- Sep 14, 2001
- 1,695
- 18
- 38
HardReviews 2
by Martin Popoff
[font=arial, helvetica]Jag Panzer - Casting The Stones
(Century Media) Colorado's Jag Panzer have always used their long, complicated, inscrutably metal history to positive effect, and now regularly touring and with a stable line-up for five albums now, the specific vision is honed even sharper. First off, Jag Panzer is in a class of one, only Nevermore and Eidolon serving as some sort of comparison but still not quite. Casting The Stones possesses a harrowing underground metalness that is somehow, in comparison to the recent stuff, more melodic and triumphant but darker at once, the twin riffing of Broderick and Briody working rhythmically, with spaces, o'er which Broderick solos artfully. Up top, Harry Conklin unites the package with long, soaring notes while the bruising yet hi-fidelity rhythm section of John Tetley and Rikard Stjernquist is uncommonly busy for a traditional metal act. Galloping, trotting, pummeling... Casting The Stones is dirty, level-busting, nearly chaotic, fully fire-breathing traditional metal that manages to let loose with a live feel despite meticulous crafting, which is I guess where the band gets its timeless, non-sterile, "not power metal but power metal" uniqueness.
Rating 8
[/font]
by Martin Popoff
[font=arial, helvetica]Jag Panzer - Casting The Stones
(Century Media) Colorado's Jag Panzer have always used their long, complicated, inscrutably metal history to positive effect, and now regularly touring and with a stable line-up for five albums now, the specific vision is honed even sharper. First off, Jag Panzer is in a class of one, only Nevermore and Eidolon serving as some sort of comparison but still not quite. Casting The Stones possesses a harrowing underground metalness that is somehow, in comparison to the recent stuff, more melodic and triumphant but darker at once, the twin riffing of Broderick and Briody working rhythmically, with spaces, o'er which Broderick solos artfully. Up top, Harry Conklin unites the package with long, soaring notes while the bruising yet hi-fidelity rhythm section of John Tetley and Rikard Stjernquist is uncommonly busy for a traditional metal act. Galloping, trotting, pummeling... Casting The Stones is dirty, level-busting, nearly chaotic, fully fire-breathing traditional metal that manages to let loose with a live feel despite meticulous crafting, which is I guess where the band gets its timeless, non-sterile, "not power metal but power metal" uniqueness.
Rating 8
[/font]
