BIOGRAPHY
Origin: Porto, Portugal
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Genres: Death Metal
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Years Active: 2012 - Present
Label: Independent​
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Line up:
Dan Vesca - Vocals
Jisus Rocha - Guitar
Pedro Magalhães - Guitar
Emanuel Ribeiro - Bass
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Endorsements:
Skull Strings (FR)
Solar Guitars (SE)
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Influences: Behemoth, Neurosis, Septicflesh, Fleshgod Apocalypse,
Opeth, Mastodon, Lamb of God, Gojira.
Logo by: Jöel Martins (Titanforged Productions)​, 2020
ABSTRACT
" Sotz' are the victorious war cry of the Maya, a civilization often erroneously categorized as lost, as they survive in our collective memories through History, Legend, and Myth. Armed with the sacrificial blades of extreme metal and Mesoamerican folklore, under the ever-watchful eyes of Kukulkan himself, they bring about a message of Hope in the jaws of Despair, of a safe haven of spiritual balance inside our hearts and minds, with tales of creation and destruction, death and rebirth, as Kisin is to The Great Serpent and the Great Serpent is to Kisin.
They are the eye of the Jaguar. The sons of Tikal. The bards of Popol Vuh. Tzak Sotz'! "
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by Ricardo Pereira (Moonshade)
Full bio
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Sotz was formed in 2008, by João "Jisus" Rocha, inspired by ancient Maya civilization. The word "Sotz'" translates as "Bat" in the native language of the ancient Mayans. At the beginning, this project was designed to be an "home project" to never be released. After some pressure from Pedro Magalhães, they made it real, together.
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Between 2012 and 2015, were dedicated to completing the line-up, so in October 2017 saw the launch of the EP, "Tzak' Sotz'", which means "conjuring the spirit of the bat", with 5 original tracks released via Raising Legends Records.
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In 2018, Sotz' began his tour throughout Portugal, having been present at the Laurus Nobilis Music Famalicão 2018 festival.
Still in 2018, Sotz' released a new single titled as "Baak'", which means " Bone " in the indigenous language.
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After some changes on the line-up, Sotz' establish its best and powerful team, celebrating it with the new album titled as "Popol Vuh" - a fundamental sacred narrative that includes the myth of the Mayan creation, the exploits of the twin heroes Hunahpú and Xbalanque and spreading the cult of honor.
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Then in November 2nd, 2020, the Mexican “Dia dos muertos”, Sotz’ decided to release its first album on that date. “Popol Vuh counts with three special guests: Stefano Franceschini (Aborted and Hideous Divinity), Sérgio Pinheiro (Dark Oath) e Ricardo Pereira (Moonshade).
Along with this pandemic, Sotz' canceled some shows in 2020, but is currently planning tours for 2021.
The first confirmation for 2021 is the 31st of July, the Vagos Metal Fest 2021, the most important festival in Portugal, where bands like Emperor, Cattle Decapitation, D.R.I, Sick of it All and Kataklysm will be present.
MUSIC
TOP 20 BEST
DEATH METAL
Albums of 2020
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"Popol Vuh" was proudly selected as one of the
20 best Death Metal albums of this year!
Tzak' Sotz'
EP 2017
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Tracklist:
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01. Apocalyptic Machine
02. Within the Evil Empire
03. The End of Civilization
04. Reborn
05. Tzak' Sotz'
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All songs written by Sotz’
All lyric by Sotz’
Band logo by Hugo Barbieri
Artwork by Hugo Barbieri
Orquestral Arrangements by Sotz' & André Matos
Drums Recorded by André Matos
Recorded, mixed and mastered by André Matos (Raising Legends Records)
Popol Vuh
Album 2020
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Tracklist:
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01. Cenote
02. Oracles
06. IxChel
07. Siege of Tikal
08. Popol Vuh
09. Eye of Baalam
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All songs written by Sotz’
All lyrics by Sotz’ and Ricardo Pereira (Moonshade)
Band logo by Joël Martins (Titanforged Productions)
Artwork by Credo quia Absurdum
Orquestral Arrangements by Sotz' & Afonso Aguiar
Drums Recorded by Afonso Aguiar & Pedro Quelhas
Recorded, mixed and mastered by Afonso Aguiar (Titanforged Productions)
SPECIAL GUESTS:
Stefano Franceschini (Hideous Divinity and Aborted) - Bass feat. Tree of Knowledge
Sérgio Pinheiro (Dark Oath) - Guitar solo feat. The Eye of Baàlam Ricardo Pereira (Moonshade) - Vocal feat. Prospects of Pakal
NEWEST VIDEOCLIP
Denver Museum of Nature
and Science (USA)
Bailey Library and Archives
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As a concept band, we are honored to
have our work present at the Denver
museum.
Much more to be revealed
"There is a cinematographic character that is almost indispensable along themes like" The Return Of Kukulkan ", becoming the guiding thread throughout the ten themes. One of the best national albums of the year. Guaranteed."
9 / 10
Fernando Ferreira
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"This album constantly floods us with devastating riffs coupled with an unbridled fury that is beyond thrill for the vast majority of its ten tracks that constantly keep the listener on a thrilling journey."
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Graziano Ciccarelli
"The LP ends with "Eye of Baalam" and "Prospects of Pakal", two pieces of pure energy, where we finally have the certainty that the death metal of Sotz ', which accompanied us in this adventure in the world of the Mayan, it was a wonderful discovery of musicians skilled in creating not only persuasive landscapes through music, but also expressive melodies worthy of being able to represent a civilization that still has a lot to say to us."
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8.5 / 10
Francesca Mancini
′′ The Portuguese band manages to create something very personal, thanks especially to the technical skills of the musicians in play ".
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8 / 10
"A Portuguese band influenced by the ancient Mayan culture, that is, the pre-Hispanic one of the south.
Their sound is that of a technical Death Metal band with a lot of power and harmony, it has a very interesting riff riffs typical of a quite mature and modern band."
8 / 10
"Death metal inspired by the Mayan civilization? The nationals SOTZ' promise to surprise you with their debut album."
The Return of Kukulkan
lYricvideo
REVIEWs
CONTACTS
MANAGEMENT
TUGA GESSO
+351 931395757
Booking Management
Amazing Artists Agency
TUGA GESSO
+351 931395757
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TECHNICAL RIDER