TECUHTLI (CEMICAN): “We Compose Without Rules”

Mexican folk metal band Cemican have just released their fourth album entitled U k’u’uk’ankil Mayakaaj. Cemican’s vocalist/guitarist Tecuhtli spoke with Metal Express Radio about Cemican’s latest album, standing out in the music scene in Mexico, singing their songs in Mayan, and more. Check out the chat below!

Metal Express Radio: Cemican have just released their fourth album entitled U k’u’uk’ankil Mayakaaj, what can you tell fans about your latest release?

Tecuhtli: This new release is entirely dedicated to Mayan culture. As the album title suggests, it’s “The Mayan Resurgence.” We aim to share aspects of our ancestral culture through legends, true stories, and even authentic lyrics with very special dedications, all infused with that ancestral touch. Several songs are sung in Mayan to further emphasize the heart of the sound, imbued with warrior spirit and mysticism. You’ll also find a touch of aggression in the album, while other songs offer a more tranquil feel.

MER: How was the writing and recording process, being your fourth album?

Tecuhtli: We compose without rules. Some songs are based on a main riff, others are composed using pre-existing lyrics, and some are even based on an ocarina riff or other indigenous instrument. We also have no limitations regarding whether the song sounds like death metal, progressive, power metal, or folk. We compose according to the feeling we have at the moment. In the recording process, we always record the pre-Hispanic instruments last to ensure perfect tuning of the ocarinas or any other instrument.

MER: U k’u’uk’ankil Mayakaaj is your first album in six years, what did you and the rest of Cemican do during that time?

Tecuhtli: During the rest of the time, several members went through very difficult personal and family situations, and the pandemic was a tough few years. Afterward, we played several shows outside of Mexico, in Europe, Central America, South America, etc.

MER: U k’u’uk’ankil Mayakaaj was released on October 31st, what kind of feedback have you received? 

Tecuhtli: We’ve had a great response due to the new sound on this album, which is also completely open to various styles of metal and folk. We have a heavier sound and songs that are full of feeling. Many people had already pre-ordered the album on CD and vinyl.

MER: What do you see as plans for yourself and Cemican for the rest of the year, and into 2026?

Tecuhtli: We have some upcoming events in various Mexican states, and we’ll start planning next year’s rituals with a new show based on our latest album.

MER: Is there anyone you hope to tour with and why? 

Tecuhtli: There are actually many, and it’s hard to say how many. Obviously, we’d like to tour with stadium-filling bands like Iron Maiden, Metallica, etc., but there are many underground bands we like, not just folk metal. We’d love a world tour with Dimmu Borgir because of that dark edge we enjoy, but we’ve already toured with bands like Amon Amarth, Arcturus, Ensiferum, Rotting Christ, Eluveitie, Korplikanni, and many more.

MER: Is there anywhere you hope to play live that you haven’t yet and why?

Tecuhtli: Perhaps festivals, because of the huge audience and the chance to gain many devoted fans, like Graspop in Belgium, Polanandrock in Poland, a tour of the United States, Asia, and continuing to tour the world.

MER: How would you describe the music scene in Mexico? 

Tecuhtli: The Mexican music scene is very good because there are more and more bands and different styles every day, but perhaps for now there’s very little support from Mexicans for Mexican bands themselves, including promoters. There’s a slight drop in the number of people at shows, especially for Mexican bands.

MER: Would you say that Cemican stands out from most band’s that come from Mexico? 

Tecuhtli: Yes, because over the years we’ve developed a very unique sound. There were already bands mixing pre-Hispanic instruments, but our sound was refined to create something that identifies Cemican.

MER: What have been some of your favorite releases of 2025?

Tecuhtli: Mainly our album, because we were solely focused on it and working on it. Perhaps we lost track of time a bit because we couldn’t remember the names of our 2025 albums.

MER: Out of your band’s four albums, what is one you would recommend to a new fan and why? 

Tecuhtli: Of the four, I would recommend this latest album because of its sound, which is open to various styles. It’s a clearer sound, full of punch. The lyrics have a lot of feeling, and we feel that from beginning to end it transports you to Mayan mysticism. Furthermore, the indigenous instruments are more refined; they are great compositions.