• 1
• 2
• 3
• 4
• 5

Cosmic Jaguar have kept themselves busy since their inception, already releasing their second album barely a year after their first and half as long since their EP The Order of Jaguar Knights. That kind of productivity either means expert dedication to your craft or sloppily churning out music just because you can, but anyone familiar with the band's previous work and their time in Bestial Invasion know damn well this band is in the former camp, and El era del jaguar does nothing to disprove that.

This time, they've recruited a roster of musicians to help spin their violent tales of Aztec mythos (Marc Grewe of ex Morgoth, Mark Biefermann of Blind Illusion, Tommy Talamanca of Sadist, etc.), and it shows just how varied and interesting this album is compared to last time. Make no mistake, main man Sergio Lunático is still deeply indebted to the likes of Atheist, Cynic, and Pestilence, but here he has made a more unique sound through some odd, almost avant-garde songwriting decisions that really highlight just how technical and tight the band is. Of special note is Sergio's bass work, which just keeps getting better and is quickly becoming Ukraine's own Steve DiGiorgio in my book, which is evident thanks to how damn upfront it is.

I was certain this project would grow into something special, and I'm happy to say that El era del jaguar is a big, bloodied step in that direction. Anyone with a love of more technical death/thrash will see this as an album to treasure.