TYGERS OF PAN TANG wild cat MCF3075

Today’s entry claws its way back to the very beginning of the New Wave of British Heavy Metal (NWOBHM). We are looking at the 1980 UK pressing of Wild Cat, the debut album from Tygers Of Pan Tang, released on MCA Records with the catalog number MCF 3075.

Released in 1980, this album holds a unique and cherished place in the band’s discography. It is the only full-length studio album to feature original vocalist Jess Cox. Consequently, Wild Cat possesses a raw, gritty, and street-level energy that distinguishes it from the more polished, technical sound they would develop on later albums like Spellbound.

Produced by the legendary Chris Tsangarides at Morgan Studios, the album captures the youthful aggression of the Whitley Bay quartet. The lineup features Robb Weir on guitar, Rocky on bass, and Big Dick on drums. The tracklist is packed with early genre staples, including the high-speed opener Euthanasia, the catchy Don’t Touch Me There, the heavy groove of Money, and the enduring fan favorite Suzie Smiled.

MCF 3075 is an essential artifact for anyone studying the roots of 80s metal. Mastered at The Town House, this original UK pressing offers the authentic, unrefined sound of a band helping to define a movement, bridging the gap between 70s hard rock and the speed of the coming decade.