At least since the self-titled work from 2016, the TYGERS OF PAN TANG have found their - compared to the classic NWoBHM phase - clearly modified style in the new millennium: More hard rock, but less heavy metal fragments. On "Bloodlines" the British/Italian alliance continues on this path more or less undeterred. The guys around original member/guitarist Robb Weir rock the place for 44 minutes in a relaxed and calm manner and try to give the clientele as much hit-related material as possible.

Oh well. For all the goodness of the new disc with its smooth harmonies and hooks, my personal hope would have been that one or two catchy tunes à la "White Lines"/"Only The Brave" would be found on it, but this time it was just wishful thinking. Sure: the songs basically fit, have drive and soul, and never give the impression that they were created on the drawing board. Singer Jacopo Meille also warbles confidently into the microphone. The band can no longer be imagined without him.

Solid and almost free of a-ha effects, you can listen to "Bloodlines" in one go without any problems, but for a pure buy recommendation, this often cited, certain something is missing, even though the semi-ballad "Making All The Rules" is positively out of the ordinary at the end and marked the actual highlight. Further play tips: "Edge Of The World", "Back For Good", "A New Heartbeat".


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