They saw a poster featuring a German World War II tank, named Jagdpanzer literally "hunting tank" in German, but actually referring to what in English would be called a tank destroyer, which they decided to name their band after. They were, however, unable to pronounce the name correctly and as a result, dropped the letter "D" from the name and simply called it Jag Panzer. The band, who were all in their late teens at the time, played at local venues in the Denver club circuit, and recorded an EP in 1983, later known as Tyrants. In early 1984, the band recruited Joey Tafolla, a native of California, and promptly recorded their first album, Ample Destruction. The album was released in August of that year by the independent record label Azra Records. The album was an underground hit in the United States, and in Europe and Japan it was available on import only.
After the release of the album, the band relocated to Southern California. Tafolla quit the band in 1986, releasing a solo album, Out of the Sun, in 1987, while Conklin played with Riot for a brief period in the late 1980s, before forming his own band, Titan Force. Without the two key members of the Ample Destruction line-up, Jag Panzer, or more accurately Briody and Tetley, as Hilyard had also been replaced by Reynold 'Butch' Carlson (who also left in 1986 along with Tafolla), revamped the band by recruiting vocalist Bob Parduba, and guitarist Christian Lasegue.
The Swedish born drummer, Rikard Stjernquist, was added to the line-up and the band proceeded to record the follow-up to their debut LP. The album was recorded in late 1987, but never got an official release.
By 1994, the band had reunited, this time with vocalist Daniel J. Conca, with Tetley and Briody on bass and guitar. Guitarist Chris Hostka and drummer Rikard Stjernquist were employed on their first official album in almost 10 years, Dissident Alliance. It was released by the German indie label Rising Sun.
The next album was on Century Media, The Fourth Judgement, which came out in late 1997, followed by Age of Mastery (1998). Jag Panzer sought to tackle more ambitious territory for their next album, with Thane to the Throne, a concept album about William Shakespeare's Macbeth.
Mechanized Warfare was released in 2001, then the band released a double album in 2003 that featured previously unreleased tracks as well as songs from their first LP. Decade of the Nail Spiked Bat came out in 2003, and featured re-recorded and remixed old material. In 2004, the band released Casting the Stones. The previously unreleased Chain of Command album was remixed and was issued in 2004 as a limited edition.
In 2008, Chris Broderick left the band to join Megadeth, and was replaced by Christian Lasegue, who handled lead guitar duties on Chain of Command.
On December 23, 2008, Briody made a post on the band's official forum stating that the title of their next album would be The Scourge of the Light. On the official site, the band announced that SPV/Sony planned to release the album in February 2011. The album was released March 8, 2011.
Two weeks after its release, The Scourge of the Light placed at No. 117 on the Billboard New Artist Chart, making the album Jag Panzer's most successful to date.
On July 25, 2011, the band announced that they are to disband due to the rising costs of touring. Jag Panzer played a special early days show tour with Joey Tafolla for the first time in Europe. They played two shows in Greece, one in Austria and they headlined the Keep It True Festival XVII on April 25, 2014, in Germany.
High Roller Records released a 4-LP vinyl box set entitled Historical Battles – The Early Years, on April 19, 2013, limited to 500 copies.
By 2014, Jag Panzer had commenced working on their tenth album for a near future release, also featuring lead guitarist Joey Tafolla for the first time since 1997's The Fourth Judgement. Jag Panzer announced in August 2014 that it was looking for a new vocalist. However, it now appears that Harry Conklin has rejoined the group as of March 2015. In October 2015 the band announced their new album title would be The Deviant Chord and would be released sometime in 2017. The album, which was released by SPV/Steamhammer on September 29, 2017, included a cover version of the Irish folk song "Foggy Dew".
Full Wikipedia article: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jag_Panzer
Discography
Ample Destruction (1984)
Dissident Alliance (1994)
The Fourth Judgement (1997)
The Age of Mastery (1998)
Thane to the Throne (2000)
Mechanized Warfare (2001)
Chain of Command (2004, inedits in 1987)
Casting the Stones (2004)
The Scourge of the Light (2011)
The Deviant Chord (2017)
The Hallowed (2023)
Licensed To Kill
Jag Panzer Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Orders are given to attack
Flames light the sky from over the hill
No time for turning back
Well, the blood lust runs cold inside my veins
Twisting tormenting my mind
I feel a scream from deep inside
It lets me know I'm the killin' kind
Gonna yell, unleash this demon rage
Scream, I'm a tiger in a cage
Yell, I'm on the prowl again
Scream
A soldier on the streets somewhere in L.A.
