Chthonic (band)

Chthonic
Chthonic performing at Wacken Open Air, Germany, 2012
Born
Years active1995–present
AwardsGolden Melody Awards – 2003 Best Band[1]
2019 Best Band

Chinese name
Traditional Chinese閃靈
Transcriptions
Standard Mandarin
Hanyu Pinyinshǎn líng
Musical career
OriginTaiwan
Genres
LabelsSpinefarm (Universal Music)
Members
WebsiteOfficial website

Chthonic (styled as ChthoniC or ChThoniC) is a Taiwanese heavy metal band, formed in 1995 in Taipei. They have been called "the Black Sabbath of Asia."[4][5] The group incorporates influences from traditional Taiwanese music, including adaptations of folk songs and the use of traditional instruments, most notably the erhu (often called the hiân-á [絃仔] in the band's native Taiwanese Hokkien).[6] Their stated goal is to use their music to bring ancient history and mythology into the modern era especially to build awareness of the myths of Taiwan and tragic events in that country's history (for example, those experienced by the Seediq people).[7]

Since 2011 their trademark erhu has been complemented with stringed instruments including the koto and shamisen, as well as Tibetan Bells and shakuhachi and Seediq hunting flutes (Chinese: 獵首笛), the last of which are traditionally used by the indigenous people of Taiwan.[8] The band members are also acclaimed artists and political activists who advocate independence for Taiwan and self-determination for Tibetans and Uighurs. Singer Freddy Lim served as Chairman of the Taiwan chapter of Amnesty International from 2010 to 2014 and has been a legislator since 2016, first representing the New Power Party before becoming an independent. Since their formation, Chthonic has released eight studio albums. The most recent of which, Battlefields of Asura, was released in October 2018.

  1. ^ "Pop Stop". Taipei Times. 8 August 2003. Retrieved 21 March 2009.
  2. ^ Deming, Mark. "Chthonic biography". AllMusic. Retrieved 2 August 2011.
  3. ^ Prato, Greg. "Seediq Bale review". AllMusic. Retrieved 2 August 2011.
  4. ^ Hunt, Katie (13 January 2016). "Meet Freddy Lim, the death metal star running for political office in Taiwan". CNN.com. Retrieved 17 January 2016.
  5. ^ McVeigh, Tracy (26 December 2015). "Taiwan's heavy metal star rallies fans to run for parliament on anti-China platform". The Observer. Retrieved 1 January 2016 – via The Guardian.
  6. ^ "Chthonic (erhu)". Violins in Metal. 3 December 2010. Retrieved 25 January 2018.
  7. ^ "CHTHONIC: Articulate, Thoughtful Face Of Symphonic Black Metal". Blabbermouth.net. Blabbermouth.net. 3 December 2006. Retrieved 25 January 2018.
  8. ^ Patterson, Dayal. (September 2011). "Battles in the East". Metal Hammer. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |url= (help)