Quite the mob here with no less than ten members taking up arms around who I assume to be Emperor in chief Bigg o))) aka Brian “Itztlakamayeh” Ortiz, also noticeably of Xibalba. The Californian based crew obviously take inspiration from ancient Aztec culture and apart from the expected also come armed with many traditional instruments such as Animal flute, Huehuetl, Teponaztli, Ehecachichtli, Shells & Shakers. We also have no less than five voices adding to the chanting cacophony of warfare on display which is represented by a doom-death musical orientation. Special mention should go to the varied percussionists including Erol Ulug who apparently is a new member to the group and drives the backbone of the release in time to the still pumping heart ripped from the sacrificial victims of their enemies and bouncing off the skulls displayed on their racks. This is the second album following on from ritual ceremony Tlazcaltiliztli of 2022.

Deathly bombast, a shrill pipe call and hoary gang chants thump away the second play is pressed before opener ‘Tetzahuitl’ churns and stomps away with a slower crushing demeanour. The death and doom are perfectly counterpoised and there are no shortage of driving flourishes and slow rugged guitar grooves on offer over the album’s seven numbers. Main vocals are ursine bellows which are angry growled out and sound like a call to war as dark clouds gather and opposing forces line-up to attack. One hopes it’s not those pesky Predators who came from the skies and tore this ancient empire asunder! If you are looking for the real history here however you can easily find meaning of track titles such as Tlayohualli (Darkness Of The Night) and the fate of their victims who are “Dragged into the caves Cut out their hearts.”

Occasional ambient sounds such as bird-call signals, running water, thunder etc are utilised along with acoustic parts on songs such as ‘Tlaloc Icuic’ adding to the atmospheric drama and taking you to another world. At other times these accoutrements are largely left alone so a track can have you banging head along to a sound akin to “Steel and bone crushed by war clubs and rocks.” There are also some occasional gothic-laced sounding guitar parts on songs such as ‘Otlica Mictlan’ which oddly bring to mind funeral doom and the likes of nautically inclined artists like Ahab. Death is however never far away and as these feathered serpents batter away one can only wonder just what a feast their live shows must be. Complete with an epic near ten-minute funeral lament ‘Icnocuicatl’ at conclusion this is a pretty varied album that should appeal to both death-doom devotees and history buffs due to its well-researched narrative, which obviously comes straight from the very heart. Mexico Barbaro!

(8/10 Pete Woods)

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https://20buckspin.bandcamp.com/album/beating-the-drums-of-ancestral-force