Warthur The cover of Takasago Army displays a horrifying contradiction: a Taiwanese volunteer in the World War II-era Japanese army performing precisely the sort of traditional Taiwanese warrior ritual that the Japanese were deliberately trying to stamp out. The difficulty the Taiwanese people have in facing this part of the history and their frustrations in asserting their own identity in the face of Japanese occupation in the first half of the twentieth century and the strange "we're the real China" diplomatic dance of the second half of the twentieth century provides ample fodder for Chthonic, who here offer up an intriguing style of melodic black metal reminiscent of a substantially less bombastic and more subtle Cradle of Filth combined with elements of traditional Taiwanese music (including some downright haunting female vocals here and there).

Time Signature The gods weep...

Genre: epic black/(melo)death metal

Chthonic pretty much swept the feet away under the world with "Takasago Army" last year, but the band actually released a good handful of releases prior to the brilliant "Takasago Army". One of these is "Seediq Bale" from 2005 which was re-released on Spinefarm last year, too.

And, this one is no less spectacular than "Takasago Army". Stylistically, the music on the album is epic and symphonic black metal akin to Dimmu Borgir's more recent releases, but with a ubiquitous oriental character derived from the band's Taiwanese cultural hinterland. Thus, amidst the black metal evil and the symphonic synths, we find the er-hu and traditional (I assume) female vocal lines. And this results in an overall sound which is truly unique and compelling.

Also, while there are elements from more traditional black metal - such as blastbeats and tremlo-picking as well as growled and screamed vocals - which makes for a dark and chaotic atmosphere, Chthonic also include elements from other metal genres. For example, melodic death metal is a genre that the draw on consistently throughout the album, which suits the epic and symphonic black metal sound extremely well.

Any fan of melodic black metal with an epic atmosphere and a symphonic touch should give this album a listen. It's brilliant and one of the most original black releases you will probably ever hear.

arcane-beautiful I was really suprised when I found out these guys had a new album, cause it only seemed like yesterday Mirrors Of Retribution was out. Their was no build up or real word of mouth about the album...it was just kind of released and we had to deal with the consequences.

Now I'm a bit of a fan of these guys ever since I first got my hands on Seediq Bale when it first came out. Now I got into these guys because I had just recently got into Black Metal, so these guys where something I could really sink my teeth into, cause 1. I love black metal and 2. I love Oriental music. Now these guys have adapted a bit of a sound change...ok the Black Metal is gone! But that's not a bad thing, in fact it's a really really really good thing.

Their last 2 albums where great well constructed albums. But whilst listening to it, it was a matter of spot the influence (Emperor and early Cradle Of Filth where a big noticable influence). Now on their last album, Mirrors Of Retribution, their was a more modern sound on the album, due to more precise production and just some modern influence. In fact it felt like the black metal sound on it was being diluted. Now on this album, their are only trace elements of Black Metal.

I believe that this album is where they have adopted their own unique sound. Theirs no stark comparisons that I find. Theirs hints of things in other bands that are reminscent, but thats it really. It's a very unique album. The black metal sound is gone, and what is replaced is a more rhythm based sound, with a stronger oriental impact. This is their heaviest album no doubt. The riffs are like punches to the face all the time...but you know...a good punch in the face :D

Musically the album focuses more on rhthym, which means that guitar and double bass pedals are a real highligh throughout. The album reflects more along the lines of melodic death metal, with some nice melodic riffs and moments. Theirs also some metalcore like moments too. Freddie's vocals are just as good as ever, but he focuses more on the growls than the screams, and it just prooves how much of a diverse vocalist he really is.

As usual, this album is also a concept album, which really is a continuation and a conclusion to the stories of the last 2 albums, in fact its more like tieing up loose ends (you really need to get the albums to understand the story). Lyrically and styllisticly (even music), its more of a minamilsit effort. The lyrics are not as poetic and are more to the point.

