The CHADHEL/JACK split has literally been sitting on my shelf since its release, and today I decided to finally write a review, come what may.
When two brutal grindcore bands join forces, the result is pure chaos with a wall of sound that leaves no room for respite. That’s exactly what the split album between Canada’s CHADHEL and Hungary’s JACK delivers. Together, they’ve managed to create a perfect fusion of two different but complementary grindcore schools.
CHADHEL kicks off the album with an explosive series of tracks that are perfectly synchronized into one cohesive unit. Their grindcore is brutal and direct, with relentless blast beats and piercing vocals. I don’t like comparing anyone’s work to something I’ve heard before or to something it reminds me of, as it’s unfair to both sides. The production is raw, with a clean drum sound and guitar without any overdone effects, which adds an extra layer of aggression to the songs. My favorites: “Bedsores and Rabid Dogs” and “Leviticus Contradiction.” I was a bit confused by the last track, which starts with a solo and is also the slowest. I thought I had accidentally played something else. 🙂
On the other side, JACK brings their own version of chaos. Right out of the gate, with 101% energy. Their songs are short, with occasional forays into d-beat territory; the drummer simply pounds away relentlessly on every track. JACK are masters at creating compact but intense musical explosions that last barely a minute, a minute and a half. Their contribution to the split maintains an uncompromising approach, with some surprising changes in rhythm and song structure, which adds dynamism and keeps the listener’s attention. My favorites: “Öngyilkos faj” (I’ve always loved those cymbal-intros) and “Stigma” (for the same reason, hahaha). The last track is a remix by Serbian DJ Shpira of the song “Járulékos veszteség,” which originally appeared on the “Lobotómia” release from 2022.
What makes this split special is the fact that both bands manage to stay true to their sound. You won’t even notice that you’ve already listened to it several times in a row because everything is right where it should be, exactly how a split should sound—raw, intense, and above all, unforgettable. Literally.
Listen to this great split below:
