Jag Panzer
Casting the Stones
Century Media
By: MetalKing
Jag Panzer. I've never had a bad opinion about them, which is something I can't say about a lot of bands. Really liked their song "Frozen in Fear" off their "Mechanized Warfare" album. Other than that time period I never really payed much attention to them. I know, I know. I should be more aware of things. What really matters is that they got to tour with the greatest band ever, Iced Earth. This probably won't be too long of a review, seeing as how I can't go on and on about them like I can other bands. But I suppose the point is to be objective right? Ok here we go guys. Put the cd in again and into the review we plunge.
I didn't find anything too complicated about this release. Pretty straightforward. I came to this conclusion as I started to dissect the songs one by one and found that most of my reviews for them were rather much the same. You'll see what I mean.
I think, after much debate by the voices in my head, that we've decided to break this cd down for you thusly:
First track: Feast or Famine - Not too bad, but not how I would have started the album out. The beginning isn't too bad. Later on I find I don't really like the pacing of the music overall. The chorus being better than the verses. The singing also doesn't sit quite so well with me on some occasions. Some nice instrumental parts in the middle of the song though. Not a bad song, just not really to my taste fully.
2.) The Mission (1943) - I really like this song, and not just for the content of the song. My love of history being well known. Nice start, it really pulls me into it. Again I like the chorus moreso than the verses, but that has no bearing on how much I like the song. High marks and a warm fuzzy feeling.
3.) Vigilant - I don't find the beginning particularly impressive, but maybe that's just their weakness on this album. From there it progresses well actually. Maybe it just took me a while to get used to their singing again.
4.) Achilles - Good opening riff, not the greatest opening as far as the singing goes. Takes a while for the song to get going but overall it's not too bad.
5.) Tempest - Excellent drum start of the song. Too bad The singing breaks it up. Actually a more solid song in regard to the verses than most. Has a bit of a mellow acoustic part in the middle to break things up, then heads to the guitar solo.
6.) Legion Immortal - Really more of the same.
7.) Battered and Bruised - Wow, I really don't like that fading voice in the background. Otherwise it's really the biggest negative to the song.
8.) Cold - Didn't need the effect on this vocals at the beginning, but otherwise not bad. All I could think about was Aqua Teen Hunger force "You're...cold as ice" "Classic...total classic." Actually like the verse more than the chorus here again. Kinda weird.
9.) Starlight's Fury - The beginning here reminds me of some other song. I can't really place it at the moment but it does. After that it goes on in predictable fashion, much like a couple of their other songs on here. Not much of a standout for me.
10.) The Harkening - Has a beginning that builds up to it a little bit.Then continues in the same fashion as a couple others. Another song that's not really that special.
11.) Precipice - Has a mellow, ballad like into. They do it again mid song before speeding it up once again. Probably the best song to end the album on.
Overall I feel that this is not a bad album. However it doesn't really stand out that much either. It's really what I expected from Jag Panzer. An album that you don't mind listening to, but won't go out of your way to find. At least that's my opinion. If you're a fan of them already, then go ahead and buy it. Since you already like them, you'll know what to expect. It's not bad, go for it. If you're not neccesarily a fan of them, there's not real reason to buy it unless you're simply flush with cash or love buying every bloody metal release on the planet. If all else fails and you can't trust me, just download some samples here people.
11/13/04
