#37: Song of Chu / Chu Ge (楚歌)
Another awesome band from China; Chu Ge unleash their ferocity through sick pounding grooves.
Background Info (Encyclopaedia Metallum: The Metal Archives):
Country of origin: China
Location: Beijing
Status: Active
Formed in: 2006
Genre: Melodic Groove/Folk Metal
Lyrical themes:
Current label: Unsigned/independent
Years active: 2006-present
Unlike other Chinese folk metal/folk-inspired outfits, Chu Ge’s music is not built mainly on exhilarating speed, but rather, on bad-ass riffs that are equally brutal. The band’s metal aspect seemingly makes them one-of-a-kind within the realm of East Asian folk metal.
Just like other mainlanders, their incorporation of Chinese folk instruments is extensive. They mix in melodies from the erhu, pipa, xiao, guqin, and guzheng (played live by occasional touring members I think).
Favorite Albums:
- Yan Huang / 炎凰 (2016) — this is their only release so far, but damn, it’s so well-concocted; no fillers, each track is superb.
Favorite Songs:
- Xie Shen / 邪神 (Evil God)
- Yu Ren / 雨刃 (Rain Blade)
- Teng Chao / 腾潮 (Tide)
- Liu Lang Sheng / 流浪生死 (Wandering Life and Death)
