JAG PANZER – The Deviant Chord

Despite having its share of ups and downs over the years, Jag Panzer is still around to kick ass and play Metal. The veteran act has managed to survive a long string of lineup changes and stylistic deviations and has finally found a spot to live and grow old deep in the hearts of Traditional Metal fans. The Deviant Chord leans heavily towards the Power Metal side of Jag Panzer, with only a few hints and suggestions towards Panzer’s more Thrash rooted past. That being said, this is a fine Classic Power Metal release. Shredder Joey Tafolla is back in the band and his signature brand of fat, speedy lead work is a nice top coat to an already strong collection of songs.

Harry Conklin’s vocal arrangements are another highlight of the album, with a number of thick vocal harmonies presenting themselves across several tracks, most notably on “Far Beyond All Fear” and “Divine Intervention”. Generally speaking, the performances, both vocal and instrumental, are excellent.

One downside to this release is the mix. It’s a bit on the choked side and lacks the details and edginess that we’ve come to expect from modern metal releases. The result of this is that The Deviant Chord has a slightly dated sound to it. This won’t necessarily be a turn-off for everyone, but it will make this album a bit underwhelming when compared to new releases from Jag Panzer’s peers. There is also a noticeable lack of diversity among the songs. A deeper exploration of the band’s past might have made for a more varied and interesting release. This is still a solid album, regardless of those shortcomings.

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