Mexican-Canadian Symphonic Folk Metal
Mexican-Canadian Symphonic Folk Metal
About the band
Cabrakaän was formed in 2011 by drummer Marko Cipäktli and vocalist Pat Cuikani.
“I met Paty when I owned my studio in Toluca (Mex), and she was playing in a symphonic/ choral metal band. Originally, I wanted to make death metal. That was my main goal.”, Cipäktli explained.
“We started talking. She told me: ‘I’ve always wanted to do something using pre-hispanic elements’, and she knew someone who was interested in creating a style like this.” – that someone was Ramón, who became the band’s first rhythm guitarist.
The band’s sound and style were initially influenced by popular metal acts like Nightwish, Amon Amarth, and European folk metal bands. Soon after, the band established a distinct sound, style, and ambition to tell the forgotten pre-hispanic folk stories, mythologies, histories, and traditions of Mexico’s sociocultural past and present. They continue to work with indigenous Mexican artists to incorporate authentic pre-hispanic instruments like ocarinas, flutes, percussion instruments, and more in their music.
Cabrakaän now calls Calgary, Canada their home, where they continue to reinforce their cultural identity through their music.
Vocalist
Pat Cuikani, co-founder and lyricist of Cabrakaän, is a classically trained light lyric soprano vocalist based in Calgary, Canada. Cuikani, who hails from Mexico City, performs multiple styles of music in Spanish, English, Italian, Nahuatl, Zapoteco and others across her multiple projects. When not performing Mexican symphonic folk metal, she performs classical-folk fusion both as a solo artist and with her co-founded group, Fibonacci Ensemble.
Cuikani trained as a concert singer at the Diocesan Higher School of Sacred Music of Toluca (Mexico). Since then, she’s toured internationally, performed at cultural festivals, and transplanted new musical roots in Canada. Her distinct musical style weaves together her Mexican cultural roots with her passion for classical music.
drummer
Marko Cipäktli is a founding member, conceptual artist, and drummer of Cabrakaän. Based in Calgary, Canada and originally from Mexico City, he credits his earliest beginnings in music from his sister’s influential musical projects. At 10 years old, Cipäktli picked up his first set of drumsticks and, without delay, developed a lifelong passion for performing heavy, energetic styles of metal. Since then, and especially in the advent of Cabrakaän in 2011, Cipäktli evolved into a multi-skilled composer, arranger, recording & audio engineer, and sound designer with an attuned ear for a great mix.
Cipäktli’s musical style is grounded in the metal and rock styles from his formative years and the percussive elements of Mexican pre-hispanic and folkloric music. His distinctive drum technique is influenced by the likes of Lars Ulrich (Metallica), Mike Portnoy (Dream Theater), Neal Peart (Rush), and Alex Gonzalez (Maná). Under the mentorship of Ryan van Poederooyen (Devin Townsend Project, Imonolith) and Eugene Ryabchenko (Fleshgod Apocalypse), he incorporated elements inspired by their drumming styles.
Cipäktli has been involved in many projects over the years, notably including Alma Infinita, Drakonia, and Eternal Halloween.
Lead Guitarist
Alex Navarro is Cabrakaän’s lead guitarist, joining the band in 2016 to record their sophomore album Cem Anahuac My Home. Based in Mexico City, Navarro is a well-established musician entrenched in Mexico City’s historic metal scene. Performing in Mexican metal bands since the late 1990s, he began playing for large audiences in highly promoted events like Hard Rock Live Mexico’s tribute to Iron Maiden and Metallica and internationally-known festivals Heaven and Hell, Circo Volador, and Foro Sol with mythical thrash metal band Makina. He trained at the prestigious Fermatta Music School and honed his composition skills under the mentorship of Timo Tolkki (ex-Stratovarius). In 2021, the Encyclopedia of Mexican Rock recognized Navarro for his outstanding contributions to Mexican music history.
Navarro has also collaborated with with renowned progressive metal drummer Jorge Curiel and guitarists César Huesca, Hugo Loyo, Manuel Quiñones, and Paco Herrejón. Over the years, he’s also been part of lineups in the likes of Capuchinos, Los Arcos, Calvaria, Psycofonia, and Deep Silence.
Rhythm Guitarist
Wilkinson is Cabrakaän’s Australian counterpart and their latest addition, performing rhythm guitars with the group. Now based in Calgary, he brings nearly two decades of musical experience and a wealth of heavy influences from to his musical style.
Bassist
David Saldarriaga is a skilled multi-instrumentalist from Medellin, Colombia. Now based in Mexico City, his self-taught beginnings in bass and guitar evolved to formal training in cello and classical guitar. Saldarriaga’s studies extended to classical and flamenco guitar at the University of Antioquia’s conservatory in Medellin, and, in later years,, he explored and trained to perform folk and classical instruments including the Colombian tiple, the bandola, double bass, cello, harmonica, and piano.
Defined by his passion for creating sounds that introduce audiences to the cultural folklore and histories of Latin America, Saldarriaga’s musical style is a rich mosaic of flamenco, tango, Afro-Latin styles, jazz, folk, and classical guitar styles. In his distinct classical-folk style, he infuses it into the genre that started his musical journey: metal.
Apart from Cabrakaän, Saldarriaga performs with classical-folk fusion group La Folía, mythical Mexican thrash metal band MAKINA, and symphonic metallers Deep Silence.
