siLLy puPPy CHTHONIC is an unusual musical entity. They are a symphonic black metal band from the far Eastern island of Taiwan. Although they've been around since 1995 and have several albums under their belt, their 4th album (which was the first to be released outside Asia) SEEDIQ BALE is my first taste of them. Upon first discovery I was perplexed as to what exactly the title meant figuring it was probably Taiwanese in the Roman alphabet. SEEDIQ is in fact the name of the aboriginal people of the island and BALE is an English word meaning pain or suffering. So in accord with the band's goal of educating the world through their music the history of their country they dedicate a whole album to the SEEDIQ people and all the conquests that left their very existence in question.

I would say that CHTHONIC sounds like the perfect fusion of Dimmu Borgir and the Japanese band Sigh with a touch of Nightwish thrown in. They also throw in a few nods to death, industrial and traditional metal as well with some of their riffing and solos. Basically they have an aggressive black metal fury complete with tremolo guitar picking, blastbeats and the buzzsaw mixing approach mixed with some nice atmospheric keyboards and the occasional female harmonizing vocalist adding layers of melody. The vocalist has that extreme metal scream that I have only heard in Asian metal bands reminding me a lot of Sigh, however I like this band much better than Sigh's straight on black metal period and this band doesn't have the over-the-top approach that Sigh took on.

One of the most unique factors of this band is how they incorporate Taiwanese music and instruments into their sound, such as the erhu, koto, shamisen, Tibetan bells, shakuhachi and pgaki flutes. Nowhere are some of these unique sounds more noticeable than on some of the intros but they are found elsewhere and clearly influence the song structures themselves making this a unique sound for a melodic black metal album. I have really gotten into this album and am anxious to continue dipping into their discography. The only drawback here is that a few songs have a samey feel otherwise this is a highly entertaining album that unlike Dimmu Borgir on many of their albums, achieves a successful balance of the symphonic and black metal aspects of the music.

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 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!!!