Representing their roots, Mexican folk metal pioneers Cemican are injecting death-thrash with Aztec and Maya culture. From painted faces to pre-hispanic instrumentation, the group consists of Tlipoca, Tecuhtli, Ocelotl, Itzcoatl, Yei Tochtli, Mazatecpatl, and Xaman-Ek.
Back in 2019, they released their opus magnum so far – In Ohtli Teoyohtica In Miquiztli, but are now preparing the follow-up to drop this year via M-Theory Audio. With Nahuatl language growling off the lips of frontman Tecuhtli, new single “Taan ti le Xibalbá” speaks on the Mayan god of death called Ah-Puch, “who goes up to Earth to visit the sick, or the miserable, who are going to die in order to guide them to Xibalba, or the Underworld, in which they are eternally condemned and lamenting forever in the place of the fleshless.”
Drawing comparisons to The Hu or Heilung, and even Slipknot, the Guadalajara seven-piece’s indigenous identity is both genuine, heavy, and threatening on “Taan ti le Xibalbá.” If you’re hoping to experience Aztec metal live in-the-flesh, it’s time to buy plane tickets to Bogota for the Colombian festival Rock Al Parque featuring Comeback Kid, Belphegor, Descates a Kant, Mawiza, and more on June 21 – 23rd. Or if Spain is closer, Cemican will also be at Leyendas Del Rock Festival with Heilung, Hatebreed, Fear Factory, Suffocation, Hanabie, Crystal Lake, Kublai Khan, Kanonenfieber, Thrown, etc. on August 6 – 9th.