UMUR "Tyrants" is an EP release by US, Colorado formed heavy/power metal act Jag Panzer. The EP was relaesed through Azra Records in 1983 and is the second official label release by the band (the first being the "Death Row" single released earlier the same year). Jag Panzer was formed under the Tyrant monicker and released a couple of demos, but changed their name to Jag Panzer in 1981, because another band was already using the Tyrant name.

The music on the album is a strongly NWoBHM influenced heavy metal style, and there are quite a few nods toward Iron Maiden in particular. On "Tyrants", Jag Panzer is a four-piece and consisting of The Tyrant (aka Harry Conklin) on vocals, Mark Briody on guitars/keyboards, John Tetley on bass and Rick Hilyard on drums. The four guys produce a very raw and intense form of heavy metal delivered with passion and conviction, but it´s not devoid of sophistication or melody. The latter elements provide the music with memorability while the former provide it with authenticity and the sweaty and filthy feeling of experiencing a raw heavy metal band play live, because the sound production is so raw, that it almost sounds like the tracks on the EP were recorded live in the studio. That´s not the case though and I hear some harmony guitars to back that claim up.

The original release featured 4 tracks and full playing time of 16:36, but some reissues features a 5th track titled "Towers of Darkness", which was also recorded at the same sessions as the other tracks on the EP, but ultimately left ff the original release.

Even for 1983 "Tyrants" doesn´t feauture a very unique sound, but the rawness of the release, the high level musicianship (strong vocals, raw pounding rhythm section, and blistring raw yet melodic tinged guitar work), and the obvious joy of playing are what carry this EP forward. The material are generally also pretty well written, but as mentioned does lack an original sound. A 3 - 3.5 star (65%) rating is deserved.