Cosmic Jaguar – El Era del Jaguar

An album like this usually goes straight to the True Kvlt section. It came late, with no promo and little clout (plus the title is missing an accent mark in Él, that’s how pedantic we can be at MER). However, I was also puzzled by how strange all its elements were. We’re talking about a Tech Death mixed with Aztec Folk Metal band, from Ukraine, with lyrics in English and Spanish. It can’t get weirder than this. I had to listen to it to believe it. Could Cosmic Jaguar‘s El Era del Jaguar join our small group of year-end deep underground revelations?

Era is wild! I was expecting some folk gimmicky stuff, but this was a strange mix between the madness of Atheist and the subtle use of folk elements of bands like Blackbraid. There’s no Black Metal here, but the idea that an album can be culturally thematic instead of just having a goofy version of a folk melody is alive here. Yet Era is extremely technical and quirky in its nature. We travel to a mysterious time of warriors and conquest in a way that I’ve never heard before. Not to mention that Cosmic Jaguar throws the kitchen sink at us. It really has a ton of friends, as rarely have I seen an album with so many collaborations from all walks of life. The power of friendship shines through!

All the instruments are working with mind-melting ideas. You have guitar sections that reminded me of Alkaloid‘s best work, bass sections clearly inspired by Sadist, thrashy vocals, and your expected subtle folk elements (cool flute work and gentle vocals here and there to build up the atmosphere). Right, I don’t want to forget the drums that do more than just take a beating—they have that jazzy groove many of us love! I usually don’t build this paragraph in such a descriptive way, but everyone in Cosmic Jaguar deserves some praise for their work. I didn’t know so much technical prowess was out there being ignored. That has to change!

Now, don’t think by any means I’m saying this album is perfect. Era has some setbacks that will become evident for you. First, the production is muddy and rough; it’s not your average Tech Death pretty mix, it sounds rough like ’90s Death Metal (or well, not that horrible, but close). Also, remember when I said I believed there were typos in the title? Well, there are some spoken and sung Spanish sections that are fun for atmosphere building but do have a heavy foreign accent. I think it’s mean to pick on people’s accents. However, it was hard to understand the words sometimes, so it can be an issue. But if you don’t speak Spanish, I don’t see how you’d care about this point.

I expected next to nothing from this release; it came with neither shame nor glory. I’m so surprised that every bizarre and quirky element clicked somehow. This shouldn’t happen, which is why Cosmic Jaguar is a band to check out. It’s time for Era to get the respect it deserves! Also, can we just admire that this thing was recorded in Zaporizhzhia? In a freaking war zone! What can be more convincing for you than Metal created in some of the most unwelcoming conditions? You might love or hate it, but you can’t ignore it!

Label: Soman Records

Release date: 29 May, 2024

Website: https://www.facebook.com/cosmicjaguarthrash

Country: Ukraine

Score: The avenged spirit of the Aztecs, or 4.0/5.0!