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Chinese Heavy Metal
Chinese heavy metal (中国重金属, pinyin: ''Zhōngguó Zhòngjīnshǔ''; also 中国 重金属音乐, ''Zhōngguó zhòngjīnshǔ yīnyuè'', literally "Chinese heavy metal music") is commonly used to describe a wide variety of forms of heavy metal music, in connection with the rock bands and solo artists from the People's Republic of China (Native Chinese-speaking regions such as Taiwan, Hong Kong, Macau are considered separate scenes). Typically, Chinese heavy metal bands adhere to one subgenres of heavy metal such as death metal, thrash metal, and power metal, but commonly using Chinese-based lyrical content rather than English. History Tang Dynasty (1988–1990) Chinese heavy metal had its origins in hard rock (硬摇滚音乐, Yìng yáogǔn yīnyuè) and Heavy Metal (重金属, Zhòngjīnshǔ) music genres, which had emerged and gained popularity around the 1980s in the western world. As a main genre in Mainland China. The genre of Chinese Heavy Metal music emerged ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Pinyin
Hanyu Pinyin (), often shortened to just pinyin, is the official romanization system for Standard Mandarin Chinese in China, and to some extent, in Singapore and Malaysia. It is often used to teach Mandarin, normally written in Chinese form, to learners already familiar with the Latin alphabet. The system includes four diacritics denoting tones, but pinyin without tone marks is used to spell Chinese names and words in languages written in the Latin script, and is also used in certain computer input methods to enter Chinese characters. The word ' () literally means "Han language" (i.e. Chinese language), while ' () means "spelled sounds". The pinyin system was developed in the 1950s by a group of Chinese linguists including Zhou Youguang and was based on earlier forms of romanizations of Chinese. It was published by the Chinese Government in 1958 and revised several times. The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) adopted pinyin as an international standard ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
A Dream Return To Tang Dynasty
''Tang Dynasty'' (Chinese: 唐朝; pinyin: ''Tángcháo''), also known as ''A Dream Return to Tang Dynasty'' (Chinese: 梦回唐朝; pinyin: ''Mènghuí Tángcháo'') is the eponymous debut studio album by Chinese heavy metal band Tang Dynasty, released in China in December 1991 and internationally on December 11, 1992 by Magic Stone Records. The album is lauded as the first Chinese metal album, combining heavy metal and progressive rock with traditional Chinese folk styles, poetry, and Beijing opera vocal techniques. Background Tang Dynasty was officially