ALBUM REVIEW: The Hallowed – Jag Panzer

Despite a string of hiatuses you just can’t keep JAG PANZER down. They keep coming back stronger than ever. It’s been a minute since the release of 2017’s The Deviant Chord but the heavy metal stalwarts are back once again with their eleventh studio album entitled The Hallowed which is available now via Atomic Fire Records. What do they have in store for us this time round?

Bound As One takes little time to slot straight into the pocket with emphatic drum beats and powerful falsetto bursts. The uplifting lyrical depictions of companionship are particularly invigorating, especially followed by a fret blazing solo. Prey feels like you’ve switched over to Blue Planet by accident with its calming opening narrative. It soon sparks back into life with swift shredding and a strong tempo. Ties That Bind possesses an anthemic, stadium rock type quality, utilising plentiful harmonies and colourful melodic tones.

Stronger Than You Know holds on to that energy, storming onward with formidable drumming and slick riff work. The soaring chorus lines are destined for the stage. Onward We Toil takes a dark turn, dialling up the heaviness with crunchy hooks. Whilst not entirely sacrificing the melodies it allows for them to come surging through the shadows. Edge Of A Knife builds up the tension with frantic beeping before leaping into a galloping stride. Throughout its runtime this track traverses through varying moods and emotions, proving for an intriguing listen.

Dark Descent holds onto that vigour, twisting and turning in various directions to keep you guessing. Weather The Storm leads you gliding down a wave of intricate instrumentation. The trade-off between captivating vocal passages and scintillating lead work offers up one of the highlights of this release. Renewed Flame keeps that momentum flowing as addictive drum sequences combine with gnarly guitar work. Last Rites reprises the enveloping narrative one final time before beginning its extensive voyage. Opting for a slower, ponderous pacing works in the songs favour, slowly unravelling its layers along the way. There is plenty to maintain your attention span which can be a challenge with tracks of this nature. The sweeping lead work leaves an emphatic mark.

To be in operation for multiple decades and still possess this kind of fire and passion is admirable. JAG PANZER have been there, done it, got the t-shirt but still have plenty of creative juices left to give. The Hallowed is still firmly stuck in a style which may be considered ‘nostalgic’ to the younger generations but it would be rude not to commend the bands who paved the way.

Rating: 8/10

The Hallowed is out now via Atomic Fire Records.

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