TRACKLIST

1. Muwan. . . .6:04 2. Kumk'u . . .6:48 3. Uayeb. . . .6:49 4. K'ank'in . .6:42 5. Sotz . . . .7:16 6. K'ayab . . .6:12 7. Yaxk'in. . .6:44 8. Xul. . . . .6:54

Tzolk'in is a collaboration between Empusae and Flint Glass, artists who are known in the fields of Dark Ambient, contemporary Ritualistic Tribal music and experimental Electronica. This project is a conceptual creation inspired by Mayan mythology and the ancient Mayan astrological calendar of the same name. From the beginning their approach to sound resulted in quite a few novel musical perspectives : The merging of Empusae's distinct dark, oppressive and brooding soundscapes and Flint Glass's characteristic rhythmic and ambient compositions ( which are seemingly subject to an almost alien purpose and theme ). The final product is majestic and epic, often martial and bellicose, with a sense of tragedy that at times is even quite meditative. Tzolk'in can easily be viewed as an exotic soundtrack to the phantoms of a dead civilization or more simply put, music that is inspired by a doomed Mayan divination system. On their first self-titled release, Empusae and Flint Glass chose eight periods of the Tzolk'in calendar and on "Haab'" they describe eight periods of the Mayan solar year. Ceremonious, deep tones merge with the power and strength of industrial music - kept together by elaborate impulsive ritual rhythms that enhance the atmosphere of a flourishing culture. An abyssal, haunting cycle of tribal sound, constructed so that the listener can dive into a bygone era.

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After a remarkable debut-release on Divine Comedy, Tzolk’in now joined Ant-Zen to release the "Haab" album. Inspired by the eight periods of the Mayan solar year, Tzolk’In remains an interesting conceptual project between Sal-Ocin (Empusae, This Morn’ Omina) and Gwenn Trémorin (Flint Glass and the owner of Brume Records). Musical wise they combine the rhythmic of Sal-Ocin and the darker ambient content of Gwenn Trémorin. Tzolk’in have a very own and particular sound with a strong and rather ritual rhythmic mixed with soundtrack atmospheres. The ambient side is rather cold and with a very powerful visual effect. The tracklist of the album is quite interesting for the way the last 2 songs (and especially "Yaxk’in" ("Green Sun") are reaching a real apotheosis. There’s an impressive trance-ritual touch running to both cuts. The previous songs don’t have a similar trance effect, but the ritual character of the rhythmic and mysterious ambient vibes are leading the listener in an imaginary inner vision. The only regret (if there’s one) is maybe the absence of a few spoken samplings or real voices, which in a spooky way would bring this album to an absolute pagan masterpiece. The first part of "Haab’" is dominated by tracks like "Kumk’u" ("Cosmic Disorder"), "Uayeb" ("Five Days Of Godless Chaos") and "Sotz" (Governed By Death"). This is a real great new release from this Belgian-French project!