Progressive Metal Unit JACK THE JOKER Releases Debut Album 'The Devil to Pay in the Backlands' — Out Now via Frontiers Music SRL

Metal Coalition
Aug 22
2 min read

Today, progressive metallers JACK THE JOKER are pleased to announce the release of their debut album, ‘The Devil To Pay In The Backlands,’ out now via Frontiers Music Srl. To celebrate the occasion, JACK THE JOKER also shares the focus track from the record titled "XV." The new single comes accompanied by an official visualizer, available to view below.

On the new track "XV," the band shares:

“Inspired by the drought of 1915, immortalized by Rachel de Queiroz in her written work, this song turns the harsh and arid landscape into a metaphor of resilience. Amid the hunger and the cracked soil, rises a voice that refuses to say goodbye.”

JACK THE JOKER is a modern progressive metal band with a twist, hailing from Northeast Brazil. The band consists of Raphael Joer (vocals), Felipe Faco and Lucas Colares (guitars), Gustavo Pinheiro (bass), and Vicente Ferreira (drums).

What sets JACK THE JOKER apart is the ability to incorporate traditional cultural influences from their homeland, infusing elements of maracatu, forró, baião, and frevo into their sound. Their music draws inspiration from the iconic Brazilian novel of the same name, navigating the metaphysical backlands where humans clash with the raw forces of nature.

Their instrumental approach mirrors this thematic landscape, using regional rhythms as a foundation for dense, complex arrangements and layered compositions that fuse tradition with the intensity of progressive metal.

The band has already made a name for itself in the modern prog scene with their 2024 singles, generating buzz with their blend of cultural authenticity and musical innovation.

Produced by Adair Daufembach (Angra), 'The Devil To Pay In The Backlands' is an ambitious, genre-blending journey that will delight fans of technical metal, groove, and melody alike. JACK THE JOKER brings a fearless and refreshing perspective to the progressive metal genre.