Band:	Tzompantli
Album:	Beating The Drums Of Ancestral Force
Style:	Death doom metal
Release date:	May 17, 2024
A review by:	X-Ray Rod

01. Tetzahuitl
02. Tlayohualli
03. Tlaloc Icuic
04. Chichimecatl
05. Tetzaviztli
06. Otlica Mictlan
07. Icnocuicatl

Tzompantli’s sophomore album shows improvement on all aspects that were rushed or half-baked on their debut. With Beating The Drums Of Ancestral Force, the band unleashes an ideal mix of D-beat-laced death metal and crushing doom metal that perfectly matches the disturbing images of Aztec human sacrifices.

My opinion on Tzompantli’s debut album Tlazcaltiliztli was very clear: the band, led by Bigg o))), who is mostly known for his work in Xibalba, had mastered a sound, but not much else. The production and vibe of Tlazcaltiliztli was impeccable. Unbelievably heavy sound on those crunchy riffs, imposing drums, monstrous vocals, and ritualistic chants. But the songs themselves lacked proper dynamics, depth, and identity. It felt like a collection of ideas as the songs led to nowhere.

But something happened in these two years that has forced Tzompantli to grow exponentially. This could be interpreted quite literally, as Bigg o))) has recruited more than triple the amount of people compared to the line-up on Tzompantli’s previous album. Perhaps it was the influx of new people that refreshed the band’s creative juices. Who knows? What I do know is that the result is drastically different. Beating The Drums Of Ancestral Force is one hell of a comeback. Right from the beginning, I got the feeling they were getting their act together, as I was viciously assaulted by lightning fast death metal riffs, maddening wind instruments, and malicious growls. The crust punk touches on the fast sections add an Entombed-like quality to the massive riffs. When Tzompantli decides to slow things down, the density of the songs is doubled through the ritualistic touches with powerful, tribal drumwork and some growled chants that reminds me of old Nile. Basically all the elements in their sound seem to have been well integrated into powerful songs.

What I appreciate the most about Beating The Drums Of Ancestral Force is its excellent flow. At first, the album starts with what are arguably their most aggressive songs. But, then, the sound manages to slowly change as the third track’s dark ambience takes hold, reaching almost funeral doom territory. These tides of death, doom, and gloom come crushing and then retreat in a very fluid way. Same can be said about the duality of the raw violence of “Chichimecatl” and the sombre, atmospheric tribalism of “Tetzaviztli”. But, what is a constant throughout the record are these dreamy lead guitars that truly add flavour to the album. In my last review, I made a comparison to the great Disembowelment, and this feeling is now reinforced on this album. This is only excellent news as very few acts have come anywhere near the sound of those Australian giants.

Tzompantli has acquired a respectable identity and made a comeback with an album that could very well be one of the dark horses for best extreme doom metal album of the year.