STATE OF EMERGENCY

'State Of Emergency' + 'State Of Emergency EP'

HIMALAYA

In 2010, heading for the Far East is an adventure, listening to Taiwan's State of Emergency is an expedition of epic proportions, with lyrics based on politics you can safely say they stand for Taiwan's freedom from China, lyrics usually associated with Punk Rock, but as SOE point out, its not the lyrics that just matter but the overall composition. With Metallica and Slayer influences mixed with Taiwanese brutality, SOE are one of East Asia's hottest new metal exports, following the accomplished steps of their fellow countrymen ChthoniC. With China concerned, Taiwan has called upon a 'State of Emergency'. State Of Emergency released their EP in 2008 with the same songs featured on their debut self-titled album.

[8] RHYS STEVENSON

_____________________________________

ANCIENT HORNS

'Profano'

INFERNAL KAOS

Summoning the darkness of the Oriental is Ancient Horns, a Blackened Death Metal quartet from The Philippines. Combining Behemoth style music and Filipino wraith, Ancient Horns are another band flying the flag for the Filipino Metal scene. Signed to South Korean label Infernal Kaos Productions, Ancient Horns are predominantly storming the Asian underground and with their debut album 'Profano' coming into existence in 2009, they have more points to make, with faster blistering drumming, furious strumming and nerve-wrecking vocals, its time to go oriental.

[7] RHYS STEVENSON

______________________________________

SIGH

'Scenes From Hell'

THE END RECORDS

20 years have passed in this band's existence and 'Scenes From Hell' accounts as their eight full length release and with an epic style have they done so, sticking remotely to their Black Metal routes and adding Avant-Garde Metal with Symphonic Metal do they create Japanese Extreme Metal. This is certain to stir a few earthquakes in the region and calm some nerves after Japan's FIFA World Cup campaign ended. Embedded deep within Tokyo, Sigh are regarded as the darkest Metal band in Japan's existence. Sigh offer its listeners a unique perspective, the very essence of 'Scenes From Hell'.

[10] RHYS STEVENSON

____________________________________________

TEMPLE OF THE MAGGOT

'How To Perform A Human Sacrifice'

SATANS MILLENIUM PRODUCTIONS

Black Metal, founded in Newcastle and spread its darkness globally, Japan, Sweden, Finland, Norway, USA and France just to name a few countries and as we know metal has gone global, but Temple Of The Maggot come from one country that in the news is unheard of but exists in the atlas.. Mongolia. Vocals, clear as crystal water, guitars, raw as hell itself, drums, virtually unheard, conclusion? One Black Metal band needing mentionning in a globally renowned Metal magazine. 100% raw, 100% Mongolian, 100% Black Metal. Make it known there are only five active metal bands in the Mongolian Metal scene and only two with releases in 2010, its about time you learnt from Temple Of The Maggot on 'How To Perform A Human Sacrifice'.

[10] RHYS STEVENSON
______________________________________

CHAOTIC AEON

'Chaotic Aeon'

PEST PRODUCTIONS

Our next assault on the Asian Metal scene see's us in Asia's largest country, where Chaotic Aeon in 2009 turfed the underground Metal scene over and over again, that country, is China. Death Metal from China is as tasty as getting chicken fried rice, surprisingly this release is very good considering it comes froma country whereby purchasing Metal CD's from outside of China is as difficult as trying to refrain yourself from playing air guitar to Slayer for the one hundredth time. Chaotic Aeon mix Morbid Angel-esque music with vocals linked with Goregrind. This new breed of Chinese Metal comes from an era quite like our own, from the time of the 'Chaotic Aeon'.

[9] RHYS STEVENSON
_____________________________________

HALUN

'Via Nex Via Dolere Via Tenebrae'

The next best Far East discovery is the Experimental Death Metallers Halun hailing from the archipelago of Malaysia. 'Via Nex Via Dolere Via Tenebrae' offers Death Metal with added spices in the form of Avant-Garde influences and a keyboard with melodies flowing out, concluding the band as a force that can be interpreted in anyway, it is Experimental Metal. The only downside is the quality of vocals as the music masks the vocals, but then again this gives the band a unique style, rather than delivering clean music, crisp and audible, the underground Malaysian quintet opt for an atmospheric approach which in the end makes up for the lack of clarity.

[8] RHYS STEVENSON

http://www.myspace.com/thetruehalun

__________________________________________

ZURIAAKE

'Afterimage Of Autumn'

PEST PRODUCTIONS

Our final port of call on the Asian Assault sees us back in China, where way back in 2007, Zuriaake produced their debut album 'Afterimage Of Autumn', with Norwegian style Black Metal and Mayhem influences, they twist it with traditional Chinese instruments and nature sounds such as running water in streams. Chinese Black Metal is on the same par as its Norwegian rivals, delving into darker extremes and Zuriaake is no exception. Prepare for a journey unlike any other as you face the 'Afterimage of Autumn'.

[8] RHYS STEVENSON