1. The Island - Ha, I thought this song was going to be about Lost. Nice atmopsheric oriental flute work. 6/10

2. Legacy Of The Seediq - Great way to really kick off the album. Pretty epic at times, especially when the chorus kicks in. I love the melodic feel to the song throughout. 10/10

3. Takao - One of the most oriental songs on the album (and the one with the most Taiwanese in it). Great vocals throughout and some amazing riffs. And as usual, an epic chorus. 10/10

4. Oceanquake - Great arrangmenet. Their is some nice metalcore like moments in thissong. Nice melodic parts too. 9/10

5. Southern Cross - Has thrash like moments at time. For some reason, Battle Metal comes to my mind when listening to this song. One of the best chorus on the album. 10/10

6. KAROU - The intro is reminscent to their black metal days. One of the heaviest and darkest songs on the album. Although the chanting bit at the end does seem slightly out of place. 9/10

7. Broken Jade - Some pretty killer melodic riffs throughout. Nice twists and turns too, especially the more darker moments. 8/10

8. Root Regeneration - A nice atmopsheric flute whilst some Taiwan guy speaks Taiwanese in a deep voice. 6/10

9. MAHAKALA - Pretty killer chorus, which is pretty epic too. In fact the song is pretty epic at times. Nice atmopsheric oriental tones at the end. 8/10

10. Quell The Souls In Sing Ling Temple - Great ending. Really epic and in your face. Great vocals. 9/10

CONCLUSION: I do prefer the last 2 albums to this album slightly, but I think this is the album where Chthonic really adapted a unique sound. In fact, their next album is something that I will really be looking forward too.

7.7/10

arcane-beautiful Chthonic inticed me, mainly cause of they were from Taiwan, and to be honest, you don't hear alot of music from their.

I remember reading about them in Metal Hammer and thinking...ooh interesting. Then I saw the video for Progeny Of Rmdax Tasing...and I thought...yea I need to get this album, so I did.

One of the main attractions of this album is the sound. The sounds they create on this album are very unique and to be honest, your never really going to find a band as unique as these guys in my opinion. The album is draped in this dark symphonic atmosphere throughout, with Oriental elements colouring it's already tastefu palette. Now alot of people will compare these guys to Emperor, and to be honest the Emperor influence is noticable, but their is one thing that these guys share with Emperor...whenever it says their symphonic black metal...they actually are symphonic. Now the label symphonic is passed around alot in today's society, but what it actually really means is how it has "symphonic" textures...instead of just using an orchestra (sadly their is no orchestra in this album). I mean it, the guitar work in this album really is like listening to a string section of an orchestra, with the keyboards providing other symphonic elements.

The atmosphere is always dark and twisted at times, with the uhru and chanting adding an added beauty to the album. Their is a concept present about another war that happened in Taiwan about 80 years ago, but the band add an added dark fanatical twist, and its expected from these guys, because they are highly political in their quest for drawing attention to the tyrannical government of Taiwan, and to be honest, who cares when the music is this good.

Again the vocals are top notch, and slightly lower in the mix providing a dark texture to the lyrics. The artwork is also evry cool and eye catching. In my opinion, this is their best album, and theirs no real major flaws.

1. Progeny Of Rmdax Tasing - I remember seeing the video for this song, and it alone will make you fall in love with these guys. Epic black metal at its best. Such a powerful song with crazy instrumentation and amazing arrangement. 10/10

2. Indigenous Laceration - Such a kick ass riff. The crazy organ parts are pretty killer too. Freddie's frantic gabb;es are also amazing. 10/10

3. Enthrone - Pretty crazy, almost an interlude like moment. But pretty cool and crazy nontheless. 10/10

4. Bloody Gaya Fullfilled - Beautiful chanting in the intro. The most epic song on the album. The instrumentation is amazing and the arrangement is just spectacular. 10/10

5. The Gods Weep - Amazing chaotic keyboard intro. Great use of vocals. Great instrumentation. 9/10

6. Where The Utux Ancestors Wait - The most Emperor like song on the album. Their is great use of discord in the song. 9/10

7. Exultant Suicide - Kick ass riff. Great mixture of metal with oriental channting. Nice melodic moments. The ending is pretty epic. 10/10

8. Banished Into Death - Some really amazing riffs in this song. Some interesting chord changes using close minors. 9/10

9. Quasi Putrefaction - Love the fast punky feel to the song. It's just a constant powerhouse throughout. A great epic ending to the song and the album.

