#22: Bloody Tyrant (暴君)
Taiwan seems to be a hotspot for bands such as Bloody Tyrant, who in a way, promote ethnic culture and identity.
Background Info (Encyclopaedia Metallum: The Metal Archives)
Country of origin: Taiwan
Location: Nantou City
Status: Active
Formed in: 2009
Genre :Melodic Black/Folk Metal (early); Melodic Death/Folk Metal (later)
Lyrical themes: Mythology, Sun Moon Lake
Current label: Unsigned/independent
Years active: 2009-present
Unlike Chthonic, who highlight the use of the erhu in metal music, Bloody Tyrant distinctively features the pipa. I love this distinction / apple-orange analogy between the two; thus, i see no contest and both bands are top-tier in their own respective ways.
Bloody Tyrant’s blend of melodic black/death metal and the unique tone and tremolo plucking executed on the pipa is highly emotive. The addition of symphonic backing music in several of their songs makes it even more dramatic.
Besides the Chinese lute, the band also recorded flutes as well as folk drums in one or two of their songs.
Favorite Albums:
- The Legacy of Sun-Moon Lake / 水沙漣傳奇 (2015)
Favorite Songs:
- Final Battle of Sun-Moon Lake / 明潭終戰 (The Legacy of Sun-Moon Lake)
- Cloudburst / 驟雨 (Solitary Eagle / 孤鷹行, 2017)
- In the Shade of Leaves (Hagakure / 葉隱, 2018)
- Whale / 鯨魚 (Myths of the Islands / 島嶼神話, 2020)
PREVIOUS ARTICLE: #21: Camaxtli Yoxippa
NEXT ARTICLE: #23: Alien Weaponry
