Here's the CTS review from the German metal magazine Heavy oder was!? The new Jag Panzer CD is their current number 1:
"Es gibt Bands, die werden im Laufe ihrer Karriere immer am Debüt gemessen und auch mit 'Casting The Stones' können Jag Panzer den übermächtigen Schatten von 'Ample Destruction' nicht überstrahlen. Trotzdem ist 'Casting The Stones' wieder ein Hammer geworden, was daran liegt, dass das Songwriting der Colorado-Metaller nach wie vor elitär ist. Nach dem - meiner Ansicht nach - für einen Opener zu ruhigen 'Feast Or Famine' legen Briody & Co. mit 'The Mission (1943)', 'Vigilant' und 'Achilles' drei klassische Metal-Hymnen nach. Weitere Highlights sind 'Battered And Bruised' (der klingt, als sei er in den goldenen Achtzigern entstanden) und der Midtempo-Brecher 'Cold'. Herausragenden Gesang ist man von Jag Panzers Vocalgott Harry 'The Tyrant' Conklin ja gewohnt, aber auch Flitzefinger Chris Broderick steht seinem Frontmann in musikalischer Hinsicht in nichts nach und verdient ein heftiges Brother-Of-Metal-Schulterklopfen. Zum Abschluss beweist der 'The Moors'-ähnliche Track 'Precipice', dass Harry und die Jungs auch die ruhigen und majestätischen Klänge beherrschen - ein absolutes Gänsehautstück. Das neue Album ist der Volltreffer geworden, den man von Jag Panzer erwartet hat. Mit 'Casting The Stones' haben sie wieder ein Werk geschaffen, das Fans verzücken und an dem die Konkurrenz zerbrechen wird. Martin Brandt (11 Punkte)"
My interpretation:
"Some bands will always be measured by their debut album and 'Casting The Stones' too cannot overshadow the almighty 'Ample Destruction'. But 'Casting The Stones' is another awesome album from Colorado's finest, simply because the songwriting is first class as always. 'Feast Or Famine' (IMHO too calm for an opener) is followed by the three classic metal anthems 'The Mission (1943)', 'Vigilant' and 'Achilles'. Other Highlights are 'Battered And Bruised' (sounds like a golden oldie from the 80s) and the midtempo stomper 'Cold'. Jag Panzer's vocal God Harry 'The Tyrant' Conklin has always been known for his outstanding singing, but shredder Chris Broderick plays in the same musical league and really deserves a Brother-Of-Metal-pat on the back. The closing 'The Moors'-like 'Precipice' shows that Harry and the boys can also very well handle the quiet and majestic parts - goose bumps guaranteed. The new album is the smash hit that everybody expected from Jag Panzer. With 'Casting The Stones' they created a masterpiece that will enrapture the fans and break all rivals.
Martin Brandt (11 points out of 12 with an average of 9.2)"
There's also an interesting interview with Mark Briody in the magazine, but I won't type and interpret the whole page. Here's the main points:
-The title track 'Casting The Stones' may appear on JP's next album.
-The record company hated the fact that JP offered two songs for download on their website before the album was released and Mark promised he'll never do it again
-Mark couldn't answer the question what 'Feast Or Famine' is all about, because he doesn't know about Harry's lyrics (he was too busy during the production of the album)
-Mark didn't like Blind Guardian's 'Nightfall On Middle Earth' very much when he heard it for the first time, but he listened to it again and again and after 100 listens he thought that it's brilliant and one of the best metal albms ever
-Harry wanted to write a song about Achilles since he was 12 or 13 and Mark always wanted to write a short epic, and now they finally did it.
"Es gibt Bands, die werden im Laufe ihrer Karriere immer am Debüt gemessen und auch mit 'Casting The Stones' können Jag Panzer den übermächtigen Schatten von 'Ample Destruction' nicht überstrahlen. Trotzdem ist 'Casting The Stones' wieder ein Hammer geworden, was daran liegt, dass das Songwriting der Colorado-Metaller nach wie vor elitär ist. Nach dem - meiner Ansicht nach - für einen Opener zu ruhigen 'Feast Or Famine' legen Briody & Co. mit 'The Mission (1943)', 'Vigilant' und 'Achilles' drei klassische Metal-Hymnen nach. Weitere Highlights sind 'Battered And Bruised' (der klingt, als sei er in den goldenen Achtzigern entstanden) und der Midtempo-Brecher 'Cold'. Herausragenden Gesang ist man von Jag Panzers Vocalgott Harry 'The Tyrant' Conklin ja gewohnt, aber auch Flitzefinger Chris Broderick steht seinem Frontmann in musikalischer Hinsicht in nichts nach und verdient ein heftiges Brother-Of-Metal-Schulterklopfen. Zum Abschluss beweist der 'The Moors'-ähnliche Track 'Precipice', dass Harry und die Jungs auch die ruhigen und majestätischen Klänge beherrschen - ein absolutes Gänsehautstück. Das neue Album ist der Volltreffer geworden, den man von Jag Panzer erwartet hat. Mit 'Casting The Stones' haben sie wieder ein Werk geschaffen, das Fans verzücken und an dem die Konkurrenz zerbrechen wird. Martin Brandt (11 Punkte)"
My interpretation:
"Some bands will always be measured by their debut album and 'Casting The Stones' too cannot overshadow the almighty 'Ample Destruction'. But 'Casting The Stones' is another awesome album from Colorado's finest, simply because the songwriting is first class as always. 'Feast Or Famine' (IMHO too calm for an opener) is followed by the three classic metal anthems 'The Mission (1943)', 'Vigilant' and 'Achilles'. Other Highlights are 'Battered And Bruised' (sounds like a golden oldie from the 80s) and the midtempo stomper 'Cold'. Jag Panzer's vocal God Harry 'The Tyrant' Conklin has always been known for his outstanding singing, but shredder Chris Broderick plays in the same musical league and really deserves a Brother-Of-Metal-pat on the back. The closing 'The Moors'-like 'Precipice' shows that Harry and the boys can also very well handle the quiet and majestic parts - goose bumps guaranteed. The new album is the smash hit that everybody expected from Jag Panzer. With 'Casting The Stones' they created a masterpiece that will enrapture the fans and break all rivals.
Martin Brandt (11 points out of 12 with an average of 9.2)"
There's also an interesting interview with Mark Briody in the magazine, but I won't type and interpret the whole page. Here's the main points:
-The title track 'Casting The Stones' may appear on JP's next album.
-The record company hated the fact that JP offered two songs for download on their website before the album was released and Mark promised he'll never do it again
-Mark couldn't answer the question what 'Feast Or Famine' is all about, because he doesn't know about Harry's lyrics (he was too busy during the production of the album)
-Mark didn't like Blind Guardian's 'Nightfall On Middle Earth' very much when he heard it for the first time, but he listened to it again and again and after 100 listens he thought that it's brilliant and one of the best metal albms ever
-Harry wanted to write a song about Achilles since he was 12 or 13 and Mark always wanted to write a short epic, and now they finally did it.
