Thane To The Throne (Jag Panzer)

Jag Panzer is best known for being one of the longest lasting veterans of the American power metal scene. This album is a fine example of the band's twin guitar talents of Mark Briody and Chris Broderick, the occasional touches of symphonic elements, and the strong baritone of vocalist Harry Conklin. This also shows a more well read side of the band as the work is a concept album based upon the story "Macbeth." Fortunately, I have read the play (Junior year English Literature class...) so I know what the Hell's going on...

Thane Of Cawdor: The album begins with some soft symphonic sounds and a little choral effect with a nice military drum pattern in the background. The song itself is a loud, mid-tempo track that has a bold and triumphant feel to it. The verses feature some higher pitched wails going against the riffs and the chorus makes use of some neat vocal layering. The solo section goes in a faster direction and features some harmonies as well. It ends on a soft note that goes nicely into the following track...
The song begins as Macbeth becomes the Thane of Cawdor after slaying the old Thane in battle. Praised for his victory and nobility, he is considered to be in line for the throne and thus begins to plot the assassination of King Duncan.
8 out of 10

King For A Price: This is probably my favorite track on the album. It is a strong, fast track that features plenty of awesome riffs and vocals that are really belted out. The verses feature some great vocal melodies trading off with the riffs and the pre-chorus/chorus is insanely catchy and powerful in its delivery.
The lyrics of this song deal with Macbeth plotting Duncan's assassination and the associated paranoia that goes with it.
9 out of 10

Bloody Crime: This tune continues the album's heavier direction and sorta reminds me of a style similar to Megadeth's "Countdown To Extinction" era. The main riff is quite crushing and matches the vocal harmonies quite excellently. I also like the solo section and the heavy riffs within. The vocals deserve props for this tune as he uses two "characters" so to speak: his normal voice to represent Macbeth and a slight falsetto is used to speak for Lady Macbeth. King Diamond, eat your heart out...
On this song, Macbeth finally carries out his plan and slays the King, receiving the crown in turn. He then frames two servants for the crime he commited and eventually slays them as well. He feels guilty about his acts, but is convinced by the Lady Macbeth to stand strong and fulfill his ambitions.
8 out of 10

Treachery's Stain: This track begins with some neat drum fills and some heavy riffs. The riffs during the verses are quite dissonant yet match the interestingly sequenced vocals. The chorus is a little awkward but is memorable and effective. I like how the vocals go into almost a growl during the chorus and the layering done at the end of the song is quite eerie. The solo section is quite interesting as well as it goes into faster and darker territory.
As the blood continues to spill, Macbeth's friend Banquo begins to suspect that the Macbeths are responsible for the carnage. In fear of him telling others the truth, Macbeth sends assassins to kill Banquo and his son. They manage to kill Banquo but his son escapes.
7 out of 10

Spectres Of The Past: This song starts out with a few triumphant sounding riffs and some neat vocal melodies during the verses. The chorus on this one is memorable as well. Like several other songs on here, it seems to get heavier and more energetic during the solo section. I do like how it gets faster for the final verse. A neat track though another fast track (all the way through) would be awesome...
After Banquo is killed, MacBeth begins to think that everything has been covered up. Unfortunately for him, Banquo's ghost appears at a party MacBeth is holding, adding on to his guilt. Of course, only MacBeth can see him and it apparently drives him to near madness...
7 out of 10

Three Voices Of Fate: Another nominee for greatest track on the album. Here we have another triumphant track that is mostly made memorable for the choir that dominates the album. It is especially powerful when they complement Conklin during the chorus. Tis truly amazing. The riffs, drumming, and violin is also really great and adds strongly to the song's kick some ass tone. As always, the solo section is quite great and uplifting. In a way, the song reminds me of the sound of Iced Earth's "The Glorious Burden," only better...
As MacBeth becomes more paranoid, he seeks the Three Witch Sisters for aid and advice (as they predicted that he would become Thane and King...). Of course, the Witches mess with his mind and give him bizarre prophecies that he believe will never happen, one of them being that "no one of woman born" can kill him. He also swears to kill the family of MacDuff, another Thane who poses a threat to his reign.
10 out of 10

