Sunday, November 4, 2018

November 4th, 2018 - Mechanized Warfare For The Hammerhead


Hello and happy Sunday friends!  Your drinking buddy the Meista here today pairing Jag Panzer's brilliant and underrated "Mechanized Warfare" with a Hammerhead Ale from McMenamins Brewing Company!  This pairing goes out to my "Uncle" Lloyd, who brought me this wonderful brew!  Cheers Lloyd... love you!!

Album Info:
  • Artist: Jag Panzer
  • Title: "Mechanized Warfare"
  • Recorded: 2001 at The Living Room Sound Works in Mesa, Arizona, Weatherepus Recordings in Bearville, Colorado, and Morrisound Studios in Tampa, Florida
  • Release date: July 23rd, 2001 (6th studio album by Jag Panzer)
  • Record company: Century Media Records
  • Production: Jim Morris
  • Album cover art: Travis Smith
  • Personnel: Mark Briody (rhythm and lead guitar and keyboards), Chris Broderick (lead and rhythm guitar and keyboards), Harry "The Tyrant" Conklin (lead and backing vocals), Rikard Stjernquist (drums and percussion), and John Tetley (bass)
  • Additional musicans: Rhiannon Conklin (choir), Todd Ehle (violin), Kimberly Kendall (choir), Brian Miller (choir), Jim Morris (choir), and Keith Spargo (choir), and the Monks from the Order of Saint Hubbins (Gregorian chants)
  • Musical style: Power metal, progressive metal, heavy metal
  • Sound: The mighty Jag Panzer is American power metal in the grandest sense of the style!  The tracks blend multiple elements of heavy metal and hard rock with strong, heartfelt songwriting, rich melodies, soaring harmonies, and that focused and masterful musicianship Jag Panzer is known for!  In the tradition of Thin Lizzy, Judas Priest, and Iron Maiden, the dual shredding guitar work of Briody and Broderick is soaring, paint-peeling, face-melting brilliance!  Their combined tone is perfect and the soloing is mind blowing!  Conklin's vocal range is huge, honest, and awe-inspiring!  And the combined thunder of rhythm section Stjernquist and Tetley hold it all together with machine-gun fire aggression, passion, and precision!!
  • Major themes: War, violence, valor, bravery, seduction, deception, death, hope, etc.
  • Tracks:   
  1. "Take To The Sky"
  2. "Frozen In Fear"
  3. "Unworthy"
  4. "The Silent"
  5. "The Scarlet Letter"
  6. "Choir Of Tears"
  7. "Cold Is The Blade (And The Heart That Wields It)
  8. "Hidden In My Eyes"
  9. "Power Surge"
  10. "All Things Renewed"

Brew Info:
  • Brewery: McMenamins Brewing Company (Ashland, Oregon)
  • Website: https://www.mcmenamins.com/
  • Brew: Hammerhead Ale
  • Style: American Pale Ale (APA)
  • Serving: 16 ounce can
  • ABV: 6.0%
  • IBUs: 44
  • Ingredients: 2 Row and Crystal 60 malts with Cascade hops
  • Pour: The Hammerhead pours a hazy, bright copper with a frothy and creamy light tan, 1+ finger head with great retention and lots of sticky, intricate lacing throughout.
  • Nose: The nose is sweet, malty, bready, dank, and slightly citrusy.  There are aromas of orange zest, grapefruit rind, vegetal hops, fresh herbs, and sweet caramel.
  • Taste: The taste of the Hammerhead follows the nose.  It is bready, sweet, moderately bitter, and slightly citrusy.  It actually reminds me more of an ESB than an APA.  There are notes of hearty bread, caramel, tangerine, bitter herbs, black tea, and a touch of honey.  
  • Mouthfeel: Medium-bodied and moderately carbonated, the mouthfeel of the Hammerhead is crisp, smooth, and bitter with a fairly clean, slightly bitter and dry finish.
Overall pairing: The McMenamins' Hammerhead Ale is a hearty and well-balanced brew with some good punch, though very drinkable... perfect for the might, intensity, and musical prowess of the mighty Jag Panzer!  'Nuff said!
    
Cheers and hails!!

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