Album Review: Ahuiani Xochiquetzal by Metztli – A Blackened Blast from the US Underground
Alright, let’s talk about Ahuiani Xochiquetzal, the 2019 release from Metztli, a band that’s clearly not here to hold your hand or sing you lullabies. If you’re into raw, unfiltered black metal with some death metal grit thrown in for good measure, this one might just scratch that itch. Released under Night Of The Palemoon (cool name, right?), it’s a wild ride through thunderous riffs, blastbeat chaos, and an atmosphere so dark you’ll need a flashlight to find your way back.
First off, kudos to Metztli for bringing something unique to the table. The album blends traditional black metal vibes with Mesoamerican themes—yeah, like Aztec mythology and stuff. Tracks like “Con El Poder De Huitzilopochtli” hit hard, both musically and thematically. You can almost picture ancient warriors charging into battle while listening to this track. It’s got this relentless energy, pounding drums, and these eerie melodies that stick with you long after the song ends. Honestly, I couldn’t stop humming parts of it, even though my version probably sounded more like a dying cat than anything epic.
Another standout is “Our Hearts Want Nothing But A War Of Death.” Man, what a title! This track feels like pure aggression bottled up and unleashed all at once. The vocals are absolutely feral, and the guitar work is sharp enough to cut glass. There’s this moment halfway through where everything slows down just briefly—a haunting pause before the storm kicks back in. That little break? Super memorable. It’s like the calm before the battlefield erupts again.
Now, full disclosure: this isn’t background music for chilling on a Sunday afternoon. This is intense, in-your-face stuff meant to be experienced loud, maybe with a beer in hand if that’s your thing. And sure, there are moments where things get repetitive, but honestly? That’s kinda the point. Repetition adds to the hypnotic vibe, pulling you deeper into their sonic abyss.
One thing I gotta mention is how cool it is to see bands drawing inspiration from non-European mythologies. Most black metal leans heavily on Norse gods or Satanic imagery, which is fine, but hearing references to Huitzilopochtli? Refreshing as hell. Feels like they’re carving out their own niche in a genre that sometimes feels oversaturated.
So yeah, Ahuiani Xochiquetzal won’t appeal to everyone, but if you dig extreme music with personality, give it a shot. Just don’t blame me if your neighbors start complaining about the noise.
Oh, and here’s a random thought to leave you with: listening to this album makes me wonder what would happen if Metztli collaborated with a mariachi band. Would it work? Probably not. But damn, wouldn’t that be interesting?
