Sat, 8pm, Hidden Agenda Live House
This weekend metal aficionados will have the chance to see the celebrated (and controversial) group Chthonic, who are banned from playing in many parts of the mainland. The quintet is returning to Hong Kong to play a sold-out show at Hidden Agenda in Kwun Tong, and are in an optimistic mood.
'Our Hong Kong fans are some of the most passionate in the world,' says bassist and band spokeswoman Doris Yeh. 'If any of the crowd came to our concert here six years ago, they would be shocked by how much the band has evolved since then.'
This evolution is due largely to the fact that Chthonic (pronounced 'Thonic') have in recent years become what many consider to be Asia's premier metal outfit.
Since 1995, Chthonic (derived from Greek, meaning 'of the Underworld') have delivered five studio albums, won many awards and had more than 14 personnel changes. Along with Yeh, the line-up now comprises Freddy Lim (vocals, hena) Jesse Liu (guitar), C.J. Kao (keys) and Dani Wang (drums).
While Chthonic tend to be boxed in the 'black metal' category, Yeh prefers to describe their style as 'historical, symphonic and Oriental'. This Asian focus has resonated in the region, and also engaged the West in their new sound. Musically, the hena (similar to the erhu) plays an integral role in their music. Aesthetically, ritual Taiwanese dance and Taoist symbolism inspire their onstage face paint. But their outspoken political beliefs and album subject matter grab headlines.