“Let me begin by saying there’s at least five bands of varying quality slinging the “Ehecatl” moniker. This one happens to be the best. In the Aztec pantheon, Ehecatl was the god of the wind. Like many pre-Christian cultures, different names were sometimes given to aspects of the same deity. In Germanic lore, Odin had literally hundreds of names. Here Ehecatl is a form of the creator god Quetzalcóatl, from who all life began. Aztec and Mayan folklore have become a prominent fixture in extreme metal over the past few years. Just look at the roster of bands associated with the Black Twilight Circle and more subtly by the likes of Lluvia. Hailing from Oakland, CA, Ehecatl are more obscure, sometimes sharing bills with the above mentioned bands. I’m sure that’s destined to change.
Originally released in 2015 via the groups Bandcamp page, this demo finally receives a well-deserved physical manifestation thanks to the ever eclectic Portland label GreySun Records. The album begins as there namesake, an ambient tempest building in the distance, ethereal strains of flute and the bellowing of synthetic horns until the first blast of “Ollin Tlatikpa Llukayou Chaos (Procession to the Cosmic Chaos) comes lumbering in, threatening and proud as The Shorn Ones through the marshes. Mesmerizing, shimmering guitars give way to bass and drum that hints at tribal rhythms. Mid-paced in the beginning, only to become a wall of scarcely contained pandemonium. Anguished vocals and a hint of low-end synth creeping along the undercurrent round out the mix.
Without so much as a breath it’s on to “Ixayotl Yaoyotl (Call of War)”. The drum and bass here are more intently focused on indigenous cadence, but still fitting into the structure of traditional Black Metal, whatever that is. It just seems to pair well. The synth work is bit more prominent and works well within the context of the track. Ehecatl are similar in style to the above mentioned Lluvia, with a bit more aggression. The execution is furious in intensity, yet as cold as the peaks of Popocatépetl.
Limited to 100 copies and going for a meager $7, this is one of those demos you will kick yourself for not grabbing when you had the chance.”
Last on the list are
GreySun t shirts and the Tzompantli ‘Zine.
There were a small batch of shirts made this fall. When I say small, I mean small.
I have always thought the “logo” would look cool on a t shirt or patch,so I decided to get a few made.
Issue one is in the works. More info will be available later on this year.After the completion of Sempervirens ‘Zine No.1 , I wanted to focus more on tapes. I have decided to try doing a much smaller ‘zine that is possibly focused on some of the bands I have worked with. Its in the very early stages and thats all I will say about it now.
There are new GreySun tapes coming, as well as a limited slection of new(ish)distro tapes.
Previously only available on cd or digital formats.
The first time I heard this demo, I was hooked,I play it often,and I am proud to have a hand in releasing this recording on tape.
Ehecatl-Quetzallitztly GSR024 edition of 100 tapes,first 50 come with a small poster, this tape should be avaiable in August. They will for sale at greysunrecords.storenvy.com , as well as from the band.
This was a more or less a gift to my friends, Leadeater.
The 2 sided j card was something that I put together from photos thet were taken by Leadeater,printed on a metallic silver pearl stock. I was pretty sick while doing the layout, and managed to let a typing error sneak past me. My mistake.
For those that did not get the tape, the songs have been (and still are)available on bandcamp at a name your own price,weeks before the tape was even done.
Solace will be on the road for a bit with Horse Cult(A.K.M. also will be playing harp with Horse Cult). Solace tapes are sold out from the label at this time,Solcace will be selling copies while on tour. I am not sure if we will be doing a 3 rd edition so,If you have the chance to attend one,or a couple of shows, you should,and pick up a tape while you can.
The Long awaited A.L.N. cs is fianlly ready and availble.
A jounreny into the musical past of the man behind Mizmor.
ALN “Iyov” comes in an edition of 150 cassettes.
Each tape is enshrouded in an ALN patch that covers
the Norelco o-card sleeve.
Inside the case one will find a cs sized art “zine” and explination of the songs that grace the cassette.
(O-card and art zine are printed on a pearl metalic stock.)
GreySun,A.L.N. and, Sara Ray spent several hours meticoulsly ,cutting,stapling,gluing and assembling this cassette and the finished product is one to go down in the books. Don’t take my word though,get one while you can.
GreySun will be the only only Stateside outlet for this release until A.L.N. returns from the European Hell Tour.
This recording came to me via e mail from James of Leadeater.
I took one listen to Oxalis,and I was instantly taken in.
Words can’t describe the ride that I was taken on while listening to Oxalis, I enjoyed this recording so much, that I played it over and over, while working and driving.
Released in an edition of 100 hand numbered tapes.
#1-50 come are encased in a clover stamped norelco case o card(#1-10 feature
a metallic gold j-card).
Peviously released on two sepreate cd-r runs,this cassette will be the final resting place for Oxalis.
Artwork for the j-card is a collaboration between Joseph Cendejas and B. Marie.
On may 30th,2014 Sutekh Hexen performed with several other bands at the Wisp House in Salem,Oregon.
It was early on may 31st 2014, sleep had settled over the neighborhood. The party was winding down,the house had become quiet,except for a few people having conversations here and there.
I was preparing my thermarest and ,thinking about how nice my sleeping bag was going to be,when I heard sounds starting to emerge from the basement,again. I looked at my “bed” and started rummaging through my pack for my recorder. I put some fresh batteries in it,and grabbed the last of my beers,and looked at my phone, “I should be sleeping” I thought to myslef as I opened another beer,and sat down on the stairs,and pushed record. One by one each of the guys came came downstairs to join Kevin. Its not often one gets to see a band that they really admire create music instead of performing a set(while on tour). I felt privileged to have witnessed Sutekh Hexen doing what they do best.
This recording has been in a pre production phase for quite some time,and will be available on cassette from GreySun Records soon. Stay tuned for more information.
Leadeater-Oxalis cs
