UMUR
"Ample Destruction" is the debut full-length studio album by US, Colorado based US power/heavy metal act Jag Panzer. The album was released through Azra Records in August 1984. It´s the successor to the "Tyrants" EP from 1983 and it would be Jag Panzer´s only full-length studio album in their original run before disbanding in 1988. Lead vocalist Harry Conklin went on to front Titan Force on their two albums before returning for Jag Panzer´s 1997 "The Fourth Judgement" album (he also sang on the 1986 "Metal from Hell" album by Satan's Host). There has been one lineup change since the release of the 1983 EP, as guitarist Joey Tafolla has been added to the ranks, making Jag Panzer a quintet on "Ample Destruction".
Stylistically the material is US power/heavy metal in the raw and early 80s style of that genre. Early 80s releases by similar sounding artists like Queensrÿche, Fates Warning, Helstar, Vicious Rumors, and Savatage are all valid references and Jag Panzer are musically also in the same high quality end as the other mentioned artists.
The original version of "Ample Destruction" featured 9 tracks and total playing time of 39:05 minutes, while later reissues typically have featured quite a few bonus tracks. The 9 tracks feautured on the original version of the album are all strong tracks, featuring thunderous drumming, hard rocking bass, sharp and heavy guitar riffs, blistering solos, and Conklin delivering a varied and commanding vocal performance. He is able to perform piercing high pitched screaming vocal parts as well as harder edged rough lower register vocals with the same amount of passion and conviction. A world class vocalist that one.
The songwriting is generally on a high level and all tracks are memorable, catchy, and powerful. Most tracks are relatively easy to follow vers/chorus structured US power/heavy metal tracks, but album closer "The Crucifix" is a 7:28 minutes long mini-epic and actually quite progressive in nature. There is overall good variation in the songwriting and the album never stops being entertaining. "Ample Destruction" also features a well sounding production for the time (mayby a bit thin sounding for some ears today) and upon conclusion it´s a strong debut album by Jag Panzer. A 3.5 - 4 star (75%) rating is deserved.