“We present our first single from will be our next album, dedicated completely to the Mayan culture.”The Guadalajara-based Aztec folk metal group CEMICAN – hailed by Revolver as “an ancient Mexican answer to The Hu or Heilung” – return with their first new music in 4 years. Anticipated and anxiously awaited CEMICAN return with a brand-new song “KUKULKÁN WAKAH CHAN” and its corresponding entrancing music video, directed by Jobo Panteras.
This is the first treat from the band’s next album, which they continue to record through December, and is expected out summer 2025.
“WARRIORS! We're thrilled to share this new preview of our upcoming album, inspired by the magnificent Maya culture. Once again, we've decided to pay a respectful tribute to this important culture, having previously explored it with our 2021 single ‘Yook'ol Kaab Maya.’ Five long years since our last album, we can confidently say it hasn't been easy returning to the studio. Various circumstances related to our personal commitments, individual struggles, and the pandemic that unfortunately took away our peace and taught us to adapt to a new way of living. But in the end, Cemican is back, ready to gaze up at the sky and take you on an astral journey through our music.”
The music of CEMICAN – whose name means “the duality of life and death” in the Aztecan language of Nahuatl (spoken by 2 million people in Central Mexico) – incorporates elements of the legends, mysticism and ideologies of ancient Mexican culture. Compared by Revolver to “Slipknot scoring Mel Gibson's 'Apocalypto,’” while praised by Brooklyn Vegan for “combining indigenous instrumentation with Headbanger's Ball-worthy riffage” the group combine the modern instrumentation of a metal band with traditional pre-Hispanic instruments.
Since releasing their third album, ‘In Ohtli Teoyohtica In Miquiztli,’ in 2019, and M-Theory Audio debut, CEMICAN have performed alongside some of metal's top names (Amon Amarth, Korpiklaani, Ensiferum, Eluveitie, etc.) in their native Mexico. In addition, the six-piece group became a regular fixture of European festivals like France’s Hellfest and the Paris edition of Download Festival, Germany's Wacken Open Air, Spain’s Resurrection Fest and Leyendas Del Rock, as well multiple festival performances in their homeland - Hell & Heaven Fest, Force Fest, Mexico Metal Fest, Dragon Rojo Fest, Tattoo Fest, Knotfest and countless more – as well as appearances in Central and South America. CEMICAN have received regular airplay on Sirius XM Liquid Metal, and composed an original song, “Yóok 'ol kaab Maya,” for the Adult Swim network. 2025 will mark their first US shows and more opportunities and breakthroughs are in store for the extremely original, creative and epic act.
Upcoming CEMICAN live performances:
6/6 - SinWave - Las Vegas, NV
6/7 - Leonardos HP - Los Angeles, CA
6/8 - Rockapulco - San Francisco, CA
6/19 - San Pedro Sula, Honduras
6/21 - CA5 Metal Fest - San Salvador, El Salvador
6/22 - San Jose, Costa Rica
"In the wind, the serpent awakens,
Kukulkan reborn, dancing shadow and light.
Among the pyramids, his power is unleashed,
The whisper of the gods, in my heart beats."
CEMICAN is:
Tlipoca – Drums
Tecuhtli – Guitar/vocals
Ocelotl – Bass/backing vocals
Itzcoatl - Choirs & Performance
Yei Tochtli – Pre-Hispanic Instruments
Mazatecpatl – Pre-Hispanic Instruments
Xaman-Ek – Rituals/Dance/Pre-Hispanic Instruments
For more information:
