The mystical and spiritual force known as Invunche are in the midst of spreading their unique and pummeling version of ancestral summoning, primitive, punk tinged black metal to the US. Technically based out of The Netherlands, the creator and inhibitor of El Invunche began his life in Chile and was uprooted at a young age to Europe. This project is his way of reconvening with his ancestors of The Mapuche which are the largest indigenous group in Chile. From what I understand, El Invunche is a shamanistic gnarled mystical, magical protector of witches (which is excellent material for a metal band really). There are quite a few bands exploring their ancient indigenous roots in the world right now as well. (As well as nature, atavism, sun and moon worship, etc.) I have seen Invunche talk about how when writing he may meditate on a riff and keep at it until he feels the connection to the transcendental forces allowing contemplation of one’s place in the cosmos and one’s true purpose in life. Sounds like something worth witnessing live don’t you think? And so on a warm Tuesday evening in Houston, TX at Black Magic Social Club (3/31/26) I decided to witness and be a part of their shamanistic ritual. *I want to apologize for the quality of the photos I’m including. I still have an iPhone with a button so obviously picture taking isn’t something I generally care much about.
Invunche hit the US with high anticipation by many with their first stop in Brooklyn New York. This show would gather some of the most hyped names in all of underground black metal right now including Solar Cross, Iron Firmament, Conifere, and Keys to the Astral Gates and Mystic Doors. Unfortunately that lineup was only 1 night so even though I would loved to be at that show, seeing Invunche in Houston was still a very nice treat. The Houston show lineup consisted of locals Sex Pill and Merciless Savagery and Invunche’s label mates at NWN, True Iron Will hailing from Austin. I will say having gone to live shows in Houston now for 30 years I’ve seen bands specifically skip Houston because there’s so few venues and draws can still be pretty minimal for such a large city. I was impressed how many people attended this show on a Tuesday night far on the east side of if Houston. I’d say at least 75 people showed, more than I was expecting. I’ve seen Wolves in the Throne Room play to the same amount of people or fewer in this city.
Sex Pill opened the show playing Japanese style noisy punk. (I appreciated the singer tossing out a nod to Japanese legends GISM but including a couple lines of “ENDLESS BLOCKADES FOR THE PUSSYFOOTER!” during their last song) Youthful and energetic and having a lot of fun, I really enjoyed my first time hearing them. Next up was 3 piece, all female death metal/thrash band Merciless Savagery. Very tight band for a 3 piece. Reminds of Venom, Imprecation, Morbosidad, stuff like that. I can see them being popular here in Houston as they evolve.
Next was Austin’s True Iron Will. I’m personally a big fan of their first LP came out a couple years ago. Excellent raw-ish black metal with great triumphant and melodic tremolo leads with punkier mid tempo sections (and songs) at times. I grabbed their latest LP from the merch table, may have to report on that later.
Favorite Song Played: There is A War
Then Invunche hit the stage. I was glad to see they travel with their keyboard player as it really adds to the overall affect of the music adding a mystical and cosmic element to the music. Invunche relentlessly tore through their set of mid tempo thumping as the crowd circle pitted around the room for an impressive amount of time really. Invunche’s tracks sometimes bleed into one another so the pace was always driving forward drawing each of us in. During the slower synth heavier segments I almost felt entranced at times as 2 of the band members also sang haunting throat sung melodies as we are all staring at Invunche’s leader dressed in a hooded garment with elaborate face paint that isn’t tradition corpse paint but feels both inspired by it and what I assume ties back into the Mapuche culture. Invunche is the whole package of visual and aural engagement. The other bands members donning their own unique face paint grimacing at the crowd hammering away as sweaty bodies ram into one another in late into the night in a tribal catharsis for those seeking it that night in the crowd. I think my bad photo may have captured the hazy fury of the evening pretty well actually.
Favorite Song Played: Ultimos Dias
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