When Herman Frank and Stefan Schwarzmann left ACCEPT I was really upset. This line-up seemed optimal, which best proof was last album “Blind Rage”, which I find a masterpiece. Well, sometimes even the best machine starts to fail. Was it the same this time? Hard to same, anyway gentlemen mentioned before doesn’t want to stop fighting. They joined new project of Schmier (DESTRUCTION), who apparently missed classic Heavy Metal and decided to create new band named PANZER (I  at once associated it with Peter’s (VADER) project PANZER-X, especially that also musical layer of “Steel Fist” was a tribute to classic Heavy Metal).  Inviting former ACCEPT musicians seems like a good move, because they’re created for playing music like this.
We didn’t have to wait for a long time to get an effect of work of this trio, debut album entitled “Send Them All To Hell” I was little concerned about Schmier’s vocal parts. I doubted, if this will fit this kind of music. Luckily, my intuitions were unfounded. Vocal reminds of Cronos from VENOM, so it fitted, but a good move will be finding something with Halford’s scale. Maybe it wil give PANZER more firepower? From the other hand, it’s hard to force Schmier to put his balls into vice and sing with falsetto, anyway his vocals aren’t bad, but they could be more varied. Compositions itself are a firework. “Hail And Kill” is a true ear devastation. What’s more- it’s not the only song, that can show listeners their place. I’d be surprised, if in PANZER music won’t be ACCEPT influences.  It’s enough to listen to backing vocals or guitar parts of Herman Frank to know what kind of musicians we’re dealing with. Opening album “Death Kneill” is pretty good, but it seems worse than other songs, which step by step put album on more power. “Temple Of Doom” is almost a Speed Metal song, and everything thanks to crazy play of Stefan Schwarzmann.  About song “Panzer” I expected something more in crazy speed, and gentleman served us much heavier song, crawling like a war machine: slow and medium tempos, powerful guitar sound, riff by riff. After this hit it will be difficult for you to get up! “Freakshow” is apparently inspired by TV series “American Horror Story”, it’s a song played with more power. Everything swings good, going really fast, getting more and more speed like a bullet. There are speed shots of solos. Of course there is one moment to rest, but everything doesn’t loose it’s aggresiveness. “Mr. Norbian” from the first sounds serves us a big storm or gutiar riffing, creating a big chaos, so intensed that it’s a shock. Very classic, almost punk chorus connected with massive-sounding composition creates an unique connection. “Why?”, slow, almost Sabbath’s song with a huge dose of grim atmosphere and darkness puts listener to the wall. “Virutal Collision” played in thrash metal convenction seems nice, diversifying the album. It’s also worth mentioning fenomenal, Heavy Metal solo. Listening to this makes legs went soft. “Roll The Dice” is one of that DEADLY songs. From the beginning it destroys everything. Really massive composition with a huge dose of energy, and solo smashed my brain into million pieces. “Bleed For Your Sins” closes basic version of the album at reminds of old, good JUDAS PRIEST. That perfect song possesses a great package of emotions. And there’s also a perfect finish, which is massacrating everything Herman Frank’s solo. Everyone who has “Send Them TO Hell” released by Nuclear Blast Rec will probably go mad right now, but the market’s law doesn’t know any mercy. Japanese edition have one more song- “Murder In The Skies”. Not a clogging song, but really nice sounding, classic sound under the influence of ACCEPT. I think, that ACCEPT without Herman Frank and Stefan Schawrzmann lost a lot. Let’s hope that band will find a worthy replacement. Right now, thanks to that castling we’ve got another interesting band named PANZER. I’m more than sure, that we’ll hear about them more than once. Those, who haven’t heard “Send Them All To Hell “ yet should change it. Otherwise you’ll misse a great piece of Heavy Metal music

LWS