Tytan

Tytan emerged in London, England, during the latter months of 1981 when bassist Kevin Riddles and drummer Dave DuFort, both previously with New Wave of British Heavy Metal outfit Angel Witch, joined forces with Scottish-born vocalist Kal Swan along with guitarists Steve Gibbs and Stuart Adams. The lineup soon shifted as Stuart Adams departed, giving way first to former A II Z guitarist Gary Owens and later to ex-Lionheart member Steve Mann. Their established credentials quickly drew favorable attention from the music press, earning an appearance in Kerrang! Magazine plus a Friday Rock Show session taped in the first part of 1982. Rather than distributing demos, the group chose to rely solely on that coverage and on strong word-of-mouth generated by their live shows to secure a major-label deal. When those hopes proved unrealistic, growing frustration prompted the musicians to accept an offer from the smaller independent Kamaflage, which issued their debut single “Blind Men and Fools” before 1982 closed. Initial sales proved brisk and reviews praised the band’s edgy yet accessible heavy rock sound, one that recalled Samson, Tygers of Pan Tang, and even early Def Leppard, suggesting a promising path ahead. Momentum collapsed, however, once the band finished tracking its first album, Rough Justice, in 1983. Even before those sessions began, drummer DuFort and guitarist Owens had exited; their places were taken by former Judas Priest percussionist Les Binks, while future AC/DC and Dio drummer Simon Wright also contributed at one point. Kamaflage nonetheless declared bankruptcy prior to any release, leaving all assets tied up in court proceedings. As a result, Rough Justice remained unavailable on vinyl until 1985 and did not appear on compact disc until 2004. By then the original members had long since pursued separate projects, yet critics and listeners have since recognized the group’s clear talent and unrealized potential.