Summoning thunderous tribal rhythms and indigenous instruments within the fields of modern metal has earned Mawiza recognition from the Chilean Grammys and respected elders like Mercyful Fate, Mastodon and Slipknot. But this band of modern day warriors are still a force of nature when paired down to their rawest form.
Today, Mawiza are releasing an unplugged version of the latest single off the band’s upcoming third album ÜL. Though stripped bare, “Mamüll Reke” still stands in towering defense of their ancestral land.
“Like other songs from ÜL, ‘Mamüll Reke’ was written in a way that everything could be reduced to melody and kültxung, the Mapuche drum”, says Mawiza’s vocalist and guitarist Awka. “The melody and lyrics are strong enough to guide the song on their own”.
Watch the video for the unplugged version of “Mamüll Reke” on the Season of Mist YouTube channel
ÜL comes out July 18 on Season of Mist.
Pre-order & Pre-save
Hear Mawiza perform “Mamüll Reke” and other defiant anthems from ÜL this summer when they tour Europe this summer alongside fellow Chilean metalheads Ater.
Immortal Flame 2025 European Tour
more dates to be announced!
July 16 – Maribor, Slovenia @ Gustaf Pekarna
July 17 – Miskolc, Hungary @ Zugivo
July 18 – Deva, Romania @ John’s La Cetate
July 19 – Targu Jiu, Romania @ Piano
July 20 – Sibiu, Romania @ Rock & Bike
July 21 – Timisoara, Romania @ Nemesis
July 22 – Brasov, Romania @ La Templarie Pub
July 23 – Arad, Romania @ Club Flex
July 24 – Budapest, Hungary @ Riff
July 25 – Szeged, Hungary @ Varosi Club
July 26 – Pecs, Hungary @ Vararok
July 27 – Ostrava, Czech Republic @ Barrack
July 31 – Pinerolo, Italy @ Spazio Nino
August 1 – Barberaz, France @ Brin De Zinc
August 2 – Ostend, Belgium @ B52
Can’t wait to chant along to ÜL? Hear the whole album a week before it comes out by RSVPing for the band’s upcoming Bandcamp Listening Party
ÜL Bandcamp Listening Party
Thursday, July 10 @ 1 pm Eastern Time
RSVP
https://mawizakvlt.bandcamp.com/live/l-listening-party
When Mawiza are armed with their electric guitars, “Mamüll Reke” soars above the treetops amidst headbanging riffs and piercing flute. But the unplugged version of the band’s latest single feels just as heavy. Brittle acoustic strums scrape against rattling percussion. As Txalkan steadily pounds away like a procession of mourners, with weary resolve, Awka chants for defending the Mapuche’s land no matter the cost.
“Mamüll reke / Lhalu witxan / Afaflen (Just like the tree / that dies standing / chanting the way cry“, he sings with grim determination. “Lhayaiñ ka (We will die too)“.
“We aim for the unplugged versions of our songs to be even heavier and darker”, Awka says. “Without the distortion and loud drums, the message comes through more clearly. It might even be easier to feel our territory”.
To capture the song’s hard-fought message, Mawiza shot this video close to home. Spread along the outskirts near where the band live in Chile, the Panul Forest is Santiago’s last native forest. “It’s a very special place for us”, remarks Awka. “The forest has no protection against encroaching building projects, but the Machi, who’s the spiritual leader of the area, has always invited us to visit, sing, bring joy and share our newen, which means energy in Mapuzugun”. Stirred by its haunting final verse, “Mamüll reke” calls upon the spirits sleeping amidst the trees to reawaken. “Txüfken mew püruan kuyfi nhewen txepeam (I will dance on the ashes to awaken the ancient forces)”.
“We feel this forest is like ourselves, resisting time and the city’s advances”, Awka concludes. “It was the perfect place to record the unplugged version of ‘Mamüll Reke'”.
The video for the unplugged version of “Mamüll Reke” was directed and edited by Andrés Hetzler (@andreshetzler).
Praise for Mawiza
“Mawiza represent and honor their powerful Mapuche heritage, amplifying its relevant message of connection with our roots and the universe as a whole. And they do so with determination and in the most modern way, with heavy riffs and an openness to new ideas and to the world. A conversation between past, present and future. Don’t give up the fight!” – Joe Duplantier of Gojira
“…a roar of Mapuche pride out of Chile’s metal scene” – RollingStone
“Mawiza cut through the noise with their own signature cocktail of chainsaw guitars, guttural vocals and ancestral Mapuche wisdom they’ve dubbed ÜL Metal” – Bandcamp
“No contest here: Chilean metal force Mawiza absolutely crush it” – Revolver
“the band uses their music to channel strength and keep history alive” – Decibel
“a new and fresh sound of modern metal, but reimagined as if it had been born in the heart of the wallmapu, mixing and creating sounds typical of their culture” – The Resistance
“a heavy proposal merged with elements of Mapuche culture, preserving and making visible its roots, traditions and its struggles, resulting in a unique style” – Futuro
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