A couple nights ago I dragged my still semi-sick ass out to BB King’s on 42nd Street to see a few bands. The main headliner was Nile, who I didn’t know too much about. Mainly I was there to see ChthoniC, the Melodic Black Metal band from Taiwan. Since it was primarily a Death Metal show, graphic band tees were in full effect, there was a hell of a lot of hair, as well as an extremely large representation in the crowd from the South American continent. Rock hard, my Spanish amigos. Eighty-percent of the metal acts on this planet would tank if it wasn’t for your die-hard loyalty to head-banging.

The first band up was a Death Metal act called Skinless. I really dug them. They were definitely the most entertaining band that evening. I can’t say that Death Metal is my preferred brand of noise (Black and various Doom genres are usually where it’s at for me) but I liked these guys a lot. The genre is one that’s generally taken pretty seriously (well…what Metal genre isn’t?). You can diss those Metallica fans all you want, but don’t fuck with Death-heads. That saying, it’s good to see a band that puts out serious grinding Death, yet has the presence and personality to crack some jokes, play some awesome sample intros and outros (like the dueling banjos from “Deliverance“) and generally act like real people out to work a crowd. There were a few dickheads in the audience, yelling for Nile and Skinless effortlessly managed to shut them up, not piss anyone off and work an otherwise negative exchange with some asshole douchebags that wouldn’t shut up into a pretty funny song segue. Skinless is a good time. The band’s got a swaying sack and I’d totally go see them again.

I’ve never seen ChthoniC before, nor have I heard much of their music. Mostly I’ve read about their use of erhu (a.k.a. hena), a traditional, two-stringed, fiddle-like instrument that’s played with a bow. I’ve also heard a good deal about the band’s outspoken support for Taiwan and criticism for China and it’s oppression of the country. Two things you don’t see much with Black Metal, so I gave them a whirl. ChthoniC’s definitely not a bad act. The erhu is pretty neat shit and their bassist is a serious babe, but overall, they’re a bit underwhelming. However, I credit the band for bringing to my attention (albeit in screeching Black Medal vocals) that Taiwan has no representation in the United Nations, due to pressure from China. I give them props for being Black Metal, but still representing their country and speaking out against oppression, using their ability to tour and draw crowds and media attention to raise awareness of where they’re from and what’s going down there. They are honest and sincere about the plight of Taiwan and I can definitely respect that.

Nile…a famous Death Metal band, known for brutal crushing noise and esoteric Egyptian references. Whatever. I was bored out of my skull. These guys are old. While that’s not really a problem, what put me out was their lack of energy. These guys just grind out songs that to me, were wholly unremarkable for the most part. The bassist was the only one who seemed to have a pulse. Tubby, balding and uninspiring, yet very technically proficient guys.I kept waiting for them to get better, but they didn’t. The next time they roll into town, I’m taking a pass.

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