people of the blaze

Good morning, and welcome back to WMW, It's Joshua and I'm here to provide music with a uniqueness that can only be found by scouring spotify at 6 in the morning while looking for the coolest album art (a genuinely great way to find new music btw!!! I used to spend hours scouring used CD's at Weebee's in Wausau just looking for amazing art that lead to discovering some crazy cool bands!)

Let me ask you a hypothetical: Have you ever wondered "Boy, I sure do wonder what the mixture of death metal and Salsa music would sound like? Such a combination is surely impossible!" you might think.

HA, WHAT A FOOL YOU HYPOTHETICALLY ARE!!!

Introducing the band called Acrania with a track called "People of the Blaze". Acrania (not to be confused with Acrania) hails from Mexico City, playing death-thrash influenced by Latin jazz and dance. And oh my goodness, this genre smash is incredibly fun to listen to!  I was initially drawn to the album art: a mountain lion clawing and biting its way out of the stomach of a snake, not many things can top that on the badassery scale! 

The music itself is fast-paced with harsh vocals and a excited, almost party-esque tone. In addition to your typical guitar-bass-drums, the instruments featured include a saxophone, trumpet, and bongos which gives the song an extra flare that you just can't find in most other metal. The opening sounds fairly typical at first, but shortly pauses to give space to the trumpet and saxophone, adding the Latin flare that makes this song so special! However, the upbeat tone of the song doesn't compromise the overall heaviness, allowing for a beautiful juxtaposition of sound that makes you want to headbang while you dance. 

The lyrics are interesting, and the theme likely take on multiple meanings.

"Beating and Lying

Unconsciousness feeds on fear and nonce

Unwritten history is tattooed on us

Murder and Crying

Stars remain appearing face to face Reminding us who we are

People of the blaze"

From this section, the meaning takes on a feeling of a bitter memory, perhaps eluding to abuse of native Mexicans from European colonists? Or maybe something much more recent and personal, like someone and their family suffering at the hands of someone more powerful than them.

Another possibility is a more general observation of human beings' struggle for survival through time, and the unfeeling brutality of nature.  Personally, I think the first option is the most likely, as it is the most connected to the lyrical themes.  I guarantee that you have never listened to something like this before (I definitely haven't!)

It might not be everyone's cup of tea, but damn it if it isn't creative as hell! Let me know what you think! 

Thank you for hanging out in the chaos that is Joshua's Wacky Music Wednesdays! I'll be sure to share more with you in 7 days time, and I promise it'll be anything but UN-WACKY.... wait.. right?