Song
Chichimecatl
Artist
Tzompantli
Tzompantli backstory
With their 2022 debut, Tlazcaltiliztli, Tzompantli journeyed deep into ancient Mesoamerica to create a primal, evocative record that crushed all before it.
Founded by Brian ‘Itztlakamayeh’ Ortiz of metallic hardcore crew Xibabla, the band took their place alongside Worm and Dream Unending as a fascinating new force in death doom, as they incorporated traditional instruments into their world-shaking invocations.
And now they’re back with a vastly expanded line-up, with members of Civerous, Dead Heat, Spinebreaker and Teeth joining Ortiz for Tzompantli’s sophomore opus, Beating The Drums Of Ancestral Force.
Chichimecatl is the second single to be taken from the album, following the release of Tlayohualli earlier this year.
In Brian Ortiz’s own words
“This song is about the Chichimeca, or as the Spanish would call them, ‘La Gran Chichimeca,’ which is an umbrella term for different tribes from the north.
“They were feared for their brutality and mastery in warfare. This is why they were never conquered by the Spanish and their allies.
“I wanted this song to reflect the power of the Chichimecas.”
The verdict on Chichimecatl
Chichimecatl surges with the power first unleashed on Tlazcaltiliztli. It’s mercilessly heavy, bearing riffs dug up from the underworld and a guitar tone from the centre of the Earth. But seriously, what did you expect from a band named after a rack of human skulls?
However, the LA band have evolved since their debut. More shades of darkness have appeared on Tzompantli’s bloody palette this time around: blackened fretwork spirals around the bone pulping riffs, covering Chichimecatl in an oppressive shroud, while the track’s second half feels like an apocalyptic storm breaking over a gore-soaked battlefield.
Like we said, it’s heavy.
What’s next for Tzompantli?
Beating The Drums Of Ancestral Force will be released on May 17 via 20 Buck Spin.