photos by Dillon Cruz
TZOMPANTLI, the traditional/indigenous metal collective spearheaded by Xibalba guitarist Brian Itztlakamayeh Ortiz, today unveils a unique new EP, Temilotzin, released specifically for Indigenous Peoples’ Day on 20 Buck Spin.
Temilotzin is a special release to coincide with Indigenous Peoples’ Day in 2026, showcasing the traditional music side that seeps into the death doom of TZOMPANTLI in its full effect. Temilotzin can also be seen as a prelude to the forthcoming third TZOMPANTLI album to come in 2027. A calm before the storm. All tracks on Temilotzin are exclusive to this release and will not appear on the next album.
The TZOMPANTLI Tribe on Temilotzin encompasses Brian Itztlakamayeh Ortiz, Manzig Yohualli Sanchez, Eric Cuillotic Delgado, Mateotl Boughton, Jason Katulu Brunes, Erol Ulug, Alejandro Aranda, Mateotl Gonzalez, and Justin Ton. Temilotzin includes drums, huehuetls, and other percussion performed by Alejandro Aranda, Jason Brunes, Mateotl Gonzalez, Oscar Ortiz, and Brian Ortiz, death whistles and flutes performed by Brian Ortiz, shells, shakers, and guiros performed by Brian Ortiz and Alejandro Aranda, guitars and bass performed by Brian Ortiz, Erol Ulug, and Matt Boughton, with vocals performed by Brian Ortiz and backing vocals from Jason Brunes, Erol Ulug, and Alejandro Aranda.
The artwork for Temilotzin was created by Antonio Hdz and the logo used on the EP by Brian Nicolás-Espinoza and Hugo Silva.
With the EP’s release, Ortiz states, “Happy Indigenous Peoples’ Day. Today, we want to honor Indigenous peoples everywhere by sharing our new EP, Temilotzin. This recording leans into the more traditional folk side of TZOMPANTLI. It is acoustic and sung entirely in Náhuatl, with many of the lyrics drawn from the words of Náhuatl warrior-poets.
“This release is deeply personal. Not only was it written to pay homage to our ancestors and Indigenous peoples, but also in the aftermath of losing my best friend and dog, Soprano, along with other family and friends who would begin their next journey. We chose to name the EP after Temilotzin, a warrior-poet remembered for his poem about friendship and for his close friendship with Cuauhtémoc, the last Mexica emperor.
“May our ancestors, family, and friends remain close. May their voices endure. May we continue to remember.”
Expect TZOMPANTLI’s third LP to reflect the band’s fusion of traditional elements and decimating death doom the band is known for. Details on the LP will be issued in early 2027.
TZOMPANTLI’s Temilotzin is now available on Bandcamp as a pay what you want release for this week HERE and on all other streaming platforms.
Temilotzin Track Listing:
1. Temilotzin
2. Xolotl
3. Nitlayocoya
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