Mexican Melodic Heavy and Speed Metal band JET JAGUAR are back with a vengeance. Their second studio album “Severance” is one to savour. The band have ben making this kind of music for some 11 years, and have the combination of all the elements that complete their sound in the bag. Before now they released a demo (“Call Of The Fight”) in 2014, an EP (“Zero Hour”) in 2016 and their debut album (“Endless Nights”) in 2020. Now, another five years on, they surprise us with “Severance”. And oi have to say, that although I hadn’t heard their music before, I was aware of their existence, as some friends of mine pointed the band out to me as being rather interesting. it somehow just got lost in the big pile of bands that I could like due to a lack of time trying them out. That’s how much energy and effort I put into doing right by musicians when reviewing for METAL TEMPLE. I simply forget to listen to other music.

Now that I am about to review “Severance”, it gave me the opportunity to have a few good listens, and I have to say that what JET JAGUAR is bringing to me is a surprise of sorts. While the songs are clearly the most important part of the process when they write their music, they also never forget to have fun while doing so. That makes that especially guitarist Ariyuki Saddler gets the chance to demonstrate his techniques. He can play soberly, but he can also shred like Eddie van Halen or Yngwie Malmsteen when it is appropriate. Plus the fact that some of the atmosphere and rhythms of what the band is playing has a bit of a Glam Metal undertone, makes for very pleasant and uplifting  enjoyment.

As “Severance” is over 47 minutes in playing time, it is not too long to become boring or complacent, but also not too short that you are wondering why you aren’t; being treated to more songs by JET JAGUAR. But then again, the last two songs on the album are bonus tracks. The difference is staggering between the two. While I feel that “Call Of The Fight” really has a right to be on “Severance”, the same can’t be said for “Hunter”.  In quality it easily is the least song on the album, and as a closer it lets the pleasure and euphoria that you had while hearing the rest just fade away. Such a pity.