TIGER ARMY NEVER DIE
This is Tiger Army’s 3rd full album that they have released. The band started up in 1996 with a studio lineup brought together by Tim Armstrong of Hellcat Records. Nick 13 was the main man behind all the songwriting. The result was the self-titled album, “Tiger Army”, and 2 years after that, “The Power Of Moonite.” Geoff Kresge(formerly of AFI), and Fred Hell then joined the band to tour non stop for a couple of years. In early 2003 the band was getting ready to record another cd, when Fred Hell was shot during a home-invasion robbery. That is when Mike Fasano then took over drumming for the album, and in mid-2004, “Ghost Tigers Rise” was complete.
The album starts off with an intro song known as “Prelude: Death Of A Tiger”, which is nothing really special, but it gets you into the mood for the rest of the songs. The next song, “Ghost Tigers Rise” then comes in with a little guitar intro followed by bass and then an explosion with the drums coming in and vocals yelling out “RISE”. There is a nice little bass solo 1:34 in, which is interesting, followed by everyone shouting “TIGER ARMY NEVER DIE”. “Wander Alone” is a good track with great vocals and a catchy guitar riff that sounds cool. The next song, “Santa Carla Twilight”, is one of my favorites off the album. It starts off with a cool guitar part and goes right into a catchy bass-line with guitar as well. Nick’s vocals sound excellent on this song, and the chorus is great.
The next few songs do not seize to amaze me, with “Ghostfire”, “Rose Of The Devil’s Garden”, and “Atomic”. The song “Atomic” is just orgasmic. There is just something about it that makes you love it. The drumming is good, with solid fills; the bass is great, supporting everything; and the guitar just makes everything come together. Nick’s singing on this song is just excellent. I love the chorus when Nick lets out a few “Whooa”s and when he yells “fiiiiire”. “What Happens” is another solid song, not my favorite but a good track. Every song is in the right spot, with nothing out of place. “Through The Darkness” is another one of my favorites. I just love the bass intro. There is a nice guitar solo in the middle of the song, which is good. Everything about the song is great. It is the best bass on any song of the album, and the same goes for the singing.
“The Long Road” is a very nice track, a calmer song off the album. The pedal steel guitar fits in perfectly here and Nick’s guitar playing is great too. The next song, “Calling” is a nice solid song, but nothing too special. The guitar is still great and the bass is as good as always. “Swift Silent Deadly” is the fastest song, and it is a good one. Nick’s voice has a weird effect but it goes well with the song. “Sea Of Fire” Is the final song on the album, and it is a good closer too. The song starts off with just guitar, bass, and drums playing. Then at around a minute in, Nick comes in with his singing. The guitar and vocals by Nick are just fantastic on this song. The bass is also great and the drumming is very good too. This is another great track and one of my favorites.
The album as a whole is wonderful. Every song is in the exact place it should be in the album, and there really aren’t any filler tracks. Nick 13 does a great job with the vocals and with the guitar at the same time. Geoff plays great bass that supports everything and is catchy. And Mike Fasano does a great job filling in for Fred Hell at drums.
Standout Songs…
Wander Alone
Santa Carla Twilight
Ghostfire
Atomic
Through The Darkness
Sea Of Fire
Band Members…
Nick 13 – Vocals, Guitar
Geoff Kresge – Stand-up Bass, Vocals
Fred Hell – Drums
Other Musicians…
Mike Fasano – Drums
Greg Leisz – Pedal Steel Guitar on “The Long Road”
Jose and Oswaldo – Back-up Vocals on “Ghost Tigers Rise”
Fred Hell did not play any drums on this album because he was shot 4 times, but he is the band’s drummer so his name still appears on the album. All of the drums were played by Mike Fasano.
Overall I give this album a 4.5/5. It is truly a must have for someone into psychobilly music or punk music.
