From Aztecan folk metal fusion of Cemican to Ladrones‘ Latin hip hop heaviness, the modern metal music landscape is undeniably intertwined with the sounds and culture of Mexico. And while the aforementioned bands are must-listens and the main acts that come to mind personally regarding Mexican metal, it’s sometimes more important to hear from an actual head in the scene.
Angel approached me while I was setting up to film some footage on a trip to Ensenada – he was conducting a tour of the area, but paused to excitedly comment on my Blood Incantation shirt. He mentioned the growing scene here in this city, beyond ready to share his knowledge and opinions of the best bands in the Ensenada and other local metal scenes. Thank you, Angel – here’s some of his solid recommendations…
Mutant Beans
Freshly off the Warped Tour stage, the Ensenada nü-funk metalcore four-piece truly have their own distinct sound, yet must also acknowledge the Rage Against the Machine influence. “Don Veneno” particularly sounds nostalgic, while exceptionally fresh, like an Incubus-meets-Drain conjoined twin. With Irving Noriega and Kbto El Mutante’s dual vocals, this band is one hit away from popping off internationally in a big fucking way. Keep that pissed-off no-boundaries energy going, Mutant Beans.
Dies in the Sky
Pushing extremely solid deathcore in Rincón de Romos – a town in the center of Mexico, Dies in the Sky have been refining their stabbing sound for over a decade. Their Revelations EP from last year is as dramatically brutal as Whitechapel or Meshuggah. These guys need to get picked up on a North American or European tour; their live sound easily would steal the show from Chelsea Grin, Angelmaker, Humanity’s Last Breath, you name it.
Cuervo Petrushka
Fuzzy, open-minded, and psychedelic, Cuervo Petrushka heats the entire room. The Ensenada-based group admits a chain of lineup changes, but with that comes a god damn variety. Whether you’re in a Black Sabbath and Pink Floyd blissout mood or craving a King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard type vibe, the debut We Don’t Know Where We’re Going album has you fully covered for esoteric concepts, symoblism, mosters, prog, doom, jazz, stoner rock, and heavy metal.
Ancient Species
For those who like their coffee black, and their black metal raw, Ancient Species delve into the lore of alien and Sumerian mythology. From Tijuana, their crushing potential and deathgrip breakdowns have me begging for them to emerge from hiatus immediately. If you get down with the spectrum of Mayhem to Lorna Shore and Carnifex, please support this band.
Tyrian
Bathed in macabre and mystery, this blackened death metal coven resides in Ensenada. Finding shared territory with Behemoth and Gojira, Tyrian are impeccably intense, tight and well-produced. The riffs on “Inner God” and “The Beholder” are larger than life – I’d wait outside in the rain to witness these performed live. Worship Tyrian.