Year: 2021
Total Time: 42:16
Label: Death Kvlt Productions
PAN-AMERIKAN NATIVE FRONT (PANF) is the Black Metal project of the Mexican “Kurator of War” (real name Alan Avitia) and was formed six years ago in Illinois (Chicago) of the United States of America. In 2016, their debut “Tecumseh’s War” was released and made some noise in the underground scene, while the next release was the amazing split with IFERNACH in 2020. Being inspired and in increased compositional productivity, Kurator, a few months after the split, presents us his second album entitled “Little Turtle’s War” and transports us to the battlefield of the Wabash River in 1791 and the triumph of the Indians against the American Military.
From their first years, PAN-AMERIKAN NATIVE FRONT’s statement had a unique, vengeful I would say, message through their lyrics, artwork and music. As much anger and rage they portray in the songs with their Black Metal sound influenced mainly by MAYHEM, DARKTHRONE and BATHORY, so much emotion emanates from the lyrics and overall atmosphere. The new album is no exception, like their debut and last year’s split, as they praise the victories and the battles fought by the Indians to prevent their premeditated genocide by the Americans. Few years ago, Native Americans were presented as bloodthirsty villains, but now PANF, with their personal Black Metal vision and traditional Indian folk elements, are coming to teach us history lessons and crush this propaganda so that no sacrifice will be forgotten.
The executant brutality, the furious rhythms with the unique compositions, the harsh lyrics and the angry riffs, reminiscent of the rage with which the leader of the Miami-Michikiniqua tribe, otherwise known as “Little Turtle” faced and defeated the American army, all transfuse a distinct personality to the band. The vocals are completely eerie like Kurator is singing in the depths of some dark cave, which makes a lot of sense because the vocals were recorded in a cabin an hour from the battlefield (present Ohio). A battle where the amazing “Battle Of The Wabash” could be the ideal soundtrack with its brutality and sinister melody. The “Power of the Calumet Dance” with its war dynamic takes us to the ceremonial dance of the Indians, where the tribes bury the hatchet and unite against the common enemy. “Michikiniqua’s Triumph” impresses with its groove, Punk/Black Metal aesthetic and chilling ending with a traditional Indian ceremonial sound. Finally, “nakaaniaki meehkweelimakinciki”, which translates to “we remember the old ones”, in its nine minutes manages to capture PANF’s intriguing peculiarities.
“Kurator of War”, motivated and inspired by the ancient spirits, presents a stormy album of triumphant “Indian” Black Metal with music born from earth and offered back to earth. A Black Metal creation sharper and more dynamic than the, also excellent, debut album. This metal music genre has always been involved with “forbidden” themes. It began in the early 90s with references to the violent christianization of Europe’s population and the elimination of their culture and continues now with PANF and the genocide of the native Americans and the subsequent devastation of their culture. Kurator’s passion turns into rage as he offers us magical Black Metal moments by guiding us through the centuries of colonialism and post-colonial occupation, shouting proudly with “Little Turtle’s War” for solidarity within all indigenous nations!
Rating: 8/10
Editor: Nikos Manousis
Related Link: PAN AMERIKAN NATIVE FRONT – Facebook Page