Hell To Pay: Now we go into heavier territory with this track. Starts off great with a crunchy guitar tone and some nice drums in the background. The verses feature some strange but cool strings in the background and some well done vocals. The chorus is pretty neat and has an almost murky tone in its delivery. It feels like a little directionless here and there but I dig it.
On this song, MacBeth sends assassin to kill MacDuff's wife and son. In his moment of weakness, MacDuff asks Malcolm, the son of Duncan and the one originally in line for the crown, for assistence and an army.
9 out of 10

Insanity's Mind: Continuing the heaviness is this tune with its chugging main riffs and sweet leads behind them. The vocals are higher pitched (part of portraying Lady Macbeth) and go into an absolute falsetto during the powerful chorus. The verses are a little slower and focus more on the vocals. The solo section on this one is quite dark. It seems to get softer for the final verses (though the loud chorus is still kept in tact...).
We now go to the perspective of Lady MacBeth, who is suffering from the guilt of having manipulated MacBeth to carry out the murders. She spends her time contemplating and eventually commits suicide.
9 out of 10

Face Of Fear: As if things weren't heavy and dramatic enough, the next few tracks become a bit more dramatic with the next few tracks. The introduction is quite powerful and feature strong drumming and dramatic riffs. Kinda reminds me of "Am I Evil?" in a way. The verses feature some powerful vocals going against the heavy riffs. The chorus of this one is another catchy one and features some nice choral vocals in the background.
The next three songs deal with a battle between MacBeth's forces and the invading army led by MacDuff. Seeing several prophecies coming true, MacBeth begins to feel that he won't win the battle, but decides to not go down without a fight.
9 out of 10

Fall of Dunsinane: This song begins softly with dark guitar parts, military drumming, and an interesting bell in the background which then fades into strong and dramatic guitar harmonizing. The verses are heavy and feature some dissonant riffs and vocals going at a mid-tempo pace. The solo section keeps the song going in a heavy direction and the song ends in the way it began.
The battle rages on as MacBeth searches the castle for MacDuff, killing several soliders along the way.
8 out of 10

Fate's Triumph: The dramatic tone continues with the track and it features some great riffs and a soft violin here and there. The verses have some nice drumming and Conklin delivers his lines with power and conviction. The chorus is quite powerful as well as is the solo section.
The climatic battle between MacBeth and MacDuff commenses, each man fueled by vengeance. MacDuff eventually kills MacBeth and ends his reign of terror, citing that his mother died in childbirth and he was born by Ceasarian section (not of woman born, you see...).
9 out of 10

The Downward Fall: While there are several interludes found on the album, this one is the most noteworthy. It is an accoustic driven instrumental that showcases the talents of the guitarists. It starts out soft and then goes into some fast paced flamenco inspired territory.
This doesn't have much significence to the story itself...
7 out of 10

Tragedy Of Macbeth: Closing the album out is a sweet epic track with a slightly ballad-ish feeling to it. It starts out off soft in its first few verses with its accoustic guitar playing, mournful strings, and operatic vocals. The chorus is quite beautiful as well as it features a great duet. The song gets heavier and a bit more dramatic after the song's second chorus. The riffs are pretty neat and the vocals are higher pitched. The chorus is more powerful in its heavy mode and features a nice choir singing for Conklin in the chorus. Of course, the song has plenty of sweet sounding solos and the song gets faster towards the end. In a way, it kinda reminds me of Queensyrche's "Eyes Of A Stranger" in its dramatic fashion of closing out the grand concept...
The lyrics don't add much to the story and retell the whole thing in a broader fashion. It describes everything from the Witches's initial prophecy to the death of MacBeth at the hands of MacDuff. A clever way to close the album in terms of lyrics.
8 out of 10

Overall, this album gets 108 out of 140, 77%, and 3.5 stars. Sometimes it goes a little slow and it may get a little inconsistent here and there, but Jag Panzer has crafted a really great work. I'd recommend for fans of both power metal and classic literature. Hmm... I wonder how many of those there are...