Chthonic – Takasago Army

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Spinefarm Records
Produced by Chthonic

It wasn’t all that long ago that Chthonic seemed like just another symphonic black metal band. Influenced by their Taiwanese heritage they may have been, but back then they still displayed all the hallmarks of the genre – from the band’s typical symphonic black sound, through to their traditional black metal corpse paint. Thankfully, the last few years have seen the band slowly evolve, increasing the amount of cultural influence in their music over Seediq Bale and Mirror of Retribution, their breakthrough releases in Europe.

Takasago Army, the band’s sixth album, forms part of a trilogy alongside the band’s last two releases. Like both of those albums, Takasago Army is a concept record situated within early 20th century Taiwan. However, whilst the last two focused on uprisings (The Wùshè Incident against the ruling Japanese in the 1930s, and the 228 Massacre against the Chinese KMT government in the late ’40s), Takasago Army focuses on the Seediq aborigine people who fought for the Japanese during the Second World War. As to be expected from Chthonic, the lyrics are more from an emotional and spiritual perspective than they are from a physical one; whilst we are given background story for the album, the lyrics are metaphorical enough that without context, only the music can adequately convey the story.

This album might well reflect a major turning point in the evolution of the band’s music. As the band themselves observe, Takasago Army is less a metal album with an oriental feel (as was their prior output), but a metal album built around Taiwanese music itself. As such, this might be the first album from the band that doesn’t sound obviously black metal so much as it is simply influenced by black metal. In fact, it is probably more contemporary with the blackened folk metal scene; albeit, of course, with the vastly different musical patterns and instruments appropriate for Taiwan.

There are still similar elements to symphonic black metal, of course. Keyboards in the background convey some of the subtler melodies of the album, and singer Freddy’s vocal delivery is the same mix of hollow growl and screech that it has always been. However, the album is definitely more accessible than most black metal. Takao and Broken Jade, both chosen as video singles for the album, don’t really feel black metal at all, and come across more as just dark heavy metal accompanied by erhu (a Taiwanese string instrument, for those not familiar). This might cause some complaint if these songs weren’t so well written – but Chthonic have proven to be surprisingly excellent writing what some might consider borderline mainstream metal material.

Naturally though, as much as the band are incredibly capable as a unit and musicians, and as accomplished as their songs are on this release, its the majesty and emotion of their music that really makes Takasago Army work. The album can tell the listener about the unrelenting brutality of war one minute, only to gracefully change to reflect and consider the inner struggle of its protagonists another. The most prominent factor in describing these emotions are the melodies played on the erhu, which sounds sombre yet absolutely stunning on moments like the breaks between verses on Oceanquake. Alongside a near-perfect sound mix and a crisp production, the album really does feel like a winner.

At only forty minutes the album can feel rather short, but as flaws go though, this is a fairly forgiveable one. It is a testament to the album’s quality that it leaves the listener wanting more, rather than feeling tired or overblown by its conclusion. Takasago Army makes for a great landmark in Chthonic’s discography, a natural turning point in their career, and a terrific release. A very worthwhile album indeed.

“ majesty and emotion ”

Tracklist: The Island / Legacy of The Seediq / Takao / Oceanquake / Southern Cross / KAORU / Broken Jade / Root Regeneration / MAHAKALA / Quell The Souls In Sing Ling Temple

Written by James Donovan
More: 2011, Albums, Black Metal, Chthonic