The title translates as “Sorcerer’s Guide” and amid grandiose claims and an explanation that this album revolves around the histories of indigenous pre-colonial life in Mesoamerica, I learnt that black and death metal-influenced work is about war, sacrifice and ritual.

Amid the sound of howling wolves and traditional pipes, the dirtiest, rawest black metal erupts. This really is old school, free of the trappings of excessive production and aided by filthy growls. Game on. More mayhem is unleashed on the hammering chaos of “Ixtlahuacán de los Brujos”, another breath of rancid air. If Ixtlahuac like anybody or anything, they don’t show it. The carnage and battery continue until it stops, and the sinister and distorted guitar quiverings of “Guía Mistico: Xoloitzcuintle” are upon us. In it I heard the funeral march. The sombre tone is interrupted by a furious drum and guitar pelt. The drum is like 1990s Norway in a black metal sense but the fire is burning in a different place. The growler croaks, and “Nahualloti (Magia) Negra” gets under way in speedy and punkish fashion, but with the guitar snaking its way round the leaden beat. A dark passage in the final part is the highlight. The flute sounds like bird song but this is a sinister place. Wolves howl once more. “Ritual de Fuego Nuevo” (New Fire Ritual) is best described as dirty black doom and possibly the least inventive track of this dark and atmospheric work. Again, the sound of a funeral is in the air. And that is it, save a mystical instrumental outro and two bonus tracks. The cover of Engendro Malévolo’s “Rito Ceremonial en la Zona va” is very much in keeping with what went before – dirty, black, pounding and raw. The Hispanic theme is reinforced by the spoken word. The other bonus “Coatlicue Nunca Muere” is another impressive ode to death. Both bonus tracks belong here.

This really is something different. “Teyacaniltizli Nahualli” is interesting and unusual, and whilst raw in certain aspects of production, it is rich and sophisticated in concept, conjuring up mystical images of dark chasms and deeds.

(8.5/10 Andrew Doherty)

http://nuclearwarnowproductions.bandcamp.com/album/teyacanilitztli-nahualli