Ancients

"Ancients" is a compilation of the early recordings by Xibalba (a.k.a. the true Xibalba, or Xibalba Itzaes): the first four songs are taken from their "In Lucescitae Tristis Hiei" demo (1992), and the rest from "The Crown of Plumes" reh-demo (1994). This collection was originally released back in 2007 by Guttural Records, a year later Nuclear War Now! Productions unleashed the vinyl version of "Ancients", and this year NWN! will re-release this material on vinyl again. The compilation has indeed both cultural and historical value – it is canonical raw black / thrash metal on which the black metal cult is based today.

Beyond a shadow of a doubt, from a musical point of view, the first track, "Furor Antiquus", is the most significant composition here. The impression is that at the time of the demo recording this primitive but very atmospheric song was the most mature of the rest, so it is no wonder that it was included in the debut album "Ah Dzam Poop Ek" (1994) practically unchanged. The second riff (from 2:50) is a real gem: definitely inspired by Celtic Frost, it is groovy and gloomy like the grin of a dead ancient god who knows that sooner or later he will return.

The remaining three songs are more wild, chaotic and primitive than the first one. "Caveae Ex Cuzivan" is built on two riffs, and with its blast beat wall that blazes through everything in its path, it is a harbinger of what Gorgoroth will do in 1996 in the fast section of their monumental "Possessed (By Satan)". "Tectum Finatum" has the same structure as "Furor Antiquus", i. e. transitions from one riff to another are going through a long chord fade-out, but this "manoeuvre" seems even more primitive here. The most interesting riff is the opening (and also closing) one, completely in the spirit of Profanatica. The beginning of "In Lucescitae Tristis Hiei" almost duplicates the opening drum part of "Ea, Lord of the Depths" by Burzum, but alas, then an almost punk grunting bass enters, although the guitar sounds no better. Somewhere after the 1:30 mark the riff begins to develop according to a black metal pattern, and to be honest, this change saves the minimalistic composition.

"In Lucescitae Tristis Hiei" demo was recorded, of course, more radically than "Ah Dzam Poop Ek": the guitar sound is very raw and gritty, in their turn solos sound cavernous, while the drums are shattering (the snare especially, it is so crisp) – maybe this recording sounds more like an old thrash metal demo, well, there is a lack of high-frequency sharpness here to be a "pure" black metal sound.

Surprisingly, the production on "The Crown of Plumes" rehearsal recording is not the worst. However, despite the fact that the recording took place two years after the demo, the material here is mostly some kind of vandalic thrash metal in the spirit of early Korrozia Metalla. At least the first song, "The Crown of Plumes", sounds almost like "СПИД" ("AIDS") – just two riffs, a ragged guitar sound, chaotic drums. The songs give the impression of sketches rather than elaborate compositions. It may well be true: "Itzam Na Send a Storm" was also included on "Ah Dzam Poop Ek", but in contrast to "Furor Antiquus", it can only be recognized with difficulty. Yes, this song has been revised, shall we say. And the last song, "Return to Outerwisdom", was absorbed by "Itzam Na Send a Storm" on the album, too, but in slow motion.

In general, "Ancients" is a kind of historical document, intended for fans of the basement old schoolness. You will not learn anything new from this work, but, perhaps, it will give you some pleasure.

The Metal Observer