Cry of the Jackal

*Written for the 10th MA Virgin Reviews Challenge

Jackal formed part of the fabric of the ever important Dutch heavy metal scene of the 1980s along with other standouts like Picture, Vault, Black Knight etc. Though they had to endure sharing their name with the perhaps equally badass Jackal from Denmark (sharing staff from Mercyful Fate). The Dutch Jackal was a hardworking band who recorded various demos and didn’t out a full length until the rather complex and ambitious Cry of the Jackal in 1989. What’s on offer on this LP is the culmination of several years of rehearsal and sound development – the sound is refined, ideas are rife, guitar tones are great, and the recording quality sounds nice and spacey. With the mixture of these attributes (though differing somewhat in musical direction), Jackal reminds me somewhat of fellow countrymen Exises, and probably shared about the same level of success.

This Jackal offers up a smooth, magisterial effort with their debut – an ambitious collection of songs which makes use of slightly complex songwriting, packed with plenty of studio magic and additional touches, much like Exises with theirs. ‘Nightmare’ perhaps typifies this complex approach – comparable to Queensryche in sound, the emotive vocals, distinct song passages, additional keys, exceptionally cutting guitars, and solemn mood combine to form a very memorable, moody, and classy slower number. With the title track, pace picks up a bit, riffs on offer sound very much like ‘Seventh Son’ era Maiden,. With the complex effects and production to match. We really get a show of the complex guitars in this epic. Great riffs are found throughout – and guitar tones are great. Give the opener ‘Pain In The Ass’ a listen for the quality, harder hitting, and guitar prowess-laden side of the band. Much in the same vein is ‘Pharoah’, with ‘The Law’ offering some very Maidenish riffs for sure.

Altogether, the debut effort from the newly reformed Jackal is an impressive, moody piece of progressive metal. Surprisingly unique and complex, it reminds one of acts such as Queensryche, Exises, M.A.R.S., Letter X, Jester’s March, and ‘Somewhere in Time/Seventh Son’ era Maiden. This one might be a bit of a ‘grower’ for many people – with it’s slower, synth laden, smoother sound, but remember it does offer that true metal punch at some stages (particularly the opener – which really kicks some ass). I commend the band for the unique, fervently ardent approach to their full length; ambitious for sure, and something different certainly – and definitely displaying some real talent – this band really reminds me of Exises. Well worth checking out

-DeathRiderDoom