Jag Panzer

Ruthless – The Fallen Review

Ruthless – The Fallen Review

Ruthless have ancient roots in the metal scene but haven’t been active enough to gain much notoriety. Their Discipline of Steeldebut was released way back in 1986 when a young undisciplined Steel was living for exactly the kind of US power they deliver, but tragically, our paths never crossed. Turns out they didn’t release a follow-up until 2015 and The Fallen is their fourth full-length.” Tough and Ruthless or rough and toothless?

Cruel Force – Dawn of the Axe Review

Cruel Force – Dawn of the Axe Review

Cruel Force released two back-to-back albums in 2010 and 2011, both showcasing a blackened thrash style—and both pretty awesome—but after a decade’s hiatus, the band apparently felt the need for speed, morphing into more of a traditional US-style speed-infused heavy metal project a la Jag Panzer or Omen.” Wiolence and Cruel Force.

Jag Panzer – The Hallowed Review

Jag Panzer – The Hallowed Review

Jag Panzer should need no introduction to those who dwell on this blogosphere. Blasting the cannons of truth and US power metal far and wide since 1983, they’ve carved out a strong, consistent, and impressive niche for themselves over a long-running reign of glory. Led by the one-of-a-kind vocal prowess of Harry “the Tyrant” Conklin, Jag Panzer’s Ample Destruction debut shocked and awed the masses with its catchy, kick-ass heavy metal on roids sound, and it left the world waiting more. Band instabilities meant that the more part didn’t come until 1997s The Fourth Judgment, which showed the band in a more refined, epic mindset. From there though, the hits kept on coming.” Much Panzer!

Leathürbitch – Shattered Vanity Review

Leathürbitch – Shattered Vanity Review

“The 80s were an interesting time to be a young idiot metal fan. As NWoBHM styles gave way to the early days of thrash and speed, there was this creative tension between acts that were 100% thrash and others that were not quite there but definitely speedy and aggressive. Bands like Savage Grace, Jag Panzer, and Agent Steel walked that line between US power metal, thrash and speed and I was always very enamored with that hybrid style. This puts what Portland’s retro metal maniacs, Leathürbitch do directly in the moldy wheelhouse of Steel.” Bonfires and vanity.

Venator – Echoes From the Gutter Review

Venator – Echoes From the Gutter Review

Echoes From the Gutter finds Venator expanding upon the classic sound they established on the well-executed and well-received 2020 Paradiser EP, a sound that finds them worshipping with reverent fervor before the alter of the deities of early 80s British and American heavy metal. When I listen to these guys, I hear Defenders-era Judas Priest mixed with Jag Panzer, Angel Witch, and Omen; their songs are undeniably heavy and irresistibly catchy.” Hello from the metal gutter.

Night Cobra – Dawn of the Serpent Review

Night Cobra – Dawn of the Serpent Review

“Snakes are as metal as skulls and demons, and nighttime is when all the fun, sketchy things happen. Ipso facto, Night Cobra is a spectacular name for a metal band. Especially for one throwing back so hard to the early 80s that they probably suffered slipped discs and Romulan back gout. On their Dawn of the Serpent debut, these Texas-based retro rockers deliver a mix of NWoBHM and early American power metal.” Snake bitten.

Blacksword – Alive Again Review

Blacksword – Alive Again Review

“With a tagline of “heavy metal from Siberia” and an eye-catchingly awful cover, Blacksword caught this primate’s primal attention. This is the sophomore outing by a group that last released something way back in 2010, so I wasn’t expecting a whole heck of a lot from these cold weather warriors. What you get on Alive Again however is a surprisingly spry and enjoyable dose of epic flavored traditional metal borrowing from the American power metal sound of the 80s as well as modern acts like Iced Earth and Diviner.” From Russia with iron glove.

Starlight Ritual – Sealed in Starlight Review

Starlight Ritual – Sealed in Starlight Review

Sponge Boy(d) and I don’t exactly have well aligned worldviews or musical tastes, but for whatever reason we both laid claim to the debut by Canadian classic metal act Starlight Ritual. Instead of fussin’ and feudin’, we decided to do a double review of Sealed in Starlight instead. See? People of different opinions can work together! Hailing from Quebec, this crew rocks a heavy metal sound steeped in the 80s. They cite influences ranging from Mötörhead, Rainbow and Judas Priest.” Sealed in the 80s.

My Refuge – The Anger Is Never Over Review

My Refuge – The Anger Is Never Over Review

“Following a distinctly cheese-less 2021, I decided to cherry pick something smelly. A promo surfaced, bearing both the words “Italian” and “power.” Perfect. However, and disappointingly, a deeper dive into the one sheet showed that this is only four eighteenths of the story; although the founder and main man is indeed Italian, the core band comprises a Spaniard and a German, with a further 15 contributors from across the globe, covering Czech Republic, Turkey, Canada and Venezuela, among others. My Refuge and their second full-length release entitled The Anger Is Never Over takes international to the next level but is it good? Is it cheesy?” No sanctuary from the anger.