In a world where power metal resembles video games more than traditional metal music, it’s nice to be able to review an album that takes us back to its metal’s roots. "Scourge Of The Light" is the 8th studio album of US power metal band's career. The biggest change we see here is the absence of veteran guitarist Chris Broderick, who between "Casting the Stones" and this album, departed to join Megadeth. So the biggest question is, how does this hold up since Broderick was such a huge part of Jag Panzer's sound? The answer to say the least, is extremely well. Former guitarist Christian Lasegue has stepped in to fill the void and the result couldn't be better. He complements Briody perfectly, the guitar work and awe-inspiring solos are some of the best in Jag Panzer's existence.

Guitarists aside, Harry Conklin is singing the best I have heard him in years. He is almost heralding back to the glory days of "Ample Destruction" in some instances. The album should be a teaching tool in terms of how traditional styled heavy metal should be played regardless of the year it came out. "Mechanized Warfare" was my favorite Panzer album, It was head and shoulders above everything else back in 2001. With that said, it WAS my favorite Jag Panzer until now. "Scourge Of The Light" takes Panzer to levels I never thought possible.

From the firecracker opener of ‘Condemned to Fight’ all the way to the epic ‘Book of Kells’, you will be sent on a fantastic melodic metal voyage.

The one thing I love about this album is the consistency throughout. These guys really know how to create a body of music that’s not redundant and finds ways to hold your interest. You have speedy numbers like ‘Cycles’ and ‘Let It Out’ that dominate with Priest like precision, an almost folk metal vibe to ‘Setting Of The Sun’ and ‘Book of Kells’, to mid tempo monsters like ‘Bringing On The End’, ‘Overlord’, and ‘Call to Arms’.

It’s hard to pick favorites from this album (I had the same problem with "Mechanized Warfare"). "Scourge Of The Light" is a traditional melodic metal fan's treat from beginning to end, all killer no filler. If you were a bit disappointed with "Casting The Stones" it’s doubtful it will happen here.

We have our first great album of the year to make it into my Top 10 list of 2011.