Xibalba "Xibalba" 2011

Artist: Xibalba
Album: Xibalba
Genre: Beatdown Hardcore

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Tracklist:

1. Bright Sun
2. Madre Mia
3. Never Kneel
4. Fallen
5. Time's Up
6. We Deserve To Die
7. Red
8. Obituary
9. Cold
10. Cursed
11. Spanish Harlem
12. Salvation

Last.fm: Xibalba is a Heavy Hardcore/Metal band from Pomona California. They are influenced by Disembodied, Morbid Angel, Martyr A.D., Santa Sangre, Bloodlet, Obituary, Crowbar, Unbroken, Earth Crisis, Downset, Overcast, and Sepultura.

Overall Sound: Heavy Hardcore? I personally haven’t seen that description before but either way, Xibalba’s sound can be summed up with one word….”IMMENSE” because it has been a long time since I have listened to a band in their genre who’s entire cd is just oozing anger this much. Xibalba’s new album is by far a top notch release from the genre of Beatdown this year. Their overall sound is down-tuned guitars mixed with harsh vocals which is nothing new to the genre but yet remains fresh in the same instance.

Guitar:  Down-tuned and pissed off is the best way to describe the guitars. Even though it seems it has been done before (which is has I know) it is still very enjoyable if you like this style of music. The last album like this I listened to if I am not mistaken was “Vow of Hatred’s Vow of Hatred” from last year which in every way is as good.

Bass: The Bass adds another great element for this band but you can feel it more than hear it if that makes any sense at all. It is basically drowned out

Drums:  Extremely too high in the mix unfortunately, but good none-the-less. The cymbals it seems weren’t mixed to be slightly below the guitar or of the same volume. So more often than not you hear the Crash cymbals hit way over the guitar which I find a bit…meh but then again others would agree that might be a central theme they enjoy about it. Donno maybe it is just me.

Vocals/Lyrics:  I love, love, love the vocals which is all harshly shouted in the entire album like many Beatdown bands. Unfortunately the lyrics take a back seat though which sucks because I had higher hopes for them after listening to this album about three times. Central themes discussed are as assumed for Beatdown bands which again…..i had higher hopes for but I guess the vocal delivery for me wins over the lyrics even though I normally spend more time trying to figure out the lyrics, but I’m at least thankful it is not in German or Russian like most Beatdown I listen too.

Overall Impression: I love the cd besides the minor nuisances I find that annoy me. For example, The movie samples between transitions are pretty unnecessary I think because the guitar would have carried the mood just fine and little stuff like the end of obituary where the guitar is all clean, just it’s a dumb idea I thought but again like I said people are probably like wow that’s so innovative or I enjoyed that, I thought it was pointless that’s all. Either way it’s a great Beatdown cd if you want pure, pissed off, American Beatdown!
 

Rating:  8.5/10

Xibalba (Full Set) from hate5six on Vimeo.