Laftrache - Voces Ancestrales

Artist: Laftrache

Album: Voces Ancestrales

Label: Kuyen Prod

Year: 2015

Country: Chile

Genre: Black Metal

Laftrache are black metal band from Villa Alemana, Chile. This is their debut demo. First we have   the track "Contra El Que Porte El Cruz" an anti-christian anthem. The song start with the resonant chime of a singing bowl, then wastes no times getting into a succession of powerful, thick old school black metal riffing that would make Tom G Warrior proud. The band does not stay at a mid-tempo stomp though, introducing a series of riffs that are very inline with the frost-bitten sounds of Darkthrone. 

The second track "El Clamor Selknam" is where the indigenous roots of the band shine. Inspired by the indigenous people of the Patagonian region, the song starts with a malevolent chord progression and a short spoken word sample of a native Selknam speaking woman Ona, as well as the sound of the Trutruca, a trumpet like instrument invented by the Mapuche made from colihue wood and cattle horn, and a trompe mouth harp. The band uses these instruments to build up the atmosphere before exploding into a merciless black metal attack that slows retreats to the same chord progression the song started with. This is a short but powerful demo, solidifying Laftrache as name to keep on eye on for those interested in metal from Chile and metal bands that pay tribute to their indigenous ancestors

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Kūka'ilimoku - Ka Hui Hawai'i Aloha 'Āina

Artist: Kūka'ilimoku

Album:  Ka Hui Hawai'i Aloha 'Āina 

Label: Self-Released

Year: 2020

Country: USA

 Genre: Black Metal/Punk

Kūka'ilimoku is a one-man band based out of Hawai'i, playing a blistering take on the sound pioneered by Ildjarn. The band is named after the Hawai'ian god of war, which combined with the band's declaration of intent, "Kūka'ilimoku is boundless disgust and hatred of all who leech to sacred lands of Hawai’i",  gives the listener a good idea of why this music is so teeming with rage.  Though lyrics aren't available online, this release is clearly about the history of the overthrow of the Kingdom of Hawai'i, with the album's title being an allusion to the sibling nationalist organizations formed by native Hawai'ians to defend their home from annexation. 

The demo opens with hissing feedback and a simple but sinister chord progression before forming into a quick barrage of black metal blasting, then quickly switching to a stomping punk riff, setting the tone for what to expect from Kūka'ilimoku's violent fusion of black metal and punk. The track's title translate to steadfast and is a reference to Queen Lili'okalani's motto "E’onipa’a i ka 'imi na’auao" which means "Be steadfast in the seeking of knowledge." 

Some tracks, like the bombastic "1893" and brooding "1898" allude to the years Hawai'i was overthrown and then later annexed. Other tracks describe the outcome of the event like the cultivation of "Hawai'an Sugarcane" on plantations which were created by people who easily fit the description of "European Rubbish". Overall this demo isn't just brutal assault of seriously kick ass riffs, but is also a great history lesson for any curious listener who wants to do a little research. I heavily recommend checking out this demo, as well the rest of the material they're released in the short time they've been active. 

"For children of Hawai'i both native and from sugarcane day who loved and fought for Hawai'i to be governed by those who had her best interests in mind. Death to all missionaries and rotten politicians."