The first time the Tygers of Pan Tang, who hail from up the road in Whitley Bay, appeared on the hallowed stage of the legendary City Hall in Newcastle was way, way back in 1980 opening for Saxon on their Wheels of Steel tour. A lot of water has passed under the bridge since then but sole remaining founder member, guitarist Robb Weir, looked deliriously happy to be back on home turf as special guests for Saxon.
As this was the only date the Tygers were playing on the Saxon tour this made tonight an extra special one and to mark the occasion they delivered a set built around their classic Wild Cat album, which they were promoting when they last supported Saxon 45 years ago. Energetic takes on “Euthanasia”, “Wild Catz” and the evergreen “Suzie Smiled” went down a storm with the crowd as lead singer Jacopo Meille breathed new life into these vintage cuts. Their Durham based bassist, Huw Holding, was clearly relishing his moment on the stage where he watched many legends from the crowd over the years.
As this was their last show before lead guitarist Francesco Marras departed for new ventures this was something of a bitter sweet night but ultimately something of a triumphant homecoming as they closed with their hit “Love Potion No.9”.
With the crowd nicely warmed up it was Dirkschneider, featuring Udo Dirkschneider the original singer in German Metal icons, Accept, along with their original bassist, Peter Baltes meaning that there’s actually more original Accept members on stage tonight than there is in the current Accept lineup.
As this was a tour to celebrate specific albums, Dirkschneider chose Balls To The Wall as part of its 40th anniversary celebrations to present in its entirety and it’s easy to see why. Crammed full of riff laden Metal, Dirkschneider was in his element. The ferocious title track replete with gang vocals opened as huge black “Balls To The Wall” balloons danced over the heads of the crowd. From then on the riffs never let up from “Losing More Than You Ever Had” and “Losers and Winners”. While the classy “Winterdreams” may have been the closest we got to a ballad all night, it simply served to lull to crowd into a false sense of security for a pummelling “Fast As A Shark”, seen by many as Year Zero for Thrash Metal and still to this day remains a thrilling slice of pure balls to the wall Metal.
After two cracking support bands that totally complimented the night it was time for Saxon to celebrate their special anniversary. 45 years ago Wheels Of Steel cracked the UK Top 5 yielding two Top 20 singles and gaining a Gold Disc in the process. Wheels Of Steel remains a milestone in British Metal to this very day.
Before the celebration of that very album commenced the first part of the night featured a selection of cuts from across their career including the title track from their latest offering, “Hell, Fire and Damnation” and “Madame Guillotine” showing that Saxon remain a potent creative force while “Sacrifice” from their 2013 album of the same name saw Saxon at their heaviest.
With “Power and the Glory”, “Never Surrender”, a brutal “Heavy Metal Thunder”, “Dallas 1PM” and “Backs to the Wall” from their 1979 debut, coming thick and fast, it was classic after classic.
The bulk of the main set was taken up with the entire Wheels Of Steel album from start to finish from the blistering “Motorcycle Man”, the timeless title track and the gold plated classic “747 (Strangers In The Night)” to the deep cuts “Freeway Mad”. “See The Light Shining” and “Suzie Hold On” it felt like the last 45 years had never happened and we starry-eyed teenagers back in 1980 for one brief moment.
Despite his recent health scare, Biff Byford was in fine voice throughout with long-term drummer Nigel Glockler and bassist Nibbs Carter providing the cast iron backbone while Doug Scarratt and former Diamond Head legend, Brian Tatler delivered the crunching riffs and screaming solos.
With Metal anthem “Denim and Leather” followed by “And The Bands Played On” and “Strong Arm Of The Law” heading into the final stretch it was down to the steam driven “Princess Of The Night” to close the 45th anniversary party in fitting style by one of British Metals most treasured institutions in what may well have been their most impressive performance in years.
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