Band:	Hacavitz
Album:	Metztli Obscura
Style:	Blackened death metal
Release date:	June 21, 2010
A review by:	Troy Killjoy

01. To Meet Again
02. Ye Patani Xojtocomol
03. Towards Black Pest [feat. Shyaithan]
04. Hablan Los Muertos
05. Most Unclean
06. Cahuitl Tlalticpac
07. Angstcraftwerk
08. Sulphur Winds
09. Totajtzin Miqui

Blackened death metal
Mexico
Moribund Records

Line-up on the CD:
Antimo Buonnano - guitars, vocals
Oscar Garcia - drums


This is the soundtrack to your journey to Mictlan after death.

While occult Mexican death metal outfit Hacavitz aren't a breath of fresh air in a genre crowded by underachievers and dwarfed by the likes of more popular bands a la Behemoth and Belphegor, not to mention the overlooked talents of Arkhon Infaustus and Martriden, Metzli Obscura is nonetheless a worthy sacrifice to the Aztec gods. And coincidentally, suitable for most metalheads' ears.

Hacavitz, for those who don't know them, are known for their raw production and unabashed blasphemous aggression, infusing melodic guitar leads with unrelenting blastbeats and guttural vocal work (Antimo Buonnano can hit insanely low-pitched growls as well as Chance Garnett-esque shrieks). Of course none of these elements are new, but these Mexicans are more than comfortable with the style and this album is proof positive.

Metzli Obscura is a very effecient release, encompassing all the band's malice and contempt while managing to conserve plenty of disc space at a mere 37 minutes. Brimming with vigor and perfectly executed chaos, this album is sure to shake your floors over the course of its duration, and even features a special guest appearance, courtesy of Shyaithan from Singaporean black/death metal band Impiety.

Bringing it back to the originality factor, Hacavitz could suffer as much as succeed based on their similarity to Goatwhore's A Haunting Curse. Fans of Sammy Duet and Ben Falgoust will either lap this up like a blood guilt Eucharist or denounce it for attempting to replicate what many consider to be a landmark blackened death metal opus. Given the general outcry for more talent outside of Poland, it would seem Hacavitz are poised to take advantage of their heritage, their tight musicianship, and their ability to stand out, all the while playing within the confines of a somewhat dearth genre. Provided we aren't presented with a follow-up to Evangelion, this may go down as one of the strongest blackened death releases of 2010.

Chalmecatecuchtlz would be proud.


Website: http://www.myspace.com/hacavitz666