EP REVIEW: Juracan – The Arusha Accord

For many years there has been a deafening silence in the tech metal ranks left by UK trailblazers THE ARUSHA ACCORD. They made their long awaited return at 2017’s edition of UK Tech-Fest to a rapturous applause from all in attendance and September 28th will see their much anticipated release of new music in the form of five track EP Juracan. Will they pick up where they left off?

As the appropriately titled Intro indicates by the pouring rain there is a storm heading your way. The relaxing piano segment however doesn’t quite prepare you for the greeting of ferocious screams which welcome the arrival of Blackened Heart. The mathcore lunacy which served THE ARUSHA ACCORD so well in previous years makes a searing return. The familiar frenetic pacing, unrelenting energy and borderline chaos takes hold as melodic undertones begin to seep in as the track progresses. The interlude midway serves as a welcome opportunity to come up for air amidst the havoc.

Vultures carries on where its predecessor left off with a swift delivery of intricate riffing and pulsating drum arrangements. The soaring clean vocals bring a certain level of finesse to the elaborate frenzy. The Road is where the creativity begins to increase and THE ARUSHA ACCORD step out of their anarchic comfort zone. Jabbing metallic riffs commence which is sequentially built upon with progressive rock vibes that bears a slight hint of TOOL influence. The melody flows seamlessly throughout in a soothing manner which transitions into the penultimate track Beneath The Dule Tree. Echoing djent-like experimentation filters into the arrangement as dynamic, punchy lead work comes to the forefront. This track isn’t as chaotic as what has come before but is just as effective. Just as you are begin to let the tranquillity whisk you away The Dark Pane ushers in the concluding chapter of Juracan. The quirky, intricate riff work ups the intensity once more as powerful vocal transitions keep the track intriguing and varied. An eerie interlude creates a peculiar atmosphere before the pace begins to escalate once more into a gloriously epic crescendo leaving an emphatic feeling of euphoria to close.

One thing has been made clear with this release, this is not THE ARUSHA ACCORD you have come to know and love. This is version 2.0, a totally different animal which is even stronger than ever before. Some of the complexities from their previous material that brought them so much notoriety remain but the gloves are well and truly off with Juracan. This material traverses so many styles and genres in such a short timespan and it is guaranteed to leave many a jaw grazing the floor. Not a single step has been lost and the lengthy spell away has evidently worked wonders as THE ARUSHA ACCORD are back with an ear splitting bang.

Rating: 9/10

Juracan is due for release on September 28th via self-release.

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