Yaotl Mictlan, which literally translates into "Warrior(s) from the land of the Dead" in the Mexican language Nahuatl, was formed in 1998 in a basement in Salt Lake City, Utah by brothers Yaotl & Tlatecatl. The brothers shared a mutual passion around their Mexican and Mayan culture. They're lyrics talk about their belief that after christians colonized Mexico their people lost their identity and succumbed to a colonized way of life. Their lyrics are inspired by the unfortunate way in which at the present time their people live in extreme self hatred. Ultimately they would like to see the end of the colonized way of thinking and for their people to embrace their roots.

Their first song came after putting together a few riffs that they had been working on for some time they arranged the song called "Tributo a Huitzilopochtli" later renamed "Mexicas". Yaotl Mictlan recorded a few songs on a tape recorder made two copies and somehow one of them landed in the hands of well known vocalist Juan Brujo from the band "Brujeria". He called on a Saturday morning to let them know that he wanted to work with the band and sent a check to cover studio time for the demo called "A Batalla Vamos" 2001.

As they ventured to create their new band they found it difficult to recruit the right members with similar pre-Hispanic ideologies and who would be able to play the same style of music. Such as the sounds of their unique "A Batalla Vamos" track which is marked by a blend of black metal and ancient Mexican instruments. The sounds blend together and inspire the listener to imagine an ancient time where disciplined war rituals and sacrificial offerings were a way of life. The calling of the seashells mixed with blast beats and raw vocals capture the essence of the proud Mayan culture. In late 2004 Aj Ben joined what Yaotl and Tlatecalt called their "culto" and at that point decided they were ready to finance and record a new album "Guerreros de la Tierra de los Muertos" 2006; Joel Morales from the Mexican label American Line Productions offered to release the album and soon after that the band became much more visible in the International Metal scene.

Following the release of the album a local Mexican metal head who played guitar contacted the band and demonstrated a true a interest in joining. He shared similar ideologies and had previously played for the Mexico City band Shub Niggurath. He soon became Xolotl the bands talented second guitarist. After two and half years with the band Aj'Ben decided to follow his musical intuition and create a band that would combine Corridos originating from the Mexican Revolution with punk rock, and left Yaotl Mictlan and the extreme metal scene. He was replaced by "Nahuali" an old friend and regular in the scene who's presence completed the lineup.

In 2008 thanks to the success of "Guerreros de la Tierra de los Muertos" Candlelight Records approached Yaotl Mictlan and signed a deal for their new album; which they plan on releasing by February of 2010. The new album called " Dentro del Manto Gris de Chaac" will emphasize their interpretation of the mystical ancestral rituals of the Mexican and Mayan culture. Transporting the listener into a foggy, backdrop filled with dark and mournful guitar riffs idolizing evidence of a glorious past.

Source: http://www.candlelightrecords.co.uk/artists.htm