Chthonic
Bú Tik
Released: 31st May (Europe) 3rd June 2013 (UK)
Melodic Black Metal/ Oriental Metal
Released via Spinefarm Records
‘Bú Tik’ is the new album from the Taiwanese melodic black metal band Chthonic. It is the follow up to ‘Takasago Army’ and it is inspired by the story of the “228 Massacre” in 1947, the Bú-Tik Palace and the Mirror Of Retribution.
First up is Arising Armament, an oriental style melodic instrumental which sets the scene for some epic battle. The first full song on here, Supreme Pain For a Tyrant is very much in the black metal vein with Freddy Lim’s screams piercing their way through whilst the melodic and melancholic erhu instrument provides a sharp contrast between the harsh vocals and aggressive guitars. A powerful mix which is enhanced even more by the memorable lyrics, a quote “let me stand up like a Taiwanese!”
Sail into The Sunset’s Fire starts off with the same aggressive stance with the guitars, a barrage of death metal style bass drums and harsh vocals. Yet by the time the chorus kicks in, the song becomes more keyboard-intensive and has a slight symphonic metal feel to it. That chorus has a way of sticking in your head too… Then there’s the multi-faceted Rage of My Sword which combines the speed and aggression of the guitars with some melodic tinges creating an ideal balance between the two styles.
All the aforementioned elements come to their own in Defenders of Bú Tik Palace, a track celebrating everything that makes Chthonic unique. This song really does offer the full package: the death metal pounding of the drums, the skilfully executed guitars, abrasive vocals and of course the oriental touches represented by the sound of the erhu and melodic, clean vocals performed by guest singer Meiyun Tang.
Overall this is a beautifully crafted and exceptionally well executed album. So far it’s been my favourite metal album of this year.
4.5/5
Iza Raittila
Valkyrian Music 