Jag Panzer - Ample Destruction

202 days till W:O:A 2023.

Today I am writing about yet another metal classic: Jag Panzer's debut album Ample Destruction from 1984. 

Jag Panzer formed in 1981 in Colorado Springs, Colorado. They started playing under the name of Tyrant at first, but had to change their name as this one was already taken. Vocalist Harry Conklin kept his nickname "The Tyrant" though. In 1984 the band recruited Joey Tafolla as their lead guitarist and shortly after recorded their debut album. Ample Destruction was an underground hit and it holds up beautifully to this day. It is now nearly 40 years old, but if you start playing it, it still sounds perfect. It sounds like... heavy metal. There is just no other word for it. When listening to Ample Destruction, I was surprised that Jag Panzer are not mentioned alongside bands like Iron Maiden, Judas Priest or Manowar, because they clearly play in the same league here. The answer is probably timing. After releasing Ample Distruction the band's line-up changed as members were interested in pursuing other projects. It took Jag Panzer ten years until they managed to release their second album (with guitarist Mark Briody and bassist John Tetley being the only original members) and by then they had missed their heyday. The band disbanded twice between 1988 and 1994 and again between 2011 and 2013. The latest line-up includes three of the four founding members: Harry Conklin (vocals), Mark Briody (rhythm guitar), John Tetley (bass). They are supported by Joey Tafolla (lead guitar) who has also been a member of Jag Panzer for their releases in 1984 and 1997 and long-term drummer Rikard Stjernquist who has been with the band since 1986. I am very excited to see this line-up play live in Wacken this year!

When listening to Ample Destruction for the first time, Conklin's vocals that stood out most to me. He has a wide vocal range, being able to perform gruff snarls, but also really high falsetto screams like Halford. He sounds a bit like the US version of Bruce Dickinson although  his vocals are not quite as polished. His sound is a bit more rough and aggressive, which matches the album quite nicely.

The opener Licensed to Kill gets right to the point and sets the tone for the rest of the album. Apart from some Halfordesque screaming the song features some passages where Conklin reminds me of Dio in his pronunciation ("I'm in heeeeeell"). The next song Symphony of Terror features the famous Maiden gallop and makes it really hard not to compare Conklin to Dickinson. Again, the chorus is really memorable inviting you to sing along.

Nosferatu is his name and he's spreading his curse

'Cross the land, feel his eyes take your soul

Heed my words, run if you can

Harder Than Steel is a favourite of many fans. Again, frenzied and relentless riffing, but very melodic. Generally Hostile is just storming along and features some great lead guitar work towards the end as well as the by now familiar gangshouts (No Mercy!) After the speed metal in Generally Hostile we get the mid-paced The Watching where I am once again reminded of Dio in the way the song tells a story and Conklin delivers the vocals. Reign of the Tyrants picks up the speed again and while the chorus is somehow catchy, it is not my favourite song on the album compared to the ones before. Cardiac Arrest could well be a Manowar song with regards to the lyrics and ends with yet another round of top notch screaming from Conklin. The album ends with the 7:29 minute long metal ballad The Crucifix. Harry Conklin is giving his all, hitting incredibly high notes. The stomping riffs in between his vocal performances are great. In the second half the song picks up speed and showcases some more Maiden gallops, ending in epic bells and storm sounds.

To wrap things up - I absolutely enjoyed listening to Ample Destruction. It is a heavy metal classic and caught the feeling and attitude of the rising 80s metal bands. 

Favourite songs: Licensed to Kill, Warfare, Symphony of Terror, The Watching