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Zobrazují se příspěvky se štítkem#TZOMPANTLI. Zobrazit všechny příspěvky
Zobrazují se příspěvky se štítkem#TZOMPANTLI. Zobrazit všechny příspěvky

čtvrtek 19. května 2022

Recenze/review - TZOMPANTLI - Tlazcaltiliztli (2022)


TZOMPANTLI - Tlazcaltiliztli
CD 2022, 20 Buck Spin

for english please scroll down

Jednou všichni zemřeme a dají nás do hrobů. Možná budeme mít štěstí a jednou nás najdou naši potomci a budou přemýšlet, jaké jsme asi žili životy. Prokletí shnijí a rozpadnou se v prach, stejně jako všichni ostatní. Přesto si myslím, že budou všude otisknuty naše činy, myšlenky i ozvěny. Podobně nastavené to mám i s hudbou. Pro poslech si vybírám jen desky, které ve mě probudí nějaké emoce, které mě dokáží vytáhnout z dlouhé letargie, které se říká život.

Američtí death metalisté na své dlouhohrající stejnojmenné prvotině koketují i s doom metalem. Nahrávka je tím pádem záhadná, magická, jakoby zastřená. Připomíná starou tajemnou modlitbu, záhadu, kterou se snažíte vyřešit. Někde mezi melancholií, brutalitou, surovostí a starými náhrobky, se pohybují i TZOMPANTLI. A dělají to s elegancí a zkušenostmi. 


V tématech textů, které jsou velmi propracované a zajímavé, se kapela prochází na starodávných místech, užívá si tajné rituály. Jde až na dřeň, na prazáklad všeho zla, k jeho samotné podstatě. Musím také napsat, že se mi líbí jak zvuk, tak i obal. Vše sedí perfektně na svých místech. Songy jsou dlouhé, masivní, svým způsobem velmi bolestivé. Pomalu, ale s jistotou, sestupujeme spolu s kapelou do míst, kde jsou do stěn otištěny temné vzpomínky. Jako bychom znovu objevovali okultismus, temnou magii. Hnilobné procesy byly zahájeny již dávno a svět se zase tolik nezměnil. Zlo pořád čeká na nejvhodnější okamžik, aby zaútočilo. TZOMPANTLI jsou dobří skladatelé, jednotlivé motivy jsou velmi dobře zapamatovatelné. Není to jen schopnost napsat zajímavou pasáž, ale album na mě působí uceleně a kompaktně i jako celek. Zatemním celý svůj pokoj, zhasnu všechna světla a pak už se nechám jen unášet na zpěněných krvavých vlnách řeky tekoucí směrem do hlubokého podzemí. Netřeba kapelu k někomu přirovnávat, lepší je, když si poslechnete ukázky. Pánové se drží tradičních, klasických postupů, ale přidávají i kus svých myšlenek. Lidská historie nebyla vždy přívětivá a spoustu věcí ještě nechápeme. Kapela vám sice nedá odpovědi na nezodpovězené otázky, ale určitě vám pomůže pochopit tmu. Děs, beznaděj, šílenství. Nic jiného už neexistuje. Tahle deska se opravdu povedla. Doom death metalový přízrak z onoho světa!


Asphyx says:

One day we will all die and be put in our graves. Maybe we'll be lucky and one day our descendants will find us and wonder what kind of lives we might have lived. The damned will rot and crumble into dust, just like everyone else. Yet I think our actions, thoughts, and echoes will be imprinted everywhere. I have a similar setup with music. I only choose to listen to records that awaken some emotion in me, that can pull me out of the long lethargy called life.

The American death metallers also flirt with doom metal on their long-playing eponymous debut album. The record is thus mysterious, magical, as if veiled. It reminds me of an old mysterious prayer, a mystery you are trying to solve. Somewhere between melancholy, brutality, rawness, and old tombstones, TZOMPANTLI also moves. And they do it with elegance and experience.


