There are those who may be surprised that Tank are still alive. They may also be surprised that ‘judgement day’ opens like Iron Maiden covering ‘Eye of the tiger’ before singer Doogie White unleashes a voice that is eerily like vintage Dio and the massive chorus kicks in promising that “all that’s evil will have its day!” and you’re hooked.
Tank originally formed in 1980 and were one of the prime movers of the NWOBHM scene. Sadly they never capitalised on their early promised and the band limped on until 1989 when they disbanded, weary of the music business and consistent line-up problems. However, with grunge successfully out of the way Tank reformed in 1997 and released an album in 2002 at the height of nu-metal’s reign of terror. Poor timing it may have been, but ‘still at war’ did at least keep the band alive and now, in 2010, Tank have unleashed a record that not only cements their reputation as an excellent band but which actually sounds as ferocious as a newly formed band out for blood on their debut. To what factors exactly you could attribute this ferocious desire to run at the head of the pack you could debate forever, but what is clear is that Tank have a newfound sense of purpose that has allowed them to deliver a record ‘war machine’ that more than lives up to its name. To this end check out ‘feast of the devil’, the second track on the record that cruises on a vicious and awesome guitar riff, huge-sounding percussion and Doogie’s astonishing voice. This is pure, unapologetic, unfashionable metal that will please fans of Sabbath, priest and Metallica alike. It’s simply irresistible and heavy as hell. Adopting a more traditional bent is ‘phoenix rising’ a fast, harmonised-solo-ridden track that is part Priest, part Maiden and altogether brilliant. It’s also the most typically traditional thing here but, thanks to an excellent production job, imbued with a bottom end that so many of the original NWOBHM acts lacked thanks to the limitations of the period. With ‘Phoenix rising’ the band approach the 7 minute mark but the following track, ‘war machine’ breaks the barrier for an exercise in dynamics and careful song-writing which allows Dougie the chance to exercise his vocal chords on a verse shorn of the band’s crushing guitars, although these return for the terrace-chant chorus that rivals Def Leppard for stadium-destroying size and volume. It’s a great, intelligent and heavy track that is worthy of sharing the album’s name and is the perfect showcase for those unconvinced that Tank can cut it in this decade.
‘Great expectations’ (happily not a cover of the dire Kiss song of the same name) has a great central riff that gets the feet moving after the slower ‘war machine’. A blistering exercise in pure heavy metal, the sound of which bands such as Poland’s excellent Panzer X spent whole EPs trying to recreate, the whole band sound absolutely on fire yet never out of control, rather talented, tight and hungry. ‘After all’ takes a step back for a well-written power ballad that successfully avoids the cheese and relies on some kick-ass guitar work augmented by Dougie’s consistently amazing vocals to truly deliver. You can’t, however, keep a good hard rock band from launching a renewed assault and ‘the last laugh’ is a fast, heavy blast with Mick Tucker and Cliff Evans delivering blistering solos with a zeal that you just can’t help but admire. ‘World without pity’ sees Dougie coming on as Chris Cornell at his most rocking while the band deliver a pure Def Leppard moment with a thoroughly hard rockin’ stop/start riff and memorable chorus. Final track ‘my insanity’ is a slow burner. Ominous bass gives way to a gentle acoustic guitar intro backed by synthesised strings before the band launch one last well paced assault on the senses complete with chugging central riff and hammering percussion.
In all honesty I didn’t expect much of Tank 2010 and I apologise without reserve for my lack of faith. ‘War machine’ is a contemporary blast through all the best aspects of NWOBHM performed by a band who have the experience, the passion and the talent to excel on record and in the live arena. While the whole band are exceptional, the real star is Dougie who sings like a god throughout. His vocals are a thing of power, beauty and wonder and his ability to hit those notes had me sitting dumbstruck with admiration when I first heard the record. Put any preconceptions you may have about this band aside and check out the finest traditional metal band currently treading the boards. Outstanding.
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