After a 30-year break and resurgence in the live circuit 10-12 years ago, North East England’s NWoBHM legends Tysondog returned with their 2015 ‘Cry Havoc’ album. Fast forward and we have another album in the form of ‘Midnight’.
“hoy your hammer over here” was a phrase penned on their favourable first two releases, you can expect British metal heaviness that will shatter glass with said hammer. The music is quite similar to what is British metal of recent years by seasoned musicians has become. Take artists like Deep Machine, Def Con One and Blaze Bailey etc., then you have a flavour for the aggressive nature of the release. I’m pleased that “clutch” Carruthers (vocals) was well enough to record this release, and has a solid basis and gnarl that helped make the band’s sound, although I am not clear if he features in the current line-up.
As for the songs themselves, my version starts out well with ragers such as ‘Battalion’ and ‘It Lives’. Two tracks that I do not favour unfortunately are ‘Paper Cuts’ and the closer ‘Waiting for God’. I find them a touch slow and the latter ends the release on a flat spot for me. However, getting back to more positive hammer blows from the likes of the single ‘Cold Day in Hell’, this certainly beefs up your brains receptors.
There is nothing bad about the release, its solid; perhaps I just expected something else. However, rest assured, the strength is there and the will is never fading. These fellas make a lot of racket and its really justified to think of them that the band that got away all those years ago. Live, this should be presented much more powerfully, I am sure of it if past-witnessed performances are anything to go by. ‘Midnight’ has some good distribution so you will have no problem picking this up, although I always recommend going direct to the band.
(6.5/10 Paul Maddison)
05/05/2022 at 7:34 pm
Thanks for your input .. if your up in toon on the 10th June Tysondog have a free entry event to promote this album . Be good to say hi