one with the in your face double-punch with the huge hook chorus (“White Lines) and the almost power ballad (Love Will Find a Way).
Take the closer for example – Sail On. Does the lot so it does. Hard, heavy, twiddly bits, changes pace, great guitar. A seven minute mini-epic.
The old NWOBHM bands still show how rock/metal should be done. McCrystal’s guitar is all over it. Reminds this listener very much of how Jon Sykes played during his tenure with the band back in the old days.
Ritual, make no mistake, is the Tygers at full pelt. Simply superb.
>> BAG YOUR COPY OF RITUAL FROM AMAZON NOW! <<
Please support us and buy us a coffee:
