ChthoniC

ChthoniC is a Taiwanese metal group from Taipei, formed in 1995. The band is also known as Chthonic, ChThoniC, and in Chinese as 閃靈. Its sound is rooted in black metal, and it is also associated with death metal, folk metal, melodic black metal, melodic death metal and symphonic black metal.

Style and themes

The group blends metal with elements of traditional Taiwanese music, including folk song adaptations and traditional instruments. The erhu is a central feature of its music, and the band also uses koto, shamisen, Tibetan bells, shakuhachi and pgaki flutes. Its work focuses on Taiwanese mythology, ancient history and historical tragedy, including events involving the Seediq people, and it presents these themes through a pan-green political outlook.

ChthoniC is also known for its stage presentation. Early performances use corpse paint inspired by Scandinavian black metal, then later incorporate Taiwanese and other Asian motifs. From 1998, the band adds features such as the “8 Generals of Hell” symbols on Freddy Lim’s forehead, while keyboardist CJ Kao uses a cloth with Chinese characters wrapped around his head. From the release of Takasago Army, the group adopts costumes influenced by Asian military and martial arts clothing. The band stops using corpse paint because it is cumbersome to apply before shows.

Members and public activity

The group’s members are 高嘉嶸, 林昶佐, 劉笙彙, 汪子驤 and 葉湘怡. Freddy Lim, the singer, serves as chairman of the Taiwan chapter of Amnesty International from 2010 to 2014 and later becomes a legislator from 2016, representing the New Power Party. The band members are also known as artists and political activists, supporting Taiwanese independence and self-determination for Tibetans and Uighurs.

Releases and recognition

ChthoniC has released eight studio albums. It is often described as the “Black Sabbath of Asia.” Among its better-known releases is Battlefields of Asura, the group’s most recent full-length album. The band is also associated with Spinefarm Records.

Controversy and imagery

During performances, fans sometimes throw hell money as a tribute to the dead described in the songs and to help create a dark atmosphere. The practice can be seen as offensive by some people unfamiliar with Chinese cultural traditions. The band is also known for burning the Kuomintang flag, first doing so in the video for “Forty-Nine Theurgy Chains” in 2009, which draws controversy because of its criticism of the party.