Jackal Twins are not here to play it safe. Their debut album, Cuzco, set for release on March 7, 2025, is a fearless deep dive into uncharted musical waters, blending chaotic hardcore, psychedelic noise, post-rock, and feral storytelling into an album that defies easy categorization. Engineered by the legendary Kurt Ballou of GodCity Studios (best known for his work with Converge) and mastered by Carl Saff (who has worked on recent KEN mode albums), Cuzco is an album forged in intensity, ambition, and raw, unfiltered passion.
The album’s journey began in 2017 when drummer/vocalist Ben Trussell and guitarist/vocalist Mike Palumbo formed Jackal Twins as an outlet to explore their most aggressive and emotionally charged ideas. What started as jam sessions between two friends quickly spiraled into a full-length album bursting with energy and a sound that refuses to be boxed in. The addition of bassist Dante Lamusta in 2019 added the final layer of depth, giving their already immersive sound a rumbling low-end foundation.
But Cuzco didn’t come easy. Originally planned as a two-week recording session, the album stretched across 18 grueling days just to complete the instrumentals. With no label backing and a DIY ethos, Ben and Mike took it upon themselves to record the vocals in makeshift, self-soundproofed closets, pouring over every detail for months to get it right. The album was remixed multiple times before finally being sent off to Carl Saff for mastering, where it reached its final form. The result? A record that captures the intensity of its creation—unfiltered, electrifying, and meticulously crafted.
The singles leading up to the album, including “Charcoal Lions” (released on January 10, 2025), have already set the tone for Cuzco. With three more singles dropping before the full album release, fans are getting a glimpse into the unpredictable sonic universe Jackal Twins have built.
The album’s tracklist reads like a fever dream—titles like Harbor Delirium, Terror Poem #3, Never Tamed, and Noose Shaped Galaxy / Celestial Eyes hint at the unrestrained creativity at play. The band describes their music as “psychedelic noisy tunes for the hopeless romantic,” weaving together surreal imagery, furious storytelling, disillusionment, and dark romance into a cinematic listening experience.
From start to finish, Cuzco is an album that demands to be played as a whole. Every song is a piece of a larger sonic puzzle. The vocal interplay between Trussell and Palumbo is staggering—shifting between layered harmonies, guttural growls, rasping screams, and moments of near-whispered intimacy. The music itself is as unpredictable as their vocal delivery. One moment, you’re floating in a dreamy post-rock haze; the next, you’re being thrown into a storm of mathcore chaos and relentless percussion.
Jackal Twins draw influence from a broad spectrum of artists. While longtime inspirations like Deftones, Radiohead, and Queens of the Stone Age remain embedded in their DNA, Cuzco also nods to the recent shoegaze revival and the angular, moody post-punk of early 2000s New York, channeling echoes of Interpol, The Killers, and The Strokes. The result is a sound that feels both nostalgic and entirely new—a volatile collision of the past, present, and future of alternative music.
Beyond the music, Jackal Twins are a band fueled by relentless drive. Without label support, they’ve independently crafted an album that stands toe-to-toe with some of the biggest names in the underground scene. Now, they’re looking to take it even further—raising funds to press Cuzco on vinyl, take it on the road, and bring their chaotic vision to life on stage.
Jackal Twins are more than just a band—they’re a movement. They embody the grit, the passion, and the unrelenting creativity that defines independent music. With Cuzco, they’re kicking down the door and making damn sure they’re heard.
