Review: HACAVITZ – “Metztli Obscura”

Hacavitz – Metztli Obscura
released June 22, 2010 on Moribund Records

Raing: 2/5

This is relentless, dissonant and definitely black metal. The album doesn’t slow down, except for a few brief measures here and there. There is nothing fancy or new here, which means if you want True Black Metal (minus the cold weather influence), this is as close as you can get. But there is also nothing memorable about any of these songs. The worst part of the album is the repetitive style of riff-writing. Most of the songs are filled with open arpeggiated minor chords which get very trite after a while. I found myself waiting around for a song that didn’t have them (thankfully, they mostly disappear toward the end of the album). And you bet, those few slow parts of the album are graced with these overused riffs.

One thing I require to really respect a Black Metal band is their ability to embrace their heritage or the history of the land on which they live, no matter what part of the world they’re from. Hacavitz does this by writing songs about what I assume is Aztec mythology or anthropology. This is sure to keep Metztli Obscura shrouded in mystery, the way Black Metal should be.

The production quality of the album is good. The vocals could be a little more in the foreground, but overall it sounds raw and vicious—not overproduced, not underproduced. I’m not saying this is a “must buy” album, but you don’t need to be a discriminating True Black Metal fan to enjoy it. Just throw it in with your metal mix on “shuffle” and don’t bother listening to the whole album from start to finish.

Try 1, 8, 9

1. To Meet Again
2. Ye Parani Eojtocomol
3. Towards Black Pest
4. Hablan los Muertos
5. Most Unclean
6. Cauitl Glalticpac
7. Angstcraftwerk
8. Sulphur Winds
9. Gorajtzin Miqui