CONCLUSION: It's a modern black metal masterpiece in my opinion, cause it's so different, yet so interesting. I reccomend you buy it, and believe me, if you don't like it first time round, it will grow on you, LIKE A CANCER!!!

arcane-beautiful I've been a fan of this band for a while, and I will get into my interest in them when I do a review of Seediq Bale. Now onto this album.

I remember hearing about when this album was being released, and watching the video for 49 Theugy Chains, and thinking "ok my jaw has just dropped on the floor, and this video kicks ass...this new album should be interesting." And I was right...

This being their 5th studio album, it really does show ALOT of progression...a progression I like to call the "contemporary black metal syndrome". Now listening to their previous efforts, its obvious that the production isn't the best...but to be honest that's kind of what makes black metal so interesting...the production isnt the best, and it adds to the bleak atmosphere of their music...now like Dimmu Borgir's Puritanical Euphoric Misanthropia and Cradle Of Filths Midian... a similar method was used in the progression of the production...guitars turned up, keyboards and orchestration in line with the mix and a bit over bearing at times, and the vocals as crisp as you can imagine. And it really worked for this album, because the band did have a sort of change of direction...

Now the direction change is pretty obvious, with the black metal elements being toned down and allowing more death metal and extreme elements to take over (and at times...metalcore oddly enough). But having said that, all the Chthonic elements are still their..."shrieking vocals, heavy guitars, beautiful keyboards, hanting urhu, oriental elements and great songs.

Now what also adds an added texture to this album, is the concept. Now, Seediq Bale is also a concept album, but this one is more highlighted, with a more visual story and less left up to interpretation. The concept is an amazing story about a bloody massacre, someone traveling to the underworld, ghosts, ghost kings and HELL!!! Theirs a very epic story and I would tell you it, but I seriously recomend you buy this album in order to learn more. And the ending is very chilling indeed.

I think one of the main highlights of this album is the vocals. Freddy's vocals are amazing. From high shireks to low growls, eerie whispers to massive shouts, he can do it all. The lyrics are also a great highlight, being more English than the last one (very little Tawiwanesse...i think thats the language, could be Cantoneese, but I'm poorly educated in Oriental languages I'm afraid...just don't say it's Chinese or they will ripp your face off). These guys are pretty interesting, cause from watching interviews they can speak fluent English...and it's very rare to see that from Oriental bands.

1. Autoscopy - Very disturbing. Creates the perfect atmopshere for the album. 9/10

2. Blooming Blades - What a hit in the face. Incredibly twisted yet quite beautiful at times. Great chorus and use of vocals. Maintains constant power throughout. 10/10

3. Hearts Condemned - Very Cradle Of Filth. Great chorus. The lyrics tell a great story throughout (as they do throughout the rest of the album) haha. The guitar sound is very in your face. 9/10

4. Venom In My Veins - What an awesome name for a song haha. Kick ass metal riffs and a pretty nifty chorus. One of the most straightfoward songs on the album. Has quite a punky edge to it. 10/10

5. The Aroused - Love the atmosphere of this song. It's quite dark at times. Great arrangement. 9/10

6. Sing-Ling Temple - Love that haunting keyboard riff. Great arrangement and such power and drama throughout. 10/10

7. 1947 - Very beautiful and atmospheric. Reminds me of the music from Karate Kid. 10/10

8. 49 Theugy Chains - OMG!!! YOU NEED TO HEAR THIS SONG. This song is just epic and one of the greatest metal songs I've heard in ages. Such a powerful anthem and so in your face, yet being so interesting throughout. Great lyrics too. Basically I love this song and will never tire of it. 10/10

9. Rise Of The Shadows - Such a powerfulk and kick ass song. Very frantic, with every beat like a punch in the face. Great lyrics too. 10/10

10. Bloody Waves Of Sorrow - Love the dramatic arrangement. Great use of vocals. Nice poetic terms used at times, especially the stuff about the moon, I liked that. 9/10

11. Spell Of Setting Sun: Mirror Of Retribution - A very dark and twisted ending in my opinion, yet being quite epic at the same time. Really cool when relating to the concept. 9/10

CONCLUSION: It's not the best metal album ever, but it's better than most crap out now. Their new album seems pretty interesting too, but have yet to hear it. But I reccomend this album to everyone, just for the concept alone...oh yea, theirs amazing songs on it too. So it's a bonus