Cabrkaaän was formed in 2011 by drummer Marko Cipäktli and vocalist Pat Cuikani who are both from Toluca, Mexico, and are currently based in Canada. They work with indigenous Mexican artists to incorporate authentic pre-Hispanic instruments like ocarinas, flutes, percussion instruments, and more in their dramatic, melodic music. Their latest work is “Aztlán”, a thematic album, with 12 tracks that each represent a different facet of their cultural story. The theme is centered on the Spanish conquest – colonization and the defeat of Mexico’s Aztec empire, Tenochtitlán. The band shares their excitement for the release:
“We hope that you’re as excited as we are for Aztlán! This album is incredibly close to our hearts, and we hope that you can hear it. It’s a part of us. It represents our perseverance to continue onward with our music despite countless challenges and setbacks. It gave us the opportunity to create something important and beautiful and to share a piece of our culture with the world. We hope you find something in our music that resonates with you. Our hearts and souls are intertwined with Aztlán. We can’t wait for you to hear what we’ve created.”
On this album, you’ll find that Cabrkaaän’s new sound is an evolved, matured version of their familiar style: Folkloric elements, enchanting orchestral arrangements, operatic vocals, and heavy sounds. For “Aztlán”, Cipäktli developed orchestral elements and arrangements with the audience in mind. He says that he wants the audience to feel the message through the music, and that orchestration always adds a different atmosphere and a layer of emotion for the listener to feel and gain something valuable from.
As a whole, “Aztlán” tells different stories from Mexican history, as you will see in the lyrics and track listing. They especially focused on percussion as it is one of civilization’s first musical instruments. The album is recommended for fans of Maria Grever, Linda Ronstadt, and Megadeth.
Mais
“Aztlán” is now available as of November 17, 2023, at Cabrakaan.bandcamp.com/album/aztl-n and Spotify.
Metal Documentary – Journey to Aztlán: Heavy Metal, Folklore, and Cultural Identity – https://youtu.be/K-qC2oY5xwU
Music Video – “Mictlán” – https://youtu.be/mPLYXJBGXGI
Music Video – “Fuego” – https://youtu.be/5l0SfGbWP2I
Music Video – “La Cigarra” ft. Reed Alton (Osyron) – https://youtu.be/Bspm_V-wa3o
Track Listing:
1. Tonantzin – 3:50
2. Fuego – 5:28
3. Tlaloc – 4:01
4. Luces y Sombras – 3:51
5. Malintzin – 5:16
6. Mictlán – 4:25
7. Yolot – 5:16
8. Xóchitl – 2:42
9. La Cigarra (featuring Reed Alton) – 5:31
10. Mictlán (English Version) – 4:25
11. Fuego (English Version) – 5:28
Album Length: 50:13
Album Credits:
– Produced by Marko Cipäktli and Cody Anstey
– All songs mixed by Cody Anstey at Clarity Recording & Mixing (Osyron, Ravenous E.H., Wu-Tang Clan)
– All songs mastered by Mika Jussila at Finnvox Studios (Nightwish, Children of Bodom, Amorphis)
– All lyrics by Pat Cuikani & Marko Cipäktli
Album Band Line-up:
Pat Cuikani, Vocals
Marko Cipäktli, Drums & Rough Vocals
Alex Navarro, Lead Guitar, Rhythm Guitar
David Saldarriaga Tobón – Bass, Classical Guitar
Live Band Line-up:
Pat Cuikani, Vocals
Marko Cipäktli, Drums & Rough Vocals
Alex Navarro, Lead Guitar
Brendan Wilkinson, Rhythm Guitar
David Saldarriaga Tobón – Bass, Classical Guitar
For more info: Cabrakaan.com | Instagram.com/cabrakaan_band | Facebook.com/CABRAKAAN
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“Cabrakaan remind me of Epica, not so much because they sound like Epica, but when you listen to Epica you are kind of aware of how much is going on in the background, and it’s the same with Cabrakaan. If you really listen, there is a lot going on in these songs, all kinds of folk instruments adding to the orchestration, double tracked vocals, etc., and the sound is huge…. this is a fantastic album.” 8/10 – Power Play Magazine UK
“a solid operatic, folk metal experience” – Folk-Metal.nl
““Tonantzin,” hits the spot, setting up for a very nice introduction. Pressing all the right pressure points.” – The Median Man
“This was a great, interesting listen.” – Overtone Magazine
”In the world of metal music, where genres often blend and boundaries are pushed, there emerges a band that beautifully merges traditional folk elements with the raw power of heavy metal. Enter Cabrakaän, a Mexican folk metal band on a mission to reconnect with their ancestral roots and preserve the rich cultural heritage of Mexico.” – Infrared Magazine
“‘Aztlán’, weaves a compelling narrative of the Spanish colonization era and slavery in Mexico, infusing African and Spanish folklore into the country’s musical fabric. Named after the mythical home of the Aztecs, ‘Aztlán’ remains a mystery to this day, much like the band’s unique fusion of historical Mexican instruments and folk metal.” – Charm Music
“CABRAKAÄN has released an amazing, fun, well-written album with influences from various folk styles aligned with Death Metal. It’s definitely one of the best releases of the year in the style and the band deserves all the attention they are getting from the media and the public. 10/10” – Metal Temple (review 2019 – Cem Anahuac My Home)
“While the band may celebrate cultures that are unknown to most Canadian metal fans, Cipäktli says live performances by Cabrakaan are an immersive experience. The band, who wear face paint and costumes to conjure up the “time of the Aztecs,” like to give audiences both a visual and sonic feast.”
-Calgary Herald: “Symphonic Metal Band Cabrakaän Brings Spirit Of Ancient Mexico To Calgary”
“The use of traditional, lesser-known instruments that rarely leave Central/South America jamming along with metal instruments – in a way that would make Ozzy Osbourne in his prime proud – is the last thing Calgary expected to experience, and yet Cabrakaän is here.”
– Calgary Journal: “Cabrakaän, Calgary’s friendly neighbourhood Mexican folk metal fusion band”
