aaamusic | On 18, Dec 2011

Northern Irish band Jackalfeud’s new EP Structures is deliberately disturbing. Starting from the cover art, the titles, everything says we are tough. It is consistently loud and perpetually ear-piercing. What is confusing is that its attempts at being extreme and hard and violent are watered down, seeing the way the choruses invariably turn into melodic pastiches more Paramore than Queens of The Stone Age. The vocals are also a middle-way, as they’re never full-on growl but also never fully embrace melody. They lack boldness. Opener No Reason, Just Fire is a perfect example of this dynamic, in the way it hits you at the beginning before gradually becoming… tame. If You Believe This is more convincing, in that it traces a rather personal way out of the aforementioned influences. Here the aggression isn’t lost, and its undeniable catchiness doesn’t seem contradictory. It’s a difficult balance to achieve, but they get it right. Perhaps this, along with the closing tracks (Beast!, Structures) show Jackalfeud’s true identity best, and their undeniable potential truly comes forward.

 

Chiara Amoretti