Tygers Of Pan Tang / Toledo Steel / Seven Sisters - Black Heart, London (UK) - 24 October 2016

Proceedings open with the excellent Seven Sisters who were the best support band I had seen for a while. Setting the scene as though it was 1984 all over again, their A-grade guitar and inspired changes of pace mid-song (like classical movement) reminded us of the old days of Diamond Head and everything good Metallica took from them and brought up to date. With the vocalist as handy on guitar as the others with Bluesy solos reminding us of Gary Moore and screaming class, the presence of overlays of screaming solos against solid guitar harmonies set exactly the right tone for a reunified Tygers Of Pan Tang gig.




Main Support Toledo Steel are a solid Iron Maiden-inspired act, with a vocalist wearing red-studded gloves who has the Dickinson scream, who had presence even in a space the size of a postage stamp and even looks like a younger model Bruce. They also have an engaging bassist who reminded me of original Diamond Head bassist Colin Kimberley delivering notes like bullets from an AK47... in a good way. This is denim vest brigade all the way and, again, totally suitable as a precursor for the Tygers.

There's no doubt that the Tygers last album was great but they are a different beast than they were in the eighties. One can perhaps forgive vocalist Jacopo Meille for being obviously far more comfortable with the newer material than the old classics which were not even all in the set; new songs like 'Glad Rags' going over far better than 'Love Potion No 9', Meille being more of a Robert Plant or an Ian Astbury than a Sebastian Bach. Lead guitarist Micky Crystal looks the part of guitar hero and steps into the role with consummate ease, while Robb Weir, who has been there and done all that, generously allows the young buck plenty of air time to shine while providing seasoned technique and flair in a less flashy way.

Despite the cowbell (for the audience sing-along) tonight was surprisingly less about a nostalgia trip than a living breathing band trying to cut its own identity with solid material. I say... let them fly!

Dawn Osborne