Jag Panzer is one of the most underrated metal bands in the United States. They should have been much more successful, but I believe they enjoy their committed fanbase, consisting mostly of music devotees that value music that is not just simple and popular but also true and heavy.
“The Hallowed” is their new release, which arrives six years after “The Deviant Chord”. The only line change is the addition of guitarist Ken Rodarte (Downhill Trend), who has been with the band as a live musician since 2018. Moreover, Jag Panzer also signed with the new music label Atomic Fire Records. This is an excellent move for the band since they will have more exposure and promotion than in the past.
Musically, “The Hallowed” stays true to its US power metal roots with the addition of 80s Maiden and Judas Priest influences. The production is dynamic, heavy, and not overpolished. The musicianship is superb, and Harry “The Tyrant” Conklin still has it, as he signs with passion and power! The heavy guitars, the amazing leads, the pounding rhythms, the lyrical depth, and the catchy melodies keep you hooked from beginning to end. The album’s sound can be described as both nostalgic and refreshingly contemporary. Personal favorites are: “Bound as One”, “Ties That Bind”, “Onward We Toil”, “Edge of a Knife”, “Dark Descent”, “Weather the Storm”, “Renewed Flame”, and “Last Rites”.
The album’s fitting title, “The Hallowed”, is a sacred journey through the depths of power and glory! Let alone the post-apocalyptic artwork! Jag Panzer has proven once again that their legacy will be “hallowed” in the halls of metal history. Jag Panzer’s stunning new album is a gift to metalheads everywhere, leaving us in awe and craving for more. It’s a headbang-worthy heavy metal feast!
