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If you like metal pick up this album and Thane to Throne and you won't be disapointed.


A breath of fresh air in the stale metal scene!   March 15, 2002
 4 out of 7 found this review helpful

I hadn't heard of Jag Panzer prior to discovering the spring tour featuring Iced Earth, In Flames and Jag Panzer. I was already familiar with Iced Earth and In Flames, but Jag Panzer was an unknown name to me.

Until last night when I discovered Mechanized Warfare.

Wow. This isn't typical...heavy metal. Jag Panzer is different. The twin guitar work is astounding. And the vocals are quite a few notches above most of today's metal singers. In fact, Jag Panzer features layered vocal harmonies that reminded me of Styx, Sweet or Stryper in some spots. In other words, it's obvious Jag Panzer put a lot of time into their harmonies and melodies.

To be honest, I wasn't expecting much when I put this CD into my car's changer. I had already struggled my way through Iced Earth and In Flames and thought Jag was just another metal retread. (I bought tickets to the three band line-up's April 20th Detroit show and I was getting myself familiar with the music before I made the 2-3 hour drive.)

But I was captivated with Mechanized Warfare from the first couple of tracks. The guitar tone is different. The guitar STYLE is different. And the aforementioned vocals are very good, indeed. Powerful, yet clean.

To my ears, Jag Panzer has more in common with Symphony X and Tesla than they do with Iced Earth and In Flames. The compositions are a bit more technical than those of the latter bands. And JG's guitar solos remind me of Tesla's. Very well done.

Mechanized Warfare is like '80s melodic metal sensibilities colliding with 2002's heavy, fast-riffing production. It's a tasty combination. And not at all pretentious. This music sounds authentic to me, made by musicians who know their craft and are really into it.

I haven't picked out favorite songs yet, although I like the first 3-4 a lot.

After hearing Jag Panzer, I can say: (1) I'm definitely going to the Iced Earth/In Flames/Jag Panzer Detroit show now...to see Panzer!; and (2) I'm going to buy more CDs from this talented Colorado band.


Dark and Pounding   January 29, 2002
 3 out of 3 found this review helpful

It's official - the metal scene needs more Jag Panzer in spades. Mechanized Warfare is one of the heaviest albums out right now - the melodies are dark and crunching. The vocals are dominant and melodic. The songs combine power chord verses with ambient chorus lines. And most importantly, the drumming is progressive - Jag Panzer have not fallen victim to being classified as a power metal band through repetitive double bass drumming (which is the downfall of so many power metal bands like Stratovarius and Sonata Arctica).
Agreed in that it takes a few listens to really appreciate what they've composed, but the CD is so enticing that you know you'll want to listen to the whole thing again after the first track ('Take to the Sky' is like a space-age Aces High).
My only gripe is that some tracks are too long - and the duration is filled with the chorus being sung over and over and over. If Jag Panzer can realize that a track doesn't have to exceed 6 minutes with repetitive chorus lines, then there is nothing stopping them from suprassing their peers. Iced Earth...yawn. Primal Fear...hype. Hammerfall...just go away. Jag Panzer are in the top tier bracket, along with Blind Guardian, Gamma Ray, and Symphony X - and they can still get better. The potential is astounding.


2nd Coming of Iron Maiden!! - 100% Pure Metal   August 25, 2002
 3 out of 3 found this review helpful

This is my first Jag Panzer album. After hearing one of their songs, i had to get my hands on this album.

One complaint by some in the metal community was that their sound was too derititive of Iron Maiden and other power metal bands. I will disagree with that. Sure you can hear the Maiden influence in these guys, but just about everyone has been touched by Maiden!

Very solid and complete album, my favorite track in this album is "Scarlett Letter". Other notables include: "Take To The Sky" & "Frozen In Fear". They had a gig not too long ago opening up for Iced Earth & In Flames. In my honest opinion i think these guys blow those bands away!

Very wicked heavy catchy riffs and insanse vocals!!

If you're a fan of Maiden, Priest, Helloween, HammerFall, Gamma Ray, Stratovarius, Blind Guardian, Iced Earth, & Primal Fear, then check this album out!!


Mechanized Perfection   October 1, 2002
 3 out of 3 found this review helpful

Jag Panzer strikes back. After the Macbeth's based album "Thane To The Throne", the American metal group returns to a more loose songwriting, free from linked concepts. "Mechanized Warfare" does a superb job: it sounds like traditional metal, and yet can bring us some unseen creativity and inovation.
Right from the opener "Take To The Sky" you should consider this album a "must have". Vocalist Harry Conklin leaves tons of other singers in the shame. His vocal range definetely takes to the sky and perhaps even surpasses it. His style and competence must be comproved by metal fans and even general music listeners, because he is a monster in the art of singing.
"Frozen In Fear" is a song with midtempo and fast moments, which are very well balanced. Again Conklin reigns supreme with his voice, allowing the band to
play with joy. "Unworthy" is just... Wow. it can be understood as a "Sign Of The Cross" look like song, but I am not saying it is a clone, actually this song sounds very original and interesting.
"The Silent" is everything but silent, the vocals are powerful like never before and the chorus is unbelievably inovative.
I don't feel obliged to comment the rest of this album for I will not have enough qualities to insert in "Mechanized Warfare".
You simply must buy it, listen to it, and enjoy it!