October 2007
 

By now, many of you have caught ChthoniC, either as a part of this years Ozzfest lineup or perhaps on one of their many off date show. Taiwan's symphonic black metal act has been getting a lot of buzz from critics and fans alike and for many very good reasons; musically, politically, and just about every other that you can think of. While we have already done an email interview with Freddy, the band's lead vocalist, we felt it was time that we got to know another member of the band that many have become enamored with; Doris.

Were you surprised to discover someone started a fan site just for you?

Yeah... When somebody told there was a fan site dedicated to me, I was really surprised! But up till now, I'm not brave enough to visit the website, I  don't know why, maybe I'm just too shy, but I really really appreciate all our fans and their support.

Your vocal style is very moving and quite beautiful, have you had any formal training and who has influenced your style?

Actually, I learned how to sing by myself; basically every time I play a Chthonic show I absorbed some inspiration and experience and figure out how I should develop my voice a little better each time. Sometimes.  I'll practice singing, imagining like I'm singing to the sky; I find that it really helps me sound better.

When did you start playing bass and what attracted you to the metal scene?

 I started playing bass since high school because I've  always liked loud sounds. I organized a rock club at school with my friends, from which I formed my first
band.

At the beginning, I was planning to play the guitar, but I couldn't afford to pay for any instruments at  that time, so I borrowed a bass from my father; he was a famous TV station bass player and we had many basses at home. This was the first step that I took into becoming a bass player. Then my guitarist gave me some  tapes to listen and practice with; like Metallica, Megadeth, Skid Row, G'N'R and Slayer.

From every time we practicing, I found out that I really enjoy the power of heavy music, makes me relax and feel more free, and then naturally fall into more
and more heavy world.

How involved are you in the song writing process?

I discuss the concept of an album first with all band members, then arranged stories along with the concept.  When Freddy or Jesse first develops the structure of a song, I'll write some melody into it. Sometimes, I'll just write the melody first for them to choose to put into the songs.
 

Is it difficult being the only female in the band?

Sometimes it's really hard to bang your head as hard as you can, while trying to play bass, and all the while strapped in a pair of high heeled boots.

I think it's the most difficult thing I've been  through....haha!

Freddy has some favorite memories from our previous interview that I'm sure aren't the same as yours, so what has  been the most memorable experience so far from this tour of the United States?

I had bunch of memorable experiences of this tour, all of them are amazing!! I never thought American fans can be so crazy. Like some fans would ask me to bite their necks or ask me to sign on their naked breast.

But the most memorable experience must be the amount of beer and Jagermeister I've put away here- I've drunk more in this trip then in my whole life.

Many band players like to share their beers and Jagermeister with me; back in Taiwan, I don't drink a lot, maybe just a bottle per month on average, but in
Ozzfest, I can drink 3 bottles of beers and 1 small bottle of Jagermeister per day!

The speed of which I am downing alcohol is making me  realize I have immense potential in drinking.

What do you miss the most that is in Taiwan that can't be found here?

I miss our tightly wedged toilet doors. It scares me that there is a huge gap in the toilet doors here even  when they are closed. The worst thing is when you are in the toilet, and you can see someone outside waiting for you, peering at you through the gap. It's the worst feeling, ever.

Some visitors to the United States experience  culture shock, what has been the most unusual thing that you've seen here that you wouldn't see in Taiwan?

The weirdest thing must have been to find out that American men seem to like to see a girl kiss or touch  another girl. When I went to a titty bar with some bands, they would actually pay for me to get a lap dance and see a dancer touching and teasing me.

It's still really fun though but I just still don't  understand why....haha!

(After getting responses back from Doris, all I can say is I COMPLETELY understand why and I would pay good money to see this)

Out of the bands that are on Ozzfest, who has been your favorite?

I think I like Hatebreed and Lamb of God the most. I've caught ever performance of Hatebreed at the  Ozzfest, and I regret that we didn't have the opportunity to chat with them backstage.

You and the other members of ChthoniC have managed to get quite a few endorsements recently, did anyone expect this?

No, never, but we're glad to have these endorsements with Ibanez, Mapex, Pro-Mark, Dunlop and Caparison. We hope to have more opportunities to work with over brands as well in the future.

What do you enjoy doing when you're not playing music?

Watching my cat playing around in the house, Watching sky and stars, I really like looking at stars at night.

Freddy is very involved in politics and trying to help the United Nations recognize Taiwan. Are you and the other members as involved in this?

I think politics always exist in your life, as a human being, we fight for our rights all the time.

When the SARS crisis happened, many Taiwanese died and no international health organizations would help us  because we were not an official member of the international organization, since being a member of
the United Nations (UN) is the regulation.

The main reason that we are not in the UN is because the China government applies heavy pressure within the  UN and forces many countries into refusing Taiwan's application. It really pisses me off.

It's really inhuman and unfair for all the Taiwanese people but not just us, it's not the right kind of value that any person should. To be a Taiwanese, when your country is subject to such unfair situation, I think every Taiwanese should be fighting for this wherever they are. It's very natural.

Once the US tour is finished, ChthoniC is headed  to Europe. Is this the bands first visit there?

No, actually, we' been in Europe several times, 3 of our albums were recorded in Denmark and We have played in the Midem Festival in France this January and  February. We've also just finished promotional events in UK, Germany, and Sweden. But as a tour, this would definitely our first time and all of us are very excited to have a tour in Europe. We've also played at Wacken Open Air this summer; we really like the fans there! Hope to see more European fans soon!

What's one thing about you that the fans might not already know that you'd like to share?

I also like to listen to Hip-hop music, I'm sorry…

What are your plans, and ChthoniC's, after the touring is over?

We're going to write new songs and head to the studio to record our next album and we will have another tour  in US in next spring.

Finally, anything you'd like to tell your fans here and elsewhere in the world?

Our 10 years anniversary DVD will release by SPV in September, hope you'll like it!!

All pictures by Adam Leota from Prophecy21.com