Tzompantli – Beating the Drums of Ancestral Force (Review)

This is the second album from US death/doom band Tzompantli.

2022’s Tlazcaltiliztli was a record that I got a lot of enjoyment out of, so it’s great to see the return of Tzompantli once more. Beating the Drums of Ancestral Force contains 42 minutes of new material, and finds the band taking giant leaps forward in more than one way.

With an expanded duration, a much-expanded lineup, and a more intricate sound, Tzompantli have succeeded in pushing their monstrous sound to a new level. The band’s crushing brand of death/doom metal is more immersive, richly textured, and multifaceted this time around. The use of indigenous instrumentation, themes, and influences are all further embedded and developed, making for a record that has both personality and muscle.

Tzompantli mix together rhythmic heaviness and nuanced percussive force easily and effectively. They skilfully unleash huge doom workouts and brutally merciless death metal, while also generating seamless atmospheric depth and melodic highlights that are drenched in feeling. The songs sound massive, drawing strength from the band’s songwriting approach to produce songs that hit the spot nicely. Beating the Drums of Ancestral Force is a diverse record too, relatively speaking, building layers of expressive sound around its core death/doom heaviness.

Beating the Drums of Ancestral Force offers a compelling and very enjoyable take on death/doom metal. Tzompantli continue their ascendence, and this is one you definitely need to experience for yourself.