Homenaje a Los Antiguas: A Mayan and Mesoamerican Black Metal Journey with Yaotl Mictlan

There is a unique aspect to American culture, one that is often taken for granted or, worse, looked down upon: America is a melting pot and has been since its relatively recent birth. The multitude of ethnicities that call America home fuel us with a new sense of self-discovery and values and traditions that everyone can embrace and celebrate. Yaotl Mictlan may have originated in Mexico, but they call Salt Lake City home. Yaotl Mictlan has a primal edge with their feet planted in black metal, yet dispel the notion that all black metal bands sound the same. They prove that the genre is a vessel to portray artistic visions and themes and can ideally transfix and transport listeners to experience emotions and feelings they might not have known they even had. The band signed to international label Candlelight Records in February, giving them distribution on a global level. On Aug. 10, they released their second full-length album, Dentro del Manto Gris de Chaac. It not only instills hometown pride, but reminds us all that humanity is one entity. Yaotl Mictlan embrace their Mayan and Mesoamerican heritage, using their music as an exploration into ancient realms that are still not fully explained by historians. SLUG talked to Yaotl, the band’s drummer, and got further insight into the band.

SLUG: Where did the initial idea for Yaotl Mictlan come from? How and when did the band get its start?
Yaotl: One of the main reasons Tlatecatl (guitarist and vocalist) and I started Yaotl Mictlan was because we had never heard a black/death metal band talk about the ancient Mexican cultures. We both agreed on adding indigenous instruments and having the lyrics in Spanish. That has been our fundamental intent since 1999.

SLUG: The band’s lyrical subject matter and musical themes are based around the Mayan culture and heritage, as well as other topics. Where does the band’s inspiration lyrically and musically come from?
Yaotl: It’s not just Mayan, but Mesoamerican, and it comes from within. We grew up hearing about their history and their temples, and we got fascinated with their religions. We realized that other people were unfamiliar with our history. In fact, they were ashamed to have indigenous roots. Our lyrics are meant to inspire others to be proud of where they come from and share with them a sense belonging. Similarly, we are inspired by the musical talent and creativity of our ancestors and the instruments they used over five thousand years ago.

SLUG: How would you describe Yaotl Mictlan to someone who has never even heard a chord of black metal?
Yaotl: In this specific case I would describe it as extreme metal, in Spanish, with indigenous instruments, and hand them a CD.

SLUG: The band uses a multitude of different indigenous instruments in its music. Can you name a few, and the reasons behind using them and who plays them?
Yaotl: Seashells, tree seeds, huehefl drums, teponaztli wooden drums, various flutes, Mayan trumpets and rain sticks. We use them because we want to add to the ambience of our lyrics. In our opinion, these instruments are very similar to dark and ambient black metal—they both provoke intense feelings of passion and mystique. All of us perform these instruments in the recordings.

SLUG: While my knowledge on the Mayan culture isn’t superb, I can see how it makes an impact. When I was eight years old (I’m 29 now) I spent a month in Mexico, and a lot of that time was spent touring the Mayan pyramids, Teotihuacan, Palenque and Chichen Itza. I have strong memories of visiting those places. What about the culture makes you feel so connected and inspired to create music about it?
Yaotl: That’s great that your time spent in Mexico was memorable. Mexico and these ancient sites that you went to are, in our opinion, very magical places. As native people from Mexico, we have a strong connection with the culture of our ancestors and we sometimes feel disappointed that more is not being done to preserve and highlight the significance of our history. Rather, we are in a state of unconscious self-hatred and inferiority instilled in us from the time we were colonized. Yaotl Mictlan’s goal is to bring awareness into our community’s mind and open their eyes to the infinite richness that exists within our own culture.

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Comments on this article

Posted on September 2, 2010 by Bru

Que Bien!!!! So fortunate to have a band like this here in Utah!! all Hails!

Posted on September 2, 2010 by IM

THE BEST BAND!!!!!!!!

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