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ChthoniC - Seediq Bale
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When someone mentions black metal, most
think immediately of the Scandinavian countries where acts like Bathory,
Dimmu Borgir, Immortal, Mayhem, and a growing list of bands have created
a sub-genre to metal that continues to grow in popularity. Black Metal
however, just like almost any form of metal, really is a worldwide
phenomenon. Forget about the cold and dreary parts of Europe and instead
turn your attention to none other than Taiwan.
Taiwan?
It’s surprising, but Taiwan has black metal as well, and their most
extreme export, ChthoniC, is set to take over the rest of the world with
their North American re-issue of Seediq Bale, the bands fourth
full-length studio album. Upon your first listen if you didn’t know any
better, you actually might mistake ChthoniC as being a Scandinavian
black metal act as all the right ingredients are here; fast double bass
and blistering drum beats, heavy, low-tuned guitar with impressive
leads, symphonic keyboards and plenty of high and low vocals that seem
to come from the bowels of the underworld itself. However, ChthoniC has
a few elements that set them apart from other black metal acts.
ChthoniC, being from Taiwan, isn’t a band that’s about Satanism, and in
fact the country has very few that follow the religious practice, so
instead their focus is upon folklore of their country. Freddy’s
aggressive vocals are offset by Doris, the bands bass player and female
vocalist, and although her lyrics may be in Chinese, that doesn’t keep
them from being elegant and beautiful. It’s like hearing a beautiful,
Gothic Asian angel (and having seeing the band live, she extremely
attractive.) ChthoniC’s most unique addition to black metal though isn’t
just where they hail from nor the female vocals, though they help a
great deal, but how many bands do you know of that use a hena or Er-hu
which is a two-string violin found in Asia? That’s what I thought; none,
and this gives ChthoniC’s sound a rather mournful quality at times and
blends in perfectly. Seeing it live meanwhile is even better than
hearing it recorded, and aside from grabbing this and all of their
releases, I’d highly advise catching the band when they come through
your area.
Seediq Bale itself is a work of pure black metal majesty that is a
fantastic recording from start to finish, though one word of warning is
that the North American release also includes three videos in VCD format
which may cause the disc to not work in some players. The intensity
found in the opening track, “Progeny of Rmdax Tasing: really follows
through out the entire CD, and sets the stage for what’s to come. With
the proper mix, the hena comes through beautifully and with Doris’ and
Freddy’s combined vocals, the song really becomes an emotional
experience as do all of them. “Bloody Gaya Fulfilled,” which you’ll also
find a live video for, is one of the most spectacular and epic tracks on
the disc and has become one that I’ve been listening to over and over
again. Perfection doesn’t even begin to describe the song. But even a
short song like “Enthrone” showcases ChthoniC’s talent, especially CJ’s
brief but brilliant keyboard work. You’ll find the same type of
intricate keyboards on “The Gods Weep” which is quickly shattered by
some intense and aggressive guitar and drums.
“Where the Utux Ancestors Wait” is yet another example of just how well
put together ChthoniC is and once again, the overlapping vocals of
Freddy and Doris become one of the fantastic parts of the song, though
the tremolo guitar and near Renaissance style keyboard thrown in at
times helps to heighten the experience. “Banished Into Death” meanwhile
is more of a straight ahead black metal song, though still fantastic and
the CD’s final track, “Quasi Putrefaction” is an epic piece of work,
once again showcasing the talent, aggression, and beauty that ChthoniC
can unleash.
Black metal always seems to have an act that comes along that influences
those that will follow, and ChthoniC is that band. These Taiwanese
masters of Asian darkness have taken black metal to a new level that is
going to be difficult for another act to surpass. Imagine the intensity
and raw extreme nature of black metal as you know it, add in the beauty
of Asia itself covered in corpse paint, spikes, and leather and you have
ChthoniC, the world’s premier black metal band who is not to be missed,
ignored, or taken for granted, and Seediq Bale is undoubtedly one of the
best black metal releases to come along in years.
-mike-
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Lineup:
Freddy (Left Face of Maradou) - Vocals, Oriental 2-string
Violin (Er-hu)
Jesse (The Infernal) - Guitar
Doris (Thunder Tears) - Bass, Background Vocal
CJ (Dispersed Fingers) - Synthesizer, Piano
Dani (Azathothian Hands) - Drums
Su-Nung (The Bloody String) - Oriental Violin
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Track Listing:
01 - Progeny of Rmdaxtasing
02 - Indigenous Laceration
03 - Enthrone
04 - Bloody Gaya Fulfilled
05 - The Gods Weep
06 - Where the Utux Ancestors Wait
07 - Exultant Suicide
08 - Banished Into Death
09 - Quasi Putrefaction
Total Playing Time:
43:35
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