Tzompantli - Beating the Drums of Ancestral Force

Angry Metal Guy

Art is culture. Culture needs representation. These two things often align with metal in ways we don’t realize, whether it’s the new death metal band that wants to play old-school death metal to continue to push for the representation of simpler times in death metal, or the cinephile who longs to see their niche amongst the swarms of various niche interest metal bands out there. Everyone wants to be seen and accepted for who they are, and the majesty of this metal realm we inhabit is such that artists can do just that. In the case of Tzompantli and their sophomore release Beating the Drums of Ancestral Force, this collective of California-based musicians—a pool of eleven performers from bands of all extremities, including Xibalba, Teeth, Civerous—wishes to express their reverence for the brutal nature worship of the Aztec/Mexica people and history. But never fear, this new and furious outing is far from a dissertation.

True to its namesake, Beating the Drums of Ancestral Force comes loaded with indigenous percussion, shrill flute shrieks, and piles and piles of deathly riffs. With a ferrous scent and sanguine splatter, the guitar ensemble that powers Tzompantli churns buzzsaw riff to Peaceville droning harmony with ease. And as the serenity of those moments dissipates in the wake of sacrifice, beatdown approximating segues crush space like the crack of macuahuitl to its unfortunate foe. In many ways Beating whips about with greater intensity than this act’s debut outing a couple of years back—time has allowed nuance to settle.

As such, Beating at its most impressive and brutal assaults stirs battle-lust in a manner that only this sound-nook can. No proper volume exists for sections like the skull-splitting opening fifteen seconds of dramatic flute wail and warrior chant or the recalled alert that swells to a primal throb on “Tetzavitzli.” Testament to Tzompantli’s eclectic nature, this pattern of tension and release reminds me most of both the ritualistic crescendo aim of aggressive Neurosis works (think “Through Silver and Blood” or “Under the Surface“) and the long-form low-end abuse of Evoken. However, compared to both of those acts, the crew that composes Tzompantli skews death and hardcore, so many songs find a way back to the grounded realms of down-tuned tremolo runs and tempo-tugging shuffles.

Despite the impressive number of people involved in the creation of Beating, rarely does the album feel like the result of a tribe in unison. Now, you may be thinking that that shouldn’t matter, that the number of people on paper doesn’t always have to present in total sound construction. While that’s true, Tzompantli does indeed crash in waves as one, like the fireside call and response of “Tlaloc Icuic” that lights the path for a Conan-sized drop or the heavily layered percussion that propels “Tetzaviztli.” And in these explosive displays of collective power, Tzompantli makes its mark not only as unique and affecting death/doom band but as a realization of their mission statement. It’s a wonder to behold and a shame that the link amongst these peaks renders as merely good slow, chugging death metal.

In the atmospheric realm, Tzompantli’s trademark “Tzomp-Stomp” lands like a breath of scorching hot air. Yet that same force poses an issue in this tightly interwoven tapestry of oscillating moods that Beating the Drums of Ancestral Force swings. It’s tough to temper the twitch of might and the pulse of bravado that engorges throughout these tales of might, triumph, war, and loss. The comedown ambience can simply be too unsettling. But with many passages in the Nauhatl language helping engross the audience in ancient glory, Tzompantli, at least, succeeds in sharing their reverence for their chosen and deeply personal subject matter. And with as many bodies that compromise this unique and promising band, it’s anyone’s guess as to how impacting their continued statements will be.

Rating: 3.0/5.0
DR: 6 | Format Reviewed: 320 kbps mp3
Label: 20 Buck Spin | Bandcamp
Website: facebook.com/tzompantlidoom
Releases Worldwide: May 17th, 2024

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