This week Sonny sat down with Bigg Brian Ortiz, driving force behind the breakout indigenous death doom outfit Tzompantli. Tzompantli's album "Beating The Drums of Ancestral Force" was one of the hardest releases of 2024 so we're stoked to get to chat to the man. We delve into the cultural influences that shape Ortiz's music, particularly the incorporation of indigenous folklore and themes. The discussion also touches on the dynamics of live performances, the challenges of touring with a large band, and Ortiz's personal interests outside of music, including movies and hobbies. Thanks so much to Brian for hanging out, this ruled. Cheers! check out Tzompantli's music here: @20buckspinlabel https://20buckspin.bandcamp.com/album/beating-the-drums-of-ancestral-force https://www.instagram.com/tzompantlidoom/?hl=en https://x.com/tzompantlidoom?lang=en Chapters 00:00 Introduction and LA Fires 05:56 The Birth of Tzompantli 09:08 Influences and Inspirations 12:05 Mesoamerican Heritage & Themes 15:02 Researching Indigenous History 20:50 Future Aspirations and Musical Directions 23:59 Visual Storytelling 27:01 Predator 27:41 Live Show Dynamics and Band Logistics 34:59 Creative Process and Future Plans 40:03 Personal Interests Follow us on the socials! https://discord.gg/nSjP3A8bRy https://www.instagram.com/theheavyistpodcast/ https://twitter.com/TheHeavyist https://www.facebook.com/TheHeavyist/ https://www.tiktok.com/@theheavyist STAY HEAVY x