This album by Jackal Twins, Cuzco, caught our attention immediately, and from the first moment, it becomes clear: this is a masterclass in both creativity and controlled chaos. It’s a ferociously compelling listen—rich with layered intricacy and raw emotional drive—underscoring the band’s undeniable musicianship and vision. We’ve picked out a few standout tracks, but in truth, Cuzco is best consumed as a whole, immersive body of work that fully delivers on the band’s intent and ambition.
Starting with the explosive opener, “Harbor Delirium”, we were met with a slow-building atmosphere that unfolds like a waking dream—drifting, ghostly textures giving way to sharp, sudden bursts of sonic violence. The track quickly erupts into jagged thrash and furious instrumentation, only to withdraw and explode again with unpredictable rhythm. It’s absolutely exhilarating. Jackal Twins have created one of the most electrifying introductions to an album we’ve encountered in recent memory. What also makes it uniquely effective is the sheer command of sound—every instrument is crystal clear amidst the mayhem. The guitar work is virtuosic, a shredded assault of scales and textures; the drumming, pure combustion with each hit landing like a punch to the chest. Vocals tear through the mix with a visceral edge, guttural and razor-sharp. The entire track thrashes between precision and mania, evoking a sense of pure delirium, almost as if the song itself is undergoing a psychological breakdown. It’s chaotic, controlled, and impossibly tight. This is how you make an entrance.
Following that auditory blitz, “Charcoal Lions” reveals a contrasting side of the band’s dynamic palette. The track opens with an off-kilter gentleness—a slightly haunting, piano-led motif paired with vocals that soften the mood into something nearly meditative. But don’t be fooled. Underneath the calm is an undercurrent of volatility, and before long, the familiar stop-start aggression returns with mathcore precision. The arrangement is dense yet fluid, hinting at jazz sensibilities and orchestral awareness, yet always veering into their signature storm of sound. This juxtaposition shows their technical prowess—instrumentally and vocally—and the seamless fusion of delicate restraint with violent outbursts. It’s proof that Jackal Twins don’t just flirt with genre-bending—they obliterate the walls entirely. The collective vocal chants are mesmerizing, almost ritualistic, and the intricate transitions between instrumental clarity and frenzied chaos are stunning in their control. Once again, they master the storm.
Later in the journey, we arrived at “Sweet Huntress (Part II)”—and what a welcome shift in tone. The lush harmonies that float throughout this piece are intoxicating, carrying the listener like a high-speed vessel skimming across ocean waves. The percussion is lighter here, almost dancing, offering a gentler propulsion that pairs beautifully with the soaring vocal layering. There’s something distinctly Floydian about its construction—dreamy, meandering, and cinematic—but with a more modern, technical backbone. The performance here is impressively nuanced. There’s emotional clarity in every phrase, and the band’s ability to infuse beauty into chaos becomes profoundly apparent. It’s a softer moment, but no less powerful—proof that technicality can be elegant.
To close out our highlights, we dove into “Ransacked Soul”, and from the first unholy shriek, we knew we were back in the depths of Jackal Twins’ darker instincts. The vocal delivery here is demonic—unfiltered and animalistic—evoking a primal fear that commands attention. The bass is monstrous, sitting fat and distorted in the front of the mix, anchoring the entire track with thunderous presence. What follows is an absolute demolition derby of sound: drums slicing through the low end, guitars shrieking with grim determination, and vocals brawling through it all like a drunken specter in a haunted saloon. It’s as if chaos is a character in the song, wreaking havoc at every turn. This track is for the heavy heads—for those who want to taste the teeth of metal and feel the bruises afterward.
Through Cuzco, Jackal Twins have crafted an album that doesn’t just defy genre—it redefines their relationship entirely. From jazz-inspired structures to cataclysmic thrash breakdowns, each track is both calculated and cathartic. It’s a journey through sonic extremes held together by their impeccable musicianship and boundless ambition. If this debut is any indication, Jackal Twins are not just experimenting—they’re rewriting the language of experimental heavy music.
We can’t recommend this record enough. Listen loud, and listen all the way through.
Jackal Twins’ “Harbor Delirium” is a jaw-dropping, genre-smashing triumph—an electrifying masterwork of sonic innovation, technical brilliance, and emotional ferocity that boldly announces their arrival as one of the most visionary and exhilarating bands in heavy music today.
Jackal Twins emerged from the underground with the kind of origin story that explains the urgency and rawness of their debut LP, Cuzco. Formed in 2017 by longtime friends Ben Trussell (drums/vocals) and Mike Palumbo (guitar/vocals), the band began as an outlet for the two to channel their most chaotic musical ideas into a single, focused vision. That chemistry proved immediately potent; they quickly wrote the bulk of the album in just a few months, exploring extremes in sound and emotion with little restraint. In 2019, Dante Lamusta joined on bass, injecting the trio with a heavy low-end punch that helped sculpt the immersive, often overwhelming depth of their sonic identity.
Cuzco was recorded with engineering by Kurt Ballou at GodCity Studios and mastered by Carl Saff of Saff Mastering, known for his work with noise-heavy acts like KEN mode. But the process wasn’t smooth—initially planned as a two-week recording sprint, the sessions stretched to 18 days just to complete the instrumentals. With no label support and limited time or funds, Ben and Mike took the vocal production into their own hands, tracking inside two improvised soundproofed closets across countless weekends. Despite the constraints, the result is a meticulously constructed work of chaos—equal parts personal and primal.
Their sound isn’t easily summarized: an alchemical blend of punk, metalcore, post-rock, noise, jazz, funk, and chaotic hardcore. The vocals oscillate between guttural growls and unhinged screams to ethereal harmonies and emotionally wrought singing, with both Ben and Mike contributing distinct vocal colors to the mix. Their lyrics deal in surrealism, existential reflection, and emotionally complex narratives—twisting together themes of longing, disillusionment, and feverish romance.
In their own words, “psychedelic noisy tunes for the hopeless romantic.” While each track on Cuzco stands with its own identity, the band insists the album is meant to be consumed as a whole—an experience rather than a playlist. And with ambitions to press vinyl and hit the stage, Jackal Twins are clearly just getting started.
You can find this release on any major platform, make sure to playlist, stream and share “Harbor Delirium” by Jackal Twins.
