THE UNDERGROUND IN CHINA: 10 UNDERGROUND EXTREMITIES

 Metal News, RANDOM FUCKING MUSIC  1 Response »
Jun 092026
 

(In 2021 Ryan Dyer made his NCS debut touting the insanity of one-man bands in China, followed that by trumpeting the destructiveness of Calgary’s Whorrify, and then returned to the Chinese scene with a review of an EP by Horror of Pestilence. After an extended absence he’s back, and again focused on the Chinese underground.)

The Underground in China: Metal, Punk, Hardcore and Noise (2013-2021) showcases bands across the spectrum of genres in China. I have handpicked ten of the more extreme bands found within the book to showcase here. To learn about 90+ more, pick up The Underground in China, releasing on June 12 via Earth Island Books (see the link at the end of this feature). Continue reading »

HORROR OF PESTILENCE: “ILLITERATE CONSTRUCTION // INAUDIBLE DETERIORATION”

 Album Reviews, SHORT BUT SWEET  No Responses »
Nov 222021
 

(Ryan Dyer, who made his NCS debut touting the insanity of one-man bands in China and followed that by trumpeting the destructiveness of Calgary’s Whorrify, now returns to the Chinese scene with this new review.)

Guangzhou, China’s Horror of Pestilence are a group of metallic conductors who specialize in creating tech-deathcore savagery blended with symphonic elements, taking the genre beyond its preconceived limitations. Their new EP Illiterate Construction // Inaudible Deterioration marks a pivot for the band, as a new guitarist from Hong Kong-based Massacre of Mothman has recently joined up for further collaborations on their next full-length LP.

Still, there are some Dune-sized ear worms found on this EP such as Middle Eastern elements leading into the snarling “Exiled Revenant.” A tasty saxophone solo also shows up, bringing to mind the brass attack used by Japanese black metal masters Sigh. “God Given. Hell Risen” features some ear-catching dual vocal melodies – another surprise from the plague ragers. Continue reading »

WHORRIFY: “WHORRIFY”

 Album Reviews, SHORT BUT SWEET  1 Response »
Nov 052021
 

(Ryan Dyer, who last appeared in our pages touting the insanity of one-man bands in China, now returns to trumpet the destructiveness of Calgary’s Whorrify.)

In the annals of Canadian metal history, according to Metal-Archives.com, there have been at least 5000 Canadian metal bands. In Calgary, specifically, there have been over 200. I often wonder what would happen if all of these band members were situated in one place, like a little island. Whorrify are the new settlers on this island arriving via surfboards, wearing Thrilla Krew threads and setting foot on this beach like they were grind messiahs. Continue reading »

THE INSANITY OF ONE-MAN BANDS IN CHINA

 RANDOM FUCKING MUSIC  1 Response »
Feb 112021
 

 

(The following article was written by guest contributor Ryan Dyer, who has been on a mission to spread the word about metal music from China, and in this article he focuses on one-man Chinese bands in the genres of grindcore, noise, and industrial.)

China is home to over a billion people. Hundreds of thousands of these individuals have artistic endeavors, but some don’t play well with others. The one-man band is a unique performance art in the musical spectrum. Usually, electronic music is where one would find them, and usually as a DJ. The one-man vehicle does reach out into other forms of music, however, such as rap, hip hop, industrial, noise, and even grindcore. As the result of one person’s imagination and drive, the output often defies genre limitations, becoming something which could be labeled “outsider music”.

The three musicians presented here are certainly outsiders. Hailing from Beijing, Tianjin, and Shanghai, they prove that no single city is at the forefront of single-handed creative madness in China. It’s omnipresent and on the rise. Continue reading »