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Midnight

    
       
       
       
     
             
Tysondog are a heavy metal band from the UK forming in 1983 at the height of the legendary NWOBHM evolution - an evolution that began with a new breed of bands such as Angel Witch, Raven, Venom, and leaders of the pack Iron Maiden. Tysondog released two albums during the mid eighties - 'Beware Of The Dog' (1984) and hot on its heels, 'Crimes Of Insanity' (1986) - showcasing their pedigree as a new force in British heavy metal. With the scent of international fame just around the corner, and a planned tour to collar the American market, the band sadly suffered a number of internal problems, and in 1987 Tysondog went to sleep... Only to re-awaken twenty one years later, re-emerging and re-marking their territory with the E.P. 'Hammerhead' (2012), followed by their third full length album 'Cry Havoc' (2015). Re-energised, and with more bite than ever, the band are slowly reclaiming their position as a force in heavy metal, and with the release of fourth album 'Midnight' (in 2022), I have no doubts they're well on their way.    
             
'Midnight' (the album) features nine songs over forty minutes - a very heavy forty minutes, for Tysondog sit at the heavier end of the traditional metal genre. The band unleash their new album with the six minutes plus 'Battalion' - foot stomping in and then accelerating to the classic pace of traditional metal, planting one foot firmly on the monitor. Thirty eight years after their debut release, the band are still delivering hard hitting heavy metal to head bang to - with rabid mosh pits all around the world screaming "battalion" at the tops of their voices. 'Cause 'Battalion' is a cracking opener to lead with, Tysondog setting their stall out very early, and setting the tone for what is to follow - 'It Lives' moving forward with a more melodious intent than the opening salvo. Mid tempo and mid paced, 'It Lives' is heavy with a slight touch of menace, and a hint of a snarl among the vocals. Moving into a much heavier realm, 'Hellbound' hits like a wrecking ball, yet switches to slower, less musical, more vocal passages. And the chant style chorus will have everyone growling "hellbound" in unison, the band onto a real winner with this one for crowd participation.    
             
Title song 'Midnight' opens with an epically majestic and atmospheric intro before that wrecking ball heaviness comes crashing in once more, and we're off foot stomping heavier than ever - you know the kind of heavy foot stomp, it's the one Judas Priest made famous. But Tysondog are not copying the British legends - oh hell no! Tysondog were around in the mid eighties when 'Priest were still refining their craft - so who is really copying who! Electrifying pace lights up the album in the mighty shape of 'Defiant', the band baring their teeth and moving forward with gusto. The pace, the power, and the head bang ability of 'Defiant' will have fans panting with excitement, raising their fists high in the air wagging their finger in salute to a fucking great song. And the glorious guitar sound of the NWOBHM takes centre stage for 'Dead Man Walking' - a majestic walk of buzzing guitars with a head bang-able bombastic nature that every die hard metal head will lap up and throw their heads back and forth with vibrant enthusiasm.    
             
The heaviness of the album so far has been unrelenting, yet here comes another epic and majestic styled intro, courtesy of 'Paper Cuts' - continually building to a crescendo, but not quite letting go. 'Paper Cuts' has a continuous atmosphere of fear and menace, with some listeners getting down off the sofa and hiding behind it! And as we approach the tail end of the album, Tysondog pick up the pace, adding more melodious intent than ever, galloping forth with 'Cold Day In Hell' - featuring the most addictive and sing a long-able chorus the album has to offer. And to be quite honest, it sounds like the band were having a ball recording this one, the energy and oomph a lot higher than heard previously. The bone crunching intro to 'Waiting For God' soon gives way to a more mellow and menacing march, eventually resuming the bands NWOBHM root sound. And after four decades, Tysondog still have it, barking out the metal tunes with as much get up and go as they always did. So whatcha waiting for sports fans, go be good boys and girls and fetch yourselves a copy of 'Midnight' (the album) and get your mucky paws on a hard rocking tasty treat from an original NWOBHM band - Tysondog, who I reckon are gonna win a lot of new fans with this release.    
             
Overall a hard hitting slab of traditional heavy metal, highly infectious and head bang-able to the max.    
             
             
Review by Iron Mathew Collins    
             
Reviewed for Metal Gods TV    
             
             
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