Tzitzimimeh Are Sniffing at the Wolves
That’s true
my folk black metal knowledge is limited to a couple of bands and now it’s even
hard to me to call them all out from my memory. To put it briefly, such genre
is not my everyday toy as I consider it completely nothing special to listen
to, sometimes when it comes to musical very poor quality, sometimes when it
comes ideologically proposing nothing but a crass stupidity. This album is my
first meeting with the Tlaxcala de Xicoténcatl based band and I was very
curious the final result, not only because I’m just a metal freak, but I have
been interested in Mexico history since the ages. Although one thing made me
wonder at the start, namely why all the words have been written in Spanish? This
fact is incomprehensible for me, as the band’s name comes directly from the
Aztec mythology. However, finally Spanish is definitely better than English.
Well, let’s
focus on the music itself. “Lobos” are opened by… too long introduction (2:33)
and damn, I have an impression I started to listen any stuff of Necrophagia or
Mortician. The latter is shorter one lasting 1:40 and becomes just a pure
tribute to the simple Scandinavian second wave black bestiality. And these
tracks might mislead, as the remainder is Tzitzimitl style exclusively. But
Mexicans don’t provide equal good sounds that may be above any standard. Definitely
I raise objections when it comes to the average black metal outbreaks (“Cuatro
estaciones”, “Cuando el sol cae”) or irritating use of keyboards (glaring
example in “Cuando el sol cae” which makes this track terrible despite of
promising beginning). Then two tracks: if “Canto del coyote” is a perfect song
to bang the head at the live performance due to catchy heavy thrashing riffs,
“Piedra canteada” seems to be poor imitation of Running Wild or any Alestorm’s
cover – this drunken musical revelry doesn’t convince me at all. And, in spite of
vocals efforts, these songs aren’t kept in black manner. But, the album keeps
going, and the ending three tracks deliver “Lobos” from artistic death. Really
good using of clean vocals (long “Invocación a la fuerza”, “Tierra de gigantes”),
straight-forward riffs and some influences from Motörhead (“Tierra de
gigantes”). Yes, finally, my blood starts to run faster!
Allory
Studio did a good job with sound realization, all served in natural way, even
bass has its splendid moments (did Laloch terrorize the studio with his
rifle?). When it comes to folk
adjective in band’s style: this is definitely an added value, both Jo Malix
(prehispanic drums) and Lince Memok (prehispanic ocarinas) improve and enrich
the thing creating quite intriguing tunes. Then, vocals of Centinela (and
different kinds of choirs) are another strong point of “Lobos” – it has been
given in a good way, even blackish screams freeze my blood. So, the journey
with wolves Tzitzimitl offers is like a roller coaster. From very average black
portion I mentioned which does not repulse but does not convince me either, to
interesting and promising moments that give a hope to hear something better in
the future. But the whole must be equal in every single aspect, coherent and
well balanced. Unfortunately “Lobos” aren’t a guarantee of it.
55/100
-Tlacaxipehualiztli
(written in February, 2017)
