The Mexican band Álaghom takes its name from Álaghom Naom, the Mayan goddess of Nature, consciousness, conscious thought, and the mind.
The name reflects the influence on the band’s thematic approach, with each album diving deep into ancient mythological symbolism and cosmology, as well as incorporating Zen Buddhism and other ancient philosophies, blending these elements with the complexities of progressive metal music.
Álaghom is a genre-defying band rooted in progressive metal, blending influences from world music, baroque, oriental sounds, rock and more.
Line Up
Melisa Durán
Vocals, 8-String Guitar, Bass Guitar, Synth.
Ricardo Esperón
10-String Guitar, Piano, Synth, Bass guitar, Drums, Orchestral percussion.
Brief Biography
Álaghom is a Mexican progressive metal band founded in 2004 in Mexico City by Melisa Durán (vocals, guitar, synthesizer) and Ricardo Esperón (guitar, piano, synthesizer). From the very beginning, they cultivated a distinctive sound, blending the intensity of metal with influences from Mayan cosmology, Zen Buddhism, and the Japanese martial arts that both members actively practice and teach.
Between 2004 and 2008, Álaghom recorded a series of demos and performed live extensively, steadily building their artistic identity and presence in the local scene. In 2008, they released their debut album Evolución Mental. Following its release, the band embarked on tours across Mexico and performed as headliners at numerous events, cementing their reputation as one of the country’s emerging progressive metal acts.
After several years of musical exploration and relocating to a new city, Melisa and Ricardo refocused their efforts on expanding the band’s artistic vision. In 2023, Álaghom was commissioned to compose the soundtrack for a documentary about the traditional Japanese martial arts school Yasuragi Dojo NY, resulting in the EP Return to the Beginner’s Mind.
In 2024, Álaghom signed with the international label Wormholedeath for the distribution and promotion of their music, further consolidating their project as one with a global reach. They are currently composing their next progressive metal album, alongside a special compilation featuring extended versions of the music created for martial arts videos, as well as original compositions designed to accompany meditation practices.
