Review Summary: You’re not the one I was looking for
Psychedelic noisy tunes for the hopeless romantic is how the experimental mathcore post hardcore outfit Jackal Twins describe their music and that description made me not knowing what to think as those characteristics could be fitting for many bands in the indie scene as well. The production is handled by the powerhouse that is Kurt Ballou, the album title is cryptic and the cover art mysterious: this is Cuzco.
The album starts off with a strong build up created with noise, reverb and eerie echoing soundscape that just as fast as it makes us hold our breath the tension climaxes and we get introduced to the relentless and brutal energy of Jackal Twins and we are from the get go in for a treat.
On the mentioned opening track «Harbor Delirium» we get a taste of the many influences Jackal Twins wear on their sleeve. From passages of guitar riffs reminiscent of Every Time I Die, The Dillinger Escape Plan and more spacey passages with guitar parts that sounds like they could be on the soundtrack for Better Call Saul or something from a Trophy Scars tune.
Some comparisons are impossible not to make, and the second track «One Eyed Wolf» gives a lot of the same aggression and energy as something from Miss Machine.
Another thing that needs to mentioned is that although the lyrics arent always that easy to make out, the lyricism on this is stellar, and on this song with lines like
«A wolf with one eye guided me though trails he said only he knew,
I believed him trhough the shouts of empty evil and foolish pursuit»
A change of pace comes with the third track «Charcoal Lions», with its progressive influences and swancore esque parts that allows the band to show a more light and fun side, in contrast to much of the darkness and brutality that is evident on all songs. Even on this one, but it is just cranked down a notch or two.
«Visions of unholy places still cross my mind:
Nebulous neon lights, towering overhead»
The fourth track, which was also a single leading up this album, «Terror Poem» is much alike One Eyed Wolf with its shorter length and intensity. Buried beneath all the vicious shouts, screams and chaos created by the instrumentation it also contains some of my favorite lyrics from the record that is also great for backing up their claim to be making songs for the hopeless romantic:
«I have been a god fearing man for almost all my life
But i have never once been afraid of him
I have been a love taking man almost my whole life
But i have only once
Truly loved»
The fifth and sixth track duo «Sweet Huntress» parts I and II showcases more musikal versatility and the former track begins with guitar playing and drumming not that different from something one would hear on a Mars Volta song, and backing vocals with the same haunting quality and style that helped making Alice in Chains the well known name they are today. I must also mention the strong Mike Patton esque vibe the vocals give off at the end of part I.
«Inside I will find blank blinded scripts of language disguised as clean nostalgic machines»
Part II of the «Sweet Huntress» duo is way more subdued, quiet and beautiful with layred intricate guitars and whispery soaring vocals and serves and a perfect ending for the duo.
The seventh track «Never Tamed» is much alike Charcoal Lions in its more mellow sound and where one can imagine they have taken their inspiration from. It is not hard to imagine why this also served as a single alongside Terror Poem #3 as they showcase two sides of the coin that is Jackal Twin; one vicious and unforgiving in its chaotic nature, while the other more warm and playful.
«Stars fell from their heights
Like carnival rides on fire,
Still you have spun across my mind»
The eight track «Television Dream» starts with the same mellow energy as the previous track but slowly builds up to more screams and mathcore goodness. The lyrics on this song is among the albums best.
«Structures built for your envy and given to our fathers to teach
Instead i created a candle that i dipped with my relief
Unresolved reliance hoping not to be irrelevant
Unspoken bonding coping with irreverence»
The ninth track «Ransacked Soul» is like the perfect mixture of everything that has made the other songs on the album thus far excellent and includes some guitar work that gives off some Daughters vibes as well.
«A ransacked soul overencouraged and under led
Catiously urged and overfed»
The tenth track «Spoken to Time» does the same as the opening track with a slow build up leading to an aggressive attack with its pounding drums, hard guitar rhytms and harsh vocals
«My childhood longing forced love premature
Now the lines are all cast but i am holding the lure»
The eleventh track «Noose Shaped Galaxy/Celestial Eyes» is the longest and most ambitious song on the album, clocking in at over 8 minutes in length. With slow passages, spoken words, clean vocals, harsh vocals and everything in between this is without doubt their crowning achievement and impressive in its scope. I keep mentioning the lyrics on this thing and how great they are and with this song it is no different.
«Swimming through dark rivers of fluorescent dreams,
I remember what you used to mean to all of me.
A curious question appears like a flashing bulb:
“Are universes simply twinkles in the eye of G-d?”
The twelwth and final track on the album «Barn Owl» is eery and creepy with its vocal delivery, experimentation from the drummer and more insane guitarplaying which brings it all together. As quickly and intense as it began, «Cuzco» comes to an end.
«I wish my thoughts were as neatly arranged
As the books that are on your shelf
That I'd come down from the horse
And off of the fence
All the ideas and hearts will align
Until the soul seeks recompense»
What Jackal Twins has pulled off here is making a little masterpiece and an early album of the year contender. They have also established themselves as a force to be reckoned with in the ranks of names like The Callous Daoboys If i was to recommend a track i could mention every single one, but for someone who hasnt warmed up to this style of music i would say «Charcoal Lions» or «Never Tamed» to be the safest tracks to check out.
