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Rock Impressions (Italian
Webzine) - Ambush Review
This new title is the second
album by the new Tygers, of
course the most famously known
Tygers in 'Metal', and is a disk
important to understand the
value of their return. Firstly,
the exciting artwork of Rodney
Matthews brought back to me
memories of many great albums
and made me feel much younger.
Secondly, I nearly had an heart
attack when I read the name of
the producer: Chris Tsangarides,
who was in charge of the first
two albums: now this is what I
call a comeback. The line-up is
almost unaffected by changing
only the bass player Brian West,
who has been replaced by Gavin
Gray; the voice is still the
powerful pipes of Jacopo Meille;
the engine of course is always
guitarist Robb Weir, who shares
the job with Dean Robertson,
while Craig Ellis is behind the
drums.
The disc starts with an acoustic
guitar and seems to betray the
expectations but, it is only a
fraction of a second before
there are the roaring guitars
and a riff as powerful and
anthemic as ever, supported by
the driving rhythm section and
"Jack" ready to show off his
voice better than ever.
Everything runs like a dream
"Keeping Me Alive" is an almost
perfect opening song. "These
Eyes" is less powerful but has
the catchy melody taking the
main role. "One of a Kind" is
very melodic, the strength of
heavy metal rock melts into a
great class and denotes a
vocation that the
American-Tygers have never
disdained. Drier and direct is
"Rock & Roll Dream", nice bass
line, this piece is just the
rhythm section doing the lion's
share ('tiger's ... oops!).
"She" has a distinct start that
reminds me of the Scorpions, but
then the song takes a personal
and compelling direction. "Man
on Fire" has an intriguing line
which branches off from the rest
of the repertoire, built around
blues, energised to capture
intensity. There's an adrenaline
rush again with "Play to Win",
one of those songs that live
forever. Then, time for "The
Ballad" and here comes "Burning
Desire" still very electric, but
full of passion. "Hey Suzie"
brings to mind the famous "Suzie
Smiled", but does not have the
same force - hey it's alway hard
to compete with such a classic
song - but the piece is not bad.
"Mr. Indispensable" has a
typical riff that captures you
right away, finally closing with
the fast" Speed", the right song
for a headbanging sound.
The Tygers with this album prove
they are in good heath and
though 'Ambush' does not show
any musical novelty it is
confirmation that its the
perfect album for all lovers of
heavy rock. Since the 80's Heavy
Metal has evolved and for this
reason this album will sound
more 'hard rock' for the new
generations, but NWoBHM marked a
revolution and the Tygers are
among the groups who have led
this revolution.
GB
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