YAOTL MICTLAN

How often have you been disappointed by music that started off so promising? Today notches up another because, after a lovely flute-based intro, and epic acoustic, then buzzing, guitars the whole mood is destroyed by the vocals. We're talking Abbath singing for Alcest. For the most part, it just doesn't work. There are numerous moments where a decent clean voice would have elevated this to must-have status but, as such, it's just another dreary extreme metal also-ran. Ultimately, the band has to resort to playing on the raw black metal stakes just to give the vocals the backing they need. So much promise restricted by this limitation is tragic. Eventually it all becomes noise, which will please the troo crowd. While I like manic heaviness as much as the next man, I also like to have light and shade. And this is like being trapped in a fallout bunker with a dying firefly; occasional glimmers of light all too brief and faded within seconds. So, my plea to Yaoti Mictian: employ a singer, continue mixing in the subtleties, and we can talk. For now though, please leave me alone.

LABEL:

FORMAT:

Candlelight Records

Album

DENTRO DEL MANTO GRIS DE CHAAC

Review by Steve Cowan

RUNNING TIME:

49:26

RELEASE DATE:

28th Feb 2011

TRACK LISTING

1) Dentro del Manto Gris de Chaac
2) Garra de Jaguar - Ocho Venado
3) Cihuacoatl
4) Hun Hunapu
5) Gemelos Heroes
6) Noche Triunfadora
7) Huelitiyotl Mexica
8) Nada Verde Crece Aqui

COUNTRY OF ORIGIN:

USA

"...the whole mood is destroyed by the vocals. We're talking Abbath singing for Alcest. For the most part, it just doesn't work."