A Tzompantli, in bygone days, was a rack used to display human skulls, often of enemies or sacrifices, in several Mesoamerican civilizations. In 2022, Tzompantli is a beyond crushing Death Doom war march built on a bedrock of Native / Indigenous themes, rituals and history, illuminating the splendor, brutality and despair within.
Nearly three years after the band’s self-released EP, Tzompantli’s debut full length presents the first smoke-conjured specter to manifest materially. ‘Tlazcaltiliztli’, a ritual ceremony that translates to; ‘nourishing the fire and sun with blood’, is imbued with the spirit of Native inspiration that dwells deep within the heart and soul of the project and is skillfully weaved into a traditional bludgeoning framework of spine-severing savagery and melancholic anguish. On the ritualistic ‘Eltequi’ (to cut the chest open and extract the heart as an offering) the band’s unification of native / folk instrumentation and heaviness becomes one in the same, opening vast new horizons for where this sound can go.
‘Tlazcaltiliztli’ is dedicated, and an offering, to the indigenous peoples, nations & tribes of the North, South, East & West of the American continents. It marks a fearsome and spirited new vision for the Death Metal underground.
released May 6, 2022
All music and words by Huey Itztekwanotl o)))
Huey Itztekwanotl o))) - Vocals / Guitars
G-Bone - Bass
Erol Ulug - Session 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)))
Tlazcaltiliztli was produced by Erol Ulug and Huey Itztekwanotl o))) & recorded, mixed & mastered by Erol Ulug at Bright Light Studios
Cover art by Andi from AVS Ravenheart
Layout by Dan Fried