Holy shit, it’s been thirty years since Brujeria’s seminal – or infamous – debut, Matando Güeros? Okay, I guess that aids in understanding why we’re getting latest LP Esto Es Brujeria (Nuclear Blast) in the year of our lord 2023. Literally just realized this.

See, because having the band reactivate back in 2016 with Pocho Aztlan made a bit more sense. Remember 2016 when droves of fucking rubes decided to make Donald Trump leader of the free fucking world? Yeah, the daughter-coveting real estate shmuck from Queens who built his campaign on a strong and steady diet of xenophobia and a particular ire against Mexicans. With that sack of shit in a position of actual power it made a Brujeria comeback not only timely, but very refreshing.

Sure, I know that several Republican candidates had very asinine opinions during a recent debate including some flaunting using military force against Mexican cartels – looking at you, Vivek Ramaswamy – but Esto Es Brujeria just doesn’t feel as needed or poignant.

For starters Pocho Aztlan was fun and all but it ran a bit too long at forty-six minutes. Esto Es Brujeria doubles down and adds an extra ten minutes to the runtime. Does it improve things? Not really. 

Also, the Narco Devil worshipping shtick is getting a bit long in the tooth. Opener “Esto Es” begins with a faux news broadcast bemoaning Satanism and Marijuana use. Yeah, that was funny in 1993, but with weed becoming rapidly legalized across the United States this all just comes across as old hat. Same can be said for a number like “Covid-666” and its edgelord lyrical take on the pandemic.

As a Dominican it was dope to hear Jessica Pimentel take front and center on vocals on “Bruja Encabronada” but again the lyrics jump out of the speaker and work overtime to frighten your Catholic grandma.

Congratulations on making it this far, Brujeria. 

Buy the album here:

https://linktr.ee/brujeriaofficial

6 / 10

HANS LOPEZ