On February 28th, 2021, Nuclear War Now! Productions will reissue two crucial pieces of Mexican black metal legends Xibalba (AKA Xibalba Itzaes) on vinyl format: the Ancients compilation, which spans material from 1992-1994, and the band's essential debut album, Ah Dzam Poop Ek, from 1994.
While Nuclear War Now! has immense respect for and was highly influenced by much of the black metal output of the 1990s, very little of it still retains as much of its original allure as that created by Mexico’s earliest masters, Xibalba. Those who are familiar with their only album, Ah Dzam Poop Ek, originally released by the infamous Guttural Records in 1994, already know what to expect. This is black metal distilled to its most primitive essence. Ancients features the 1992 In Lucescitae Tristis Hiei demo as well as a rehearsal recording from 1994.
While drawing their musical inspiration from the same sources as the Norwegian black metal pioneers of the early 1990s (Bathory, Hellhammer, Sodom, etc.), Xibalba turned toward the ancient traditional Mayan culture for guidance in their rejection of the Catholic plague infesting Mexico. The result is raw black metal perfection similar in some ways to their contemporaries, but still distinctively Xibalba. While technically simple, Xibalba focus on chord progressions so distinctive and clear that the listener is instantly captivated. Rather than overdrive the recording with heavy distortion and a blown-out mix, the instruments are all clear and crisp, thus allowing the chords and notes to blend seamlessly to produce a lush and pure and, at times, epic sound not dissimilar to Darkthrone. Furthermore, Xibalba rely heavily on rudimentary heavy rock riffs that keep the music firmly grounded in the metal traditions that originally spawned the black metal movement. The vocals, however, often delivered in the tongue of their Mayan ancestors, evoke a sinister hostility that summons the valiant warrior spirit of the ancients to avenge the deaths of the majestic ancient cultures at the hands of the puny and wretched Christian vermin that spread through the land leaving behind their legions of weak-minded slaves.
In addition to the vinyl reissue of Ancients, Nuclear War Now! will present again Xibalba's highly praised debut album, Ah Dzam Poop Ek, on double-LP vinyl format with proper packaging. Included are all album tracks with the original mix and four extra tracks taken from their split demo with Avzhia. The layout was completely redone for this vinyl version.
In the meantime, streams Ancients in its entirety HERE and Ah Dzam Poop Ek HERE, both at Nuclear War Now!'s Bandcamp. Respective covers and tracklistings are as follows:
While Nuclear War Now! has immense respect for and was highly influenced by much of the black metal output of the 1990s, very little of it still retains as much of its original allure as that created by Mexico’s earliest masters, Xibalba. Those who are familiar with their only album, Ah Dzam Poop Ek, originally released by the infamous Guttural Records in 1994, already know what to expect. This is black metal distilled to its most primitive essence. Ancients features the 1992 In Lucescitae Tristis Hiei demo as well as a rehearsal recording from 1994.
While drawing their musical inspiration from the same sources as the Norwegian black metal pioneers of the early 1990s (Bathory, Hellhammer, Sodom, etc.), Xibalba turned toward the ancient traditional Mayan culture for guidance in their rejection of the Catholic plague infesting Mexico. The result is raw black metal perfection similar in some ways to their contemporaries, but still distinctively Xibalba. While technically simple, Xibalba focus on chord progressions so distinctive and clear that the listener is instantly captivated. Rather than overdrive the recording with heavy distortion and a blown-out mix, the instruments are all clear and crisp, thus allowing the chords and notes to blend seamlessly to produce a lush and pure and, at times, epic sound not dissimilar to Darkthrone. Furthermore, Xibalba rely heavily on rudimentary heavy rock riffs that keep the music firmly grounded in the metal traditions that originally spawned the black metal movement. The vocals, however, often delivered in the tongue of their Mayan ancestors, evoke a sinister hostility that summons the valiant warrior spirit of the ancients to avenge the deaths of the majestic ancient cultures at the hands of the puny and wretched Christian vermin that spread through the land leaving behind their legions of weak-minded slaves.
In addition to the vinyl reissue of Ancients, Nuclear War Now! will present again Xibalba's highly praised debut album, Ah Dzam Poop Ek, on double-LP vinyl format with proper packaging. Included are all album tracks with the original mix and four extra tracks taken from their split demo with Avzhia. The layout was completely redone for this vinyl version.
In the meantime, streams Ancients in its entirety HERE and Ah Dzam Poop Ek HERE, both at Nuclear War Now!'s Bandcamp. Respective covers and tracklistings are as follows:
Tracklisting for Xibalba (Mexico)'s Ancients
1. Furor Antiquus
2. Caveae Ex Cuzivan
3. Tectum Finatum
4. In Lucescitae Tristis Hiei
5. The Crown of Plumes
6. Bow the Serpent in the Stone
7. Itzam Na Send a Storm
8. Return to Outerwisdom
Tracklisting for Xibalba (Mexico)'s Ah Dzam Poop Ek
2. Caveae Ex Cuzivan
3. Tectum Finatum
4. In Lucescitae Tristis Hiei
5. The Crown of Plumes
6. Bow the Serpent in the Stone
7. Itzam Na Send a Storm
8. Return to Outerwisdom
Tracklisting for Xibalba (Mexico)'s Ah Dzam Poop Ek
1. Furor Antiquus
2. Vuch
3. In Deamones Imperium
4. Carchah
5. Sar Ibteeloob Cab
6. Sign of Eastern War
7. Bolontiku Vahom
8. Itzam Cab Ain Katun
9. Outro
10. Deers in the Mounts
11. Ancients
12. Horizons
MORE INFO:
www.xibalbaitzaes.com
2. Vuch
3. In Deamones Imperium
4. Carchah
5. Sar Ibteeloob Cab
6. Sign of Eastern War
7. Bolontiku Vahom
8. Itzam Cab Ain Katun
9. Outro
10. Deers in the Mounts
11. Ancients
12. Horizons
MORE INFO:
www.xibalbaitzaes.com
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