Preparing this night for the attack
Swinging chains and switchblade knives
Feel the nails in my baseball bat
Well, I love to fight, I love to screw
Feel my heat begin to rise
Don't walk the street at night, my friend
Or you're in for a surprise
Playing on the sheets of untold sin
Who can tell what the darkness withholds
Spread your wings and we can fly
Bodies ready to explode
Touch me, thrill me, you can scratch me, love
Get me in your stranglehold
Well, you make me moan, I'll make you yell
Passions uncontrolled, uncontrolled
The song "Licensed To Kill" by Jag Panzer reflects on the theme of violence and the love for it that lies within some individuals. The song depicts the singer as someone who finds pleasure in killing and is driven by a blood lust that twists and torments his mind. The lyrics suggest that this urge to kill is so strong that it feels like a demon inside of him that is screaming to be let out.
The first verse of the song sets the scene for an attack with scrambled signals on the radio, flames lighting up the sky, and no time for turning back. The chorus of the song, "Gonna yell, unleash this demon rage, Scream, I'm a tiger in a cage" suggests that the singer is ready to let out his violent side and attack with all his might. The second verse takes the listener to the streets of L.A. where the singer is shown as a soldier preparing for an attack with weapons like chains, switchblade knives and a baseball bat with nails.
The lyrics in the song suggest that the singer's urges can be satisfied not only through killing, but also through engaging in violent sexual acts with someone in the sheets of untold sin. The song suggests that the singer enjoys the feeling of being in control and causing pain to others. Overall, the song reveals the ugly side of human nature and the dark consequences that can result from people giving in to their violent urges.
Line by Line Meaning
Scrambled signals on the radio
Communication is unclear and unreliable
Orders are given to attack
Commands to start an offensive have been issued
Flames light the sky from over the hill
An intense fire can be seen in the distance
No time for turning back
It's too late to retreat
Well, the blood lust runs cold inside my veins
A strong desire for violence and killing runs through the artist's body
Twisting tormenting my mind
The singer is mentally struggling with their violent desires
I feel a scream from deep inside
The singer's violent impulses are overwhelming and consuming
It lets me know I'm the killin' kind
The artist realizes that they are predisposed to violence and killing
Gonna yell, unleash this demon rage
The artist is preparing to act on their violent impulses
Scream, I'm a tiger in a cage
The artist feels trapped and ready to unleash their violence
Yell, I'm on the prowl again
The singer is looking for another opportunity to commit violence
Scream
An expression of intense emotional release
A soldier on the streets somewhere in L.A.
The singer is a soldier in Los Angeles
Preparing this night for the attack
The singer is planning to commit violence tonight
Swinging chains and switchblade knives
The singer is armed and dangerous
Feel the nails in my baseball bat
The artist's weapon is sturdy and formidable
Well, I love to fight, I love to screw
The artist enjoys both physical battles and sexual activity
Feel my heat begin to rise
The singer is becoming more aroused and aggressive
Don't walk the street at night, my friend
The singer is warning others to stay away from them at night
Or you're in for a surprise
Those who cross the artist will face violent consequences
Playing on the sheets of untold sin
The artist is engaging in illicit sexual activity
Who can tell what the darkness withholds
It is unknown what secrets and dangers lurk in the darkness
Spread your wings and we can fly
The singer is encouraging their partner to be wild and free
Bodies ready to explode
The artist and their partner are highly aroused and ready to engage in sexual activity
Touch me, thrill me, you can scratch me, love
The singer is describing sexual activities they enjoy
Get me in your stranglehold
The singer wants to be dominated and controlled by their partner
Well, you make me moan, I'll make you yell
The singer is describing the mutually enjoyable sexual experience they are having
Passions uncontrolled, uncontrolled
The artist's emotions, both violent and sexual, are unrestrained and overwhelming
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: JOHN HARRY CACAVAS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind