Band:	Mictlantecuhtli
Album:	Warriors Of The Black Sun
Style:	Blackened thrash metal
Release date:	November 11, 2008
A review by:	Lucas

01. Night Of Sorrow
02. Dreams Of Triumph
03. Roads To Victory
04. Shadow Of The Mourning Star
05. Warrior's Desire
06. Ancient War Call
07. Blood Spills In Darkness
08. Kingdoms Fire
09. Crowned Under A Black Sun

Don't even bother trying to remember or pronounce the name of this band, just copy it whenever you want to google them for information. Mictlantecuhtli, the Aztec God Of Death (or according to the band, the manifestation of it) is a band that just makes me long for the days where bands were just called "Bathory" and "Immortal". Names that are easy to remember and easy to pronounce, instead of being real tongue-twister.

Anyway, the band is named after an Aztec god, and it won't surprise anyone that that is also where they draw their lyrical inspiration from. Not only the band name; the nicknames from the members are inspired by that culture too. We have none other than Cuauhtemoc on vocals, Cuitlahuac and Tlacaelel on the six stringed axe, Tlaloc on bass and Itzcoatl pounds the skins. Just be glad this is a written review and that I'm not trying to discuss this band with you in person.

What "Warriors Of The Black Sun" comprises is Black/Thrash with hints of Melodic Death metal, in it's most simplistic form. The execution is a little sloppy, which adds to the already old-fashioned style of the band. Bathory and it's sloppy old school thrashy Black metal is the biggest influence, alongside with Venom and Immortal and the likes. The riffs are of the tremolo-style, the drums are monotone and the vocals are harsh rasps.

Absolutely nothing new, that's right, and the band doesn't really make up for it with extra fury or charm. Yes, the band has its moments but there are no riffs or vocal lines that really stick in your head. And instead of offering wicked thrash insanity, on too many moments the band loses itself in dull and repetitive parts, where they seem to need a break from the thrashing and draw a (long) breath of fresh air. Well, not in my music, better go all out and pay a visit to the hospital or oxygen-tank later on. Where's the fire, people?!

Besides a few cool solo's and ditto riffs here and there, "Warriors Of The Black Sun" is a pretty disappointing release. As said, the band does have it's moments and it's not really a bad release, but playing on the automatic pilot, ripping off the old-school heroes just isn't enough any more these days. It appears I'm one of the few with this opinion though, as plenty of people seem to thoroughly enjoy this release. Well, I'll stick to "Blood Fire Death", thank you very much.