In the themes of the lyrics, which are very elaborate and interesting, the band walks in ancient places, enjoying secret rituals. It goes to the bottom, to the root of all evil, to its very essence. I must also write that I like both the sound and the cover art. Everything fits perfectly in place. The songs are long, massive, and very painful in their own way. Slowly, but surely, we descend with the band into places where dark memories are imprinted on the walls. It's like rediscovering the occult, dark magic. The rotting processes were started long ago and the world hasn't changed that much. Evil is still waiting for the right moment to strike. TZOMPANTLI are good composers, the individual motifs are very memorable. It's not just the ability to write an interesting passage, but the album impresses me as a whole and compact. I darken my whole room, turn off all the lights and then just let myself drift on the foamy bloody waves of the river flowing towards the deep underground. No need to compare the band to anyone, it's better if you listen to the samples. The gentlemen stick to the traditional, classic methods, but add a piece of their own ideas. Human history hasn't always been kind and there are many things we still don't understand. While the band won't give you answers to unanswered questions, it will certainly help you understand the darkness. Terror, despair, madness. There is nothing else. This record is really good. A doom death metal phantom from the other world!


TRACKLIST
1. Yaohuehuetl
2. Tlatzintilli
3. Tlazcaltiliztli
4. Eltequi
5. Ohtlatocopailcahualuztli
6. Tlamanalli
7. Yaotiacahuanetzli

LINE-UP
Huey Itztekwanotl o))) - Vocals / Guitars
G-Bone - Bass
Erol Ulug - Drums

Drums on “Eltequi” performed by Huey Itztekwanotl o)))

Huehuetl drum circle, teponaztli drum, death whistles, shells and shakers were performed by Mateotl Gonzalez, G-bone & Huey Itztekwanotl o)))


A few questions - interview with death metal band from United States - TZOMPANTLI.

A few questions - interview with death metal band from United States - TZOMPANTLI.

Ave, can you introduce your band to our readers? – When was it founded and what style of music do you play etc.?

I’m Huey Itztekwanotl, I play in Tzompantli. We started in 2019 and play indigenous death doom. We incorporate a lot of indigenous folk instruments along with a heavy, punishing but spiritual sound.

Where and under what conditions were you recording the new album? Who was in charge of sound, production and mastering?

We recorded ‘Tlazcaltiliztli’ with my good friend Erol Ulug at Bright Lights Studios, here in California. He also did session drums for the album and was in charge of the sound and engineering. He and I both co-produced the album.


How many copies were released and which medium was used for this new edition (CD, digital, vinyl, cassette)?

I do not know how many copies are pressed up, but it is being released on cassette, CD, digital and vinyl via 20 Buck Spin.

Who is the author of the lyrics and how were they created and about what do the lyrics deal with?

I wrote all the lyrics except on Eltequi, I got them from a Mexica chant called “Song of Huitzilopochtli '' in the Florentine Codex. The lyrics mainly have a theme of ritual sacrifice and references to history of the Mexica people or Aztecs as most people know them.

Who created the logo of the band, and who took care of the graphics and the website? What about you and social networks? Do you consider these things important?

Alex Herrera did the logo. The cover art was done by Andi at AVS Ravenheart and the album layout was done by Dan Fried. We don't have a website other than our socials and bandcamp that I manage. I do think that social networks are important for bands to network and share their news.


Which label did you choose for releasing your album and why this label? Are you satisfied by how your label represents you and takés care about you?

20 Buck Spin is the label that I asked and they said yes to putting out the album. I am very satisfied with how the release has been handled. They have been good to us.

Which bands do you idolise and where do you get your inspiration?

There are so many but for this project, I drew inspiration from Disembowelment, Mortician, Morbid Angel, Evoken, Mournful Congregation and more. Most of my inspiration I got for this record was reading books about my culture and ancestors as well as playing with the native instruments.


Did you send your record to some Labels - which are the labels? How was the response?

I only sent it to 20 Buck Spin and they responded very quickly. So I didn't need to send it anywhere else.

How many gigs have you played? Which type of gigs do you prefer, whether it's (clubs or festivals) and which of your performances would you consider as the best?

I’ve played many gigs with my other bands but none with Tzompantli yet. I love playing clubs though. They are always way more intimate and fun.

What about your plans for the future? What do you want to achieve with the band?

I don’t have any plans. All I want is to continue to write music that I enjoy and hopefully people will continue to enjoy and support as well.

How and where can your fans contact you? Can you provide some contact information?

Hit up my socials (twitter & instagram) @tzompantlidoom

Thanx for the interview.

You’re welcome! Thank you for having me!


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