Customer Reviews

Seediq Bale

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I'm actually not a kid; I'm 16. Anyway, I downloaded this album off the iTunes music store, and it has to be one of the best things I've ever heard. This band became one of my top 5 bands within the first day of owning this album! They hail from Taiwan, and have even been banned in China for their support of Taiwanese independence, although their lyrics are politically neutral. This band is very unique, for several reasons. Musically, they are somewhat like Dimmu Borgir, but something sets them apart that I cant quite put my finger on. It may be the addition of female vocals, or the use of the Er-Hu, which is basically the Asian equivalent of a violin. The tempos are pretty varied, ranging from mid-paced beats (Indigenous Laceration, Progeny of Rmdax Tasing) to all out blast-beats (Quasi Putrefaction, Where the Utux Ancestors Wait). They also experiment with metalcore-ish riffing in 'Indigenous Laceration', but dont let that turn you off, because it is very effective.
Lyrically, instead of insipid 'hail satan' lyrics, they retell Taiwanese mythology, focusing on the Seediq tribe. Be sure to catch this band on the second stage at Ozzfest this year. I'm pretty sure a lot of my friends will get to see this band, but at least I can say that I was listening to them first.

Standout Tracks: Progeny of Rmdax Tasing, Enthrone, The Gods Weep, Banished Into Death, Quasi Putrefaction
Those are my favorites, although there is absolutely NO filler on this album. BUY IT.

just opened it up and watched the videos, I love this band so much! The female backing vocals, the keys and the erhu (well I think it's a Chinese violin or something along those lines) sound so beautiful, goes perfectly with the guitars.

I'd certainly recommend buying this cd to anyone who listens to similar styles in my play history. [...].

Chthonic is a band from Taiwan. Taiwan does not belong to China. Taiwan and China are run by two different governments, two different political parties, two different political systems. Moreover, this concept album is about a Taiwanese aboriginal tribe who died fighting a foreign attack decades ago. This tribe was not a cult at all.

To anyone who is a metal fan claiming he or she stands for truth and freedom of all sorts: Please be advised to check your facts before you say anything here. Don't beleive everything you are told, especially Chinese propaganda and American foreign policy lies. Peace.

Chang Jui-chuan, Taiwan

ChthoniC is a band that's not afraid of speaking out for their own country, Taiwan. A band with true Taiwanese spirits and metal hearts.
Seediqbale (pronounced Seediq Ba-Le) is a concept album with a sorrowful yet epic story of the Seediq tribe in Taiwan. Through its unique musical arrangements, flowing with the story's beginning, climax, and epic end, the audience were given the "movie like" experience.
One of the many unique characters about ChthoniC is the use of ancient oriental instrument, the Erhu (two-string violin). With erhu's low key sounding, ChthoniC's music delivers the melancholic feeling that no other band does.
The production and recordings were handled by Denmark's well thought after producer, Jan Borsing. Sound quality warranted.
Seediqbale also features more skillful guitars, bass, keyboards, and drum; making this album a black metal must-have for the year 2007.

If you don't have this album, then do yourself a favor, pick it up today.

This is up their as one of the best albums Ive heard this year, only behind Wisdom In Chains "Class War" album. Im so glad these guys are still doing their thing. One of the best black metal type albums Ive heard, probably the best. I think these guys are far better than Cradle and even better than Dimmu Borgir. From start to end its great! Like others are saying, this album is simply beautiful, very melodic. Uses a good blend of the female backup vocals keyboards and the asian violin (I forget what its called). Best songs are Progeny of Rmdax tasing, Bloody Gaya Fulfilled, and Quasi Putrefaction. I really recamend this album simply to anyone that likes metal. You wont be disappointed.

even though i missed them at ozzfest, but i still got the cd because the samples i heard them on their myspace page. i usually dont get into death metal, but this group got me into it. i need to get their first few albums now.

This is a pretty awesome Black Metal album, much better than I thought it would be... Go China!

Chthonic are a symphonic/black/death metal band from China (which is impressive enough in and of itself), and have been in the limelight as of late, winning the asian equivalent of a Grammy, and touring with the huge Ozzfest tour in the 'states. They play a fairly original brand of metal incorporating traditional Chinese instrumentation, symphonic elements and female vocals. Their latest release is a concept album of sorts concerning an obscure Chinese cult, weird mysticism and (of course) suicide and violence, and is based on historical events.

That having been said, this album simply doesn't seem to evoke much of anything, with a sterile production which buries the guitar in the over-layered mix (a cardinal sin in metal, if ever there was one), occasionally annoying instrumentation and effects, and simply a general lack of anything that really makes you pay attention. Ecspecially when compared to some other recent metal releases this year, this one just doesn't stand out much, which is surprising considering the band's story (simply being a metal band in communist China itself must have been very difficult, to say the least)and the relatively original cultural "angle" on the precedings.....it should be pointed out, however, that the artowrk and packaging of the release are exceptionally well done, and the disc does have additional multimedia content, although the bonus tracks are inexplicably stacked right at the beginning of the disc, requiring an annoying "page" past five tracks until you can actually listen to the album if you are in your car, for example. Oh well,maybe next time.