A Guide to Metal Bands From Beijing

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Metal - you either love it or hate it. And if you love it, chances are you might have dyed, waist-long hair, a full beard (even if you are female), a number of tattoos (perhaps in one or two places you don't usually show in public), and you probably like motorcycling (or are a radical environmentalist), you enjoy alcohol (because that is integral to enjoying this type of music) and you just might be really into fantasy role-playing (your avatar most likely being the dwarf because his beard looks exactly like yours).

Are you this person? Then you might enjoy one of the following band recommendations – or all of them – as we take a look at five metal artists from Beijing. Maybe you’ll find your new favorite band too!

Nine Treasures (九宝 jiǔ bǎo)

Although the band Nine Treasures was founded in Beijing in 2010, all of the members are from Inner Mongolia. They spent their early years playing gigs in the metal clubs of Beijing, but today they have moved back to their home, Hohhot, because the city of Beijing, though full of possibilities, was simply too big, literally: They needed to drive two hours to get to the studio.

Nine Treasures plays Mongolian folk metal and combines traditional Central Asian instruments with the modern rock and metal sound.

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Yaksa (夜叉 yè chā)

Yaksa was founded in Sichuan in 1995, and just two years later the band moved to Beijing. There, they quickly became an important part of the local rock and metal scene. Their style is often described as metalcore or nu metal (a style of metal that, among other things, features rap vocals), which at that time, brought something new to the table in Beijing.

Voodoo Kungfu (零壹 líng yī)

Voodoo Kungfu (also known as Zero One), formed in 2003 in Beijing, has always been a very mysterious band whose music features themes of religion and occultism. Vocalist Nan Li claims that he has “been to hell but survived to bring back the voice from hell” after being bitten by a cobra and falling into a coma.

The band combines Western metal music with traditional folk instruments from all around China – Voodoo Kungfu’s music is inspired by Nan Li’s travels through Inner Mongolia, Yunnan, and Tibet, and his experiences with the local cultures, music, and religion.

Tang Dynasty (唐朝 táng cháo)

Tang Dynasty is regarded as the first Chinese heavy metal band ever. After the band’s foundation in Beijing in 1989, a part of the band had to leave the country, but in the end that didn’t stop the band from becoming successful both inside and outside of China.

In its lyrics and music, the band incorporates traditional Chinese elements that are supposed to represent and reference the ancient period of the – what a surprise – Tang dynasty in China.

Their music is very accessible, almost like heavy metal for beginners, and leans in the direction of art rock and progressive rock.

Twisted Machine

Last but certainly not least, there is Twisted Machine, whose name is a homage to their idol – American band Rage Against the Machine. Founded in 1998 in Beijing, Twisted Machine started out playing hardcore and later switched to nu metal after changing their lead vocalist.

Their record Back to Underground (2003) is considered to be one of the most successful releases in Chinese Metal history, but they aren’t limited to playing in China. In 2016, for example, they brought their Lost in Beijing tour to the USA.

Of course, there are a lot more Beijing-based metal outfits worthy of mentioning: Bliss Illusion (post-black metal), Ululate (black and death metal), Ego Fall (folk metal), and Suffocated (death metal), just to name a few.

13 Club – the number one metal club in Beijing – has been closed since the end of 2020. But MAO Livehouse is another rock venue in Beijing. Before the pandemic, a lot of foreign rock and metal bands, such as Opeth, Behemoth, and While She Sleeps, as well as local artists, played there. But clubs like Yue Space, Omni Space, or School Live Bar are likely to host metal bands as well. Right now, Covid restrictions prevent most shows from happening in Beijing, but let’s hope that in the future we will be able to headbang together again.

Images: Unsplash

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