365 Days of Metal: Rebecca Black Metal Friday vol.1

The Metal covers that spawned from Rebecca Black's god awful youtube video were also absolutely awesome, especially Death Metal Friday, so since I was in a punny mood, I bring you the first recurring theme that 365 Days of Metal will see: Rebecca Black Metal Friday.

Day 5

Chthonic - Takasago Army

Band Origin: Taiwan
Genre: Melodic Black Metal
Label: Spinefarm Records
Running Time: 41 minutes
Release Date: July 6, 2011

Best Part: Anytime Freddy Lim busts out the erhu, which is alot.

Favorite Tracks: Legacy of the Seediq, Oceanquake, and Kaoru

Grade: 4

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Takasago Army in 20 words or less:

Traditional Taiwanese music and instruments meet Norwegian Black Metal and decided to go to hell together.

The Band:

Chthonic is a five member black metal band hailing from Taiwan. They are best known for incorporating traditional Taiwanese music into their productions, including vocalist Freddy Lim's use of the erhu - a two-string bowed instrument. The erhu adds a very distinctive sound element to their music, along with the fusion of traditional music, making Chthonic a stand out in the genre. Chthonic are also widely know as political activists in the East, particularly as advocates for tibetan independence, which has even lead to the band being banned from performing in certain areas of China. 

Chthonic's other releases include: Where the Ancestors' Souls Gathered (1999), 9th Empyrean (2000), Relentless Recurrence (2002), Seediq Bale (2005), and Mirror of Retribution (2009)

Jay's Take on Takasago Army:

Takasago Army was the first album I had heard by Chthonic, and it left a lasting impression. A very well written record in a stable of high quality productions that I have also discovered, Takasago Army serves as a great introduction for unfamiliars to the band. Freddy Lim's use the of erhu and the bands overall incorporation of traditional taiwanese music paired with the shrieked vocals, blast beats and fast tempo guitars gives these black metal practitioners a sound that is all their own. Tracks like Oceanquake, and Legacy of the Seediq show off the full range of tricks that Chthonic has up their sleeves.

Sample of the Day:

Couldn't find any uploads of the English version, however the original Taiwanese version is just as epic. Enjoy.



- J