I haven’t fawned over anything this classic Colorado power metal band has done since their phenomenal 80s debut “Ample Destruction.” That said, this is definitely worth a listen, as it is miles above all other power metal bullshit that’s polluting the world of metal nowadays. Jag Panzer fuses a very modern sound here, consisting of pummeling, crystal-clear drums and blurs of neoclassical arpeggios, and their pre-power influences of NWOBHM and traditional metal. It’s important to remember that this band was around before power metal existed, so they are truly masterful old-timers. However, it is a little disappointing to hear them trying to sound like the new kids on the metal block. Oh well. Harry Conklin still bellows out his operatic vocal lines, and we can consider him the Bruce Dickinson of America. Good for getting your head banging, but nothing’s quite notably exciting here as “Ample Destruction,” so for fucks sake listen to that record next! TRY: 3, 5, 6, 7

1. Steady power metal gallop, shredding guitar arpeggios.
2. Mid-paced, charging song with soaring vocals and guitar harmonies. Blast this one after climbing to the top of a high mountain.
3. A sinister, charging rocker with some harmonic minor melodies, pummels ahead at moderate speed.
4. Glorious battle-charging metal, recalls Manowar.
5. Fast, chugging riffs speed ahead and develop into a menacing metal anthem.
6. Cheesy power metal guitar riffery, but pretty epic as far as it goes.
7. Speeding, thrashin’ metal, rhythmically recalls Priest’s “Painkiller”
8. A steady, marching chug of metal.
9. Starts with piano—a soaring power ballad with enough heaviness to make it decent.
10. Starts with ballad-y classical instrumentation, then the heaviness sets in and the song becomes grandiose, includes choir!