With a pedigree the length of Jag Panzer’s, it’s hard to know what to say that hasn’t already been said about this iconic Metal band. It’s also difficult to write anything to grab someone’s interest when over the years people have linked Jag Panzer with terms like ‘Heavy Metal Stalwarts’ and ‘Power Metal Veterans’, which enables some of a more cynical nature to easily and ignorantly dismiss them as irrelevant. But this new offering from these insatiable American Metallers has plenty of relevance to a current and voracious Heavy/Power Metal crowd. Nailing down why this release stands out from its previous counterparts is maybe a little more tricky, but as the album unfurls the reasoning behind it begins to take shape.
Four members of the band have been there since the 80’s (including irrepressible vocal powerhouse Harry ‘The Tyrant’ Conklin of course), but one distinct difference with ‘The Hallowed’ is the addition of newcomer guitarist Ken Rodarte (replacing on-again/off-again guitarist Joey Tafolla) emphatically being able to match and expand on his predecessor’s lead guitar antics. Fresh blood generally can give a band new impetus and this certainly seems to be the case on ‘The Hallowed’, with renewed energy on display throughout. However, another major factor in this may also be that the band have been musically directed this time around by drummer Rikard Stjernquist, something I’m always surprised more Metal bands don’t try.
This approach has inevitably lead to ‘The Hallowed’ being slightly more rhythmically driven and heavier, something that Jag Panzer absolutely thrive in. Conklin’s vocals will always carry those infectious melodies and dynamic vocal lines perfectly, as they do here, so nothing to analyse there, but the music definitely sounds more focused and intense this time around. This is a concept album, which is always an involved process, but this new approach has also meant that guitarist Mike Broady’s could focus his attention on the songwriting, with the confidence of knowing the songs would easily come together in the studio. The end result is certainly a return to form for a band who have never really delivered anything mediocre anyway, packed with powerful rhythms, memorable heavy guitar-work and striking vocals – everything a Jag Panzer album should be. Full of vitality, power and strength, Jag Panzer are a long way from being written off as mere stalwarts or veterans yet.
(8/10 Andy Barker)
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