Metal Shock Finland (World Assault )

Mexican-Canadian folk metal artists CABRAKAÄN refine rough metal with the sound of their ancestors. Their new album Aztlán tells of the era of Spanish colonization and slavery in Mexico, which provided the musical fabric of the country with threads of African and Spanish folklore. “Aztlán” is called the home of the Aztecs, though its location remains a mystery to this day. By using historical Mexican instruments, the musicians transform the genre of folk metal into a diverse, open field. One example for this is how prehispanic sound artifacts were rediscovered by researcher Agustin Garcia Reyes (an expert on the history of Mesoamerica), recreated and personally presented on the album.

Cabrakaän now let us take a look behind the scenes of their album production with the just released documentary Journey to Aztlán, which strikes the balance of cultural cohesion and the much needed break with the conventions of Eurocentric folk metal.
The documentary dives deep into a world between Aztec culture and the modern way of life. What makes it so special for the inquisitive culture nerds among us metalheads, is the sometimes challenging journey of the people behind the mysterious name Cabrakaän, which is documented in the film. In order to help their ancient cultural heritage to a renaissance free of resentment and restrictions by means of 21st century heavy metal, and to reach a worldwide audience, the band migrated to Canada. This resulted in a moving, self-told musical story of exploration and discovery, learning and deep friendship. The band notes: “Mexico is a land of contrasts and nuances that enchants: a deeply rooted, ancient land.” Impressive images tell of the legacy of ancient folklore through sound, visuals, and the spoken word.

About Cabrakaän

Cabrakaän is a Mexican-Canadian folk metal band that relocated from Mexico to Canada shortly before the global pandemic after a moving performance in Calgary and friendships made as a result. Formed back in 2010 in Mexico by composer, drummer/percussionist, black/death metal shouter and producer Marko Cipäktli and classically trained soprano vocalist Pat Cuikani, the band quickly began to shake up the scene with sensational live shows.

Inspired by their shared love of the diversity of Mexico’s indigenous languages and cultures, the at first glance disparate duo combines a passion for raw metal with folk music and opera added in. 

In folk metal, we all have become accustomed to thinking of the Middle Ages or hearing exciting stories from the time of the Vikings. With Cabrakaän, now composed of multi-national musicians from Mexico, Colombia, and Australia, who are based in both Mexico and Canada, Mexican ancestors and their deities get a voice – loud, colorful, yearning, passionate and always poignant.
The disruptive nature of their own ancestral roots reach both deep into the Mesoamerican culture of the Mexica/Otomi people and simultaneously into the Spanish culture of their repressive conquerors. This makes Cabrakaän a gang of the driven, of explorers and cultural ambassadors. The appeal of the disreputable – the denied world of the Aztecs (Mexicas), Toltecs, Otomi and Mayas – gets a fair shot at becoming a place of aspiration for metalheads. Finally, because even in today’s times of empowerment, the confession of pre-Hispanic roots is still taboo in large parts of Mexican society.

Pre-Save the album Aztlán now at THIS LOCATION.

Tracklist

1 Tonantzin
2 Fuego
3 Tlaloc
4 Luces y Sombras
5 Malintzin
6 Mictlán
7 Yolot
8 Xóchitl
9 La Cigarra
10 Mictlán (English Version)
11 Fuego (English Version)
12 Luces y Sombras (English Version)

Cabrakaän on Aztlán are:
Pat Cuikani – Vocals
Marko Cipäktli – Drums, Rough Vocals
Alex Navarro – Lead Guitars
David Saldarriaga Tobón – Rhythm Guitar/Bass
Chellan Hoffman – Live Organs
Reed Alton – Guest Vocals (La Cigarra)

Cabrakaän Online:

https://cabrakaan.com
https://www.facebook.com/CABRAKAAN/
https://www.instagram.com/cabrakaan_band/
https://www.youtube.com/@Cabrakaan
https://cabrakaan.bandcamp.com/