The Folk Metal genre is full of great bands but, unfortunately, a lot of the sounds represented by these bands tend to run together and everything becomes kind of the same in sound, if not execution.  CEMICAN is definitely something different for the subgenre.  First, they are more aggressive than most other Folk Metal bands.  Often times, this band injects elements of Thrash and Melodic Death into their sound as well.

CEMICAN come from Mexico to bring about what is called Aztec Folk Metal; the lyrics are in the Aztecan language of Nahuatl.  Their music incorporates elements of legends, and ideologies of the ancient Mexican culture.  Their third full length album, "In Ohtli Teoyohtica In Miquiztli" further explores those themes and the title is reference to fallen warriors to travel to the Aztec underworld of Mictlan. Obviously, the bands musical themes are interesting but how does it sound?  In short, it sounds badass.

The opening track, "Guerreros de Cemican," starts with what sounds like natives about to go into battle, or already in one.  After a battle cry, the band kicks into gear with guitars and drums way too heavy to be just labeled Folk or Power Metal.  These moments in the song are fast, heavy, and hit hard.  The solos are especially Thrash oriented.  The wind instruments come into play, but they don't come off as corny or distracting; they blend in exceptionally well with the Metal parts of the band.  I find this song, and the album as a whole, really represents a true mix of Folk and Metal-to the point that if either element were removed from these songs, they would probably be unsustainable.

Track three, "Itlach In Mictlantecuhtli" is a straight up beast of a track. Listen to those riffs and tell me they aren't part Thrash and I'll call you a liar.  Vocally, Tecuhtli rides the line between heavy cleans and Death Metal, though often times he does in fact stay within the DM realm.  The middle portion of the song is a ride thru Melodic Metal territory and adds a whole new dimension to the song.

Although the bulk of the songs are longer, the band isn't afraid to get a bit more focused with short, energetic boughts.  "Ritual," is one such song and takes a more Melodic Death stance this time around but the Folk elements still help keep the band grounded in their Aztec goals. "El respiro de la tierra (Tlatecuhtli)" is what ELUVEITIE would sound like if they were fed a daily dose of gun powder and steroids. The verses are downright brutal but the chorus is more of a Folk like group chant that is catchy as hell. The song has sudden bursts of energy, led by the drums that sound like an army of galloping horses, that are almost frightening in their quick fury.

One of the later tracks, "Tzitzimime (Danza de los huesos)" is what CHILDREN OF BODOM might sound like if they hung out with JETHRO TULL and/or lived in the woods for too long.  This is one of the best tracks on the album and very well balanced—this is another song that really encompasses what the band is all about. This album, and the band themselves, are a very pleasant surprise and just what the Folk Metal scene needs.  Fans of aggressive music will enjoy this one, even if you have no interest at all in Folk anything.