Jag Panzer--The Fourth Judgement (1997)
Rating--9.1
Black--RealAudio Ready to Strike--RealAudio
Powerful, melodic vocals; strong, sustained, and layered guitar work; crunching power metal drawing from '80s influences while
incorporating '90s flash and technology. Sound good? Enter Jag Panzer. With a sound that mixes the power of
Priest, the innovative melodies of Maiden, and the emotional heavy-work of
Iced Earth, this album is one that continues to breathe new life into the power metal (and metal in general) bloodlines.
Vocalist Harry Conklin's voice is powerful yet smooth, and while no one comparison is dead on, images of Bruce Dickinson, Geoff
Tate, and Warrell Dane (though deeper) are all conjured at different times. However, the main reason no direct comparison can be made is probably
due to the fact that he has forged a sound all his own.
Guitarists Mark Briody and Joey Tafolla work well together, and the output
on this disc clusters them with some of the great twin axe combos of metal's past. At the same time, though, they seem more content will musical
solidity than flash---which speaks volumes in and of itself.
This offering starts off with the power pump of "Black"-- a throbbing churner that mixes power guitar with
well-placed emotional segments. "Despair" has an excellent backbone that features a one-guitar chug with the other laying down
evil lead spirals---and all while the verses are ongoing! Great creeping work behind Conklin's singing...
"Future Shock" displays a strong
guitar and bass pace, and both "Recompense" and "Ready to Strike" are just plain solid. The former shows off Conklin's vocal
versatility, while the later has some excellent muted-note guitar work at the top of the neck. A nice pulse!
Songs "Tyranny"
and "Shadow Thief" bring up images of a 'Powerslave' and 'Somewhere in Time' Maiden mix, as they are both strong, fast, and
mood-enhancing.
The album creeps towards its end with pure strength and emotion, with "Sonet of Sorrow" giving a "Dreamer Deceiver" type
feel to the band's sound. All acoustic, with great orchestration sections and wonderfully intertwining vocals. The mood continues on
album-closer "Judgement Day," and the band kicks in a little after the one minute mark to plow through one of the more concrete and
mood-shifting songs to come out in quite awhile. A flowing chorus, emotional singing, and excellent lead guitar work.
In all, this
is a tremendously solid album. Thanks, guys.
TRACK LIST: Black/Call of the Wild/Despair/Future Shock/Recompense/Ready To Strike/Tyranny/Shadow Thief/
Sonet of Sorrow/Judgement Day
Back to Discography