Xibalba

Translating to "to the death," Hasta La Muerte is both the title of Xibalba's new album and the fervour with which listeners will mosh when hearing it. While that may be hyperbole, it's not without its merits, as Hasta La Muerte is one of the heaviest albums of 2012, with its sludgy, death metal-influenced take on hardcore. The doomy tones propel the riffs and two-steps beyond your typical hardcore album, while the sludgy beat downs and vocals push it into another realm entirely. The album offers only brief respites, with the melodic "Mala Mujer" and multiple, tribal-esque drum build-ups that, while annoying in their frequency, allow a rest before the ensuing pounding. A re-recorded "Cold," now featuring a two-minute droning doom intro courtesy of Sunn O)))'s Greg Anderson and crushing ending breakdown, closes the album with a fury even greater than the original. The mantra repeated in "No Serenity" ("No soul, no identity, no peace, no serenity") is only partially true because although Xibalba have developed their identity, there will definitely be no peace or serenity while Hasta La Muerte plays.