Tytan
Tytan | |
---|---|
Origin | London, Great Britain |
Genres | NWOBHM, hard rock, heavy metal |
Years active | 1981–83, 2012–present |
Labels |
Kamaflage Records Majestic Rock |
Associated acts | Angel Witch, Lionheart, Liar, Judas Priest, E. F. Band, A II Z, Tora Tora, Aurora, Lion, AC/DC, Diamond Faith |
Members |
Kevin Riddles Tom Barna Dave Strange Andrew Thompson James Wise Steve Mann consultant role |
Past members |
Kal Swan Les Binks Dave Harrison Dave Dufort Tony Boden Simon Wright Gary Owens Stuart Adams Mikey Ciancio Steve Gibbs Andrew Prestidge |
Tytan was a British rock band which lasted about two years during the early 1980s, and which reformed in 2012. They formed out of the new wave of British heavy metal movement and are best known for their strong melodies.
History
Tytan was a British heavy metal band formed at the height of the new wave of British heavy metal in the autumn of 1981 by the former Angel Witch rhythm section, bassist Kevin Riddles and drummer Dave Dufort (ex-E. F. Band), Scottish vocalist Norman 'Kal' Swan, and guitarists Steve Gibbs and Stuart Adams. The latter left within months and was superseded by Gary Owens (ex-A II Z, Aurora) before Steve Mann (ex-Liar, Lionheart) settled in more permanently.
Signed to Kamaflage Records, a subsidiary of DJM, Tytan recorded their lone album at Ramport Studios in Battersea with Will Reid-Dick manning the boards. Former Judas Priest and Lionheart drummer Les Binks joined the band just in time for the recording in place of Dave Dufort. Jody Turner of Rock Goddess made a guest vocal appearance on the song 'Women On The Frontline.' Binks would be replaced by Tony Boden on the band's October 1982 UK tour with the Tygers Of Pan Tang who was gone shortly thereafter, replaced by Simon Wright (ex-Tora Tora, A II Z, Aurora).
Unfortunately, Kamaflage folded before the album had chance to be released but managed to release the single 'Blind Men and Fools' in both 7" and 12" formats in September 1982 before the band split up the following summer. Wright would join AC/DC and subsequently work with Dio, Rhino Bucket, and UFO. Vocalist Kal Swan moved to Los Angeles, California, where he formed the band Lion with former Lone Star guitarist Tony Smith whose replacement was future Dio and Whitesnake axeman Doug Aldrich. Swan and Aldrich went on to record a further 3 albums in the 1990s under the name Bad Moon Rising. Steve Mann returned to Lionheart and recorded the 1984 Hot Tonight album with the band before joining the McAuley Schenker Group, Sweet, and German prog rock institution Eloy.
In 1985, London-based label Metal Masters released the shelved Tytan tapes as the Rough Justice LP. A Japanese CD bootleg followed in the early 1990s, before Majestic Rock Records gave the album an official CD re-issue in 2004 and again in 2006, with 4 BBC 'Friday Rock Show' session live tracks ('Cold Bitch', 'The Watcher', 'Far Side of Destiny' & 'Blind Men and Fools') and a live DVD added as bonus on the second edition.
In 2012, following an invitation to perform at the Keep It True XV Festival in Germany, Tytan reformed, albeit with a revised line-up. Joining original bandmembers Kevin Riddles, Steve Gibbs and Steve Mann were vocalist Tom Barna (from the band Diamond Faith), Andrew Thompson on keyboards, and Angel Witch drummer Andrew Prestidge. Steve Gibbs left the band in early 2014. Drummer's Chris Benton and then Mikey Ciancio joined during 2012 and 2013 and in 2015 James Wise joined as the current drummer. Meanwhile, Dave Strange (Midnight Messiah) joined the band in Nov 2014 when Steve Mann moved to the role of consultant/producer to the band. The band are currently writing a second follow up album to "Rough Justice" with the working title "Justice Served" and touring UK and confirmed to appear at several European festivals in 2016.
Discography
- Blind Men and Fools 7"& 12" (Kamaflage, 1982)
- Rough Justice (Metal Masters, 1985 / Majestic Rock, 2004 & 2006)
See also
References
External links
- Tytan - official website
- Japanese Tytan Site of Destiny
- Tytan @ MetalArchives.com
- Tytan Last.fm page
- www.facebook.com/TytanOfficial