Band:	Tenochtitlan
Album:	Chac Och-Ut
Style:	Ambient Folk, Neofolk, Doom metal
Release date:	2006
A review by:	Jeff

01. Och Vitz Ngui P'i Xo-Xot
02. Astlan - A Way Made Of Dark Stone
03. Can Quitlaz in Huelic Xochimeh
04. A Place Where Gods Are Born
05. A Toltek Artist
06. Jaguar Epoch
07. Haa Ki-Um U Poc Av
08. Tsompantly
09. Four Sides Of Paradise
10. Ch'e'nal

"Chac Och-Ut" is the second album of the really original Russian combo Tenochtitlan. And I can tell you that it was a real challenge to release this kind of album. Mixing "South American" ethnic music with Doom Metal, the music of this band is totally uncommon but also a bit "intellectual", elitist and not so easy of access. Though if you like original stuff and if you're a bit open minded, I'm quite sure that the beginning of these Russians dudes will be interesting for you.

"Chac Och-Ut" is maybe not so deep that the first album of the band but it's easy to link those two releases. Like on "Epoch Of The Fifth Sun" the music is a mix of Ethnic and World Music with of course in addition, Metal. It means that, you'll be to find different kind of vocals like Death ones but also nice beautiful voices. The lyrics are in Russian and as I know (remember that I cannot read and understand Russian!) the band chose to use also some words of the Aztec and Inca languages. The atmosphere is really dark, with a lot of insistent and loud riffs but it's also possible to find a lot of great melodies and some superb musical parts produced by folk instruments like flutes for example. If it is still dark during the whole length of the album, this is actually possible to enjoy those melodies. I mean that the music is beautiful and the melodies are always catchy. Maybe that it will sound weird for you but the principal idea that was to mix Metal with Aztec and Incas sonorities and ambiances is pretty good. With a bit of imagination, when you'll listen to this album, I'm quite sure that you'll have the feeling that you're back in this amazing but sanguinary world?

The production of the album is really good (it seems that it is a trend with this band). Even if all the members live in different cities and even if Tenochtitlan is actually a project, the guys managed to produce a beautiful album with an amazing booklet and when it comes to the sound we're in front of a really high level too. Tenochtitlan is an original project and not an easy one but it's obvious that the guys put a lot of efforts on this release and at the end, we're just in front of an excellent job.

"Chac Och-Ut" is a surprising album and this time this is an original Metal! Though you'll have to remember that this album is not an album easy of access, this is complex and yes a bit elitist but if you're a bit open minded and aren't afraid by "Ethno" music I'm quite sure that you'll like it "Chac Och-Ut" is a really good and original release, something different and fresh!