ChthoniC - Mirror of Retribution

1. "Autoscopy (Intro) "– 01:57
   
2. "Blooming Blades" – 04:41
   
3. "Hearts Condemned" – 04:31
   
4. "Venom In My Veins" – 03:02
   
5. "The Aroused" – 05:07
   
6. "Sing-Ling Temple" – 04:07
   
7. "1947" – 04:18
   
8. "Forty-Nine Theurgy Chains" – 03:36
   
9. "Rise of the Shadow" – 04:09
   
10. "Bloody Waves of Sorrow – 04:49
    
11. "Spell of Setting Sun : Mirror Of Retribution" – 05:56
    
12. "Unlimited Taiwan" – 04:43
    

ChthoniC is a symphonic black metal band from The Republic of China (aka Taiwan). They've been around for 13+ years, and minus this release have released four albums in that time. Although I've heard naysayers call them 'The Asian Cradle of Filth', I fear that their sound and lyrics are far more intresting than Dani Filth's crew (and I say that having immensely enjoyed some of CoF's releases, including Midian). Their image is pretty unique to. Although up until now they had used the traditional Western black metal image (i.e. Corpsepaint and such), in the last couple of years they have adopted an extremely fascinating image based around Taoist magic and symbolism.

ChthoniC's sound is actually rather unique. Being that they are from Taiwan, their sound evokes Taiwanese/Chinese/Japanese melodies and arrangements to surprising and sometimes emotional effect. The lead singer Freddy Lim, as well as being a competent grunter/shreiker/, is also an exellent Erhu player (look it up) and his use of the insturnment is not only intresting, it works for the music.

Probably the one thing I love about ChthoniC other than the music is the lyrical themes. Being that ChthoniC is from Taiwan and not Europe, they do not obssess over the pagan, satanic themes of Western black metal bands. Instead, their lyrics focus on such things as Chinese Mythology, Taoist themes, fantasy stories that depict fictitious wars between Han Gods and Seediq Gods, and - most importantly - Taiwanese politial topics such as Taiwanese Independence and the mistreatent of the indiginous Seediq people.

Although ChthoniC has another exellent album before this called Seediq Bale, I prefer this one over the former due to the fact that, while the former is very emotional and raw, this release is far more polished and refined overall. I highly reccomend this CD.