Tangent's musical style was never going to be written in tablets of stone, for the simple reason that they always reserved the right to do something different. That said, the overall sound, was that of a very British Heavy Rock/Metal outfit. Although a number of ballads were gigged, the band also crossed from those, through heavy metal, progressive rock, thrash metal and just plain ROCK. Tangent adopted and promoted the term "British Metal" as a self descriptive moniker, and stickers with that were to be found around London and the south where they concentrated their gigs.

With only one exception Tangent produced original music that was always growing. Before gigs the current selection of members favorite numbers were put on the play list like the players in a football team. Subs were ready on the bench in case of an encore.

During Steve Ebsworth's time Tangent conceded to play a cover of "For Whom the Bell Tolls" by Metallica; then a favorite band, with NWOBHM roots. During gigs this cover was played as part of in interval in one of their own tracks called "Chains of Hell". Quite fitting they thought! It always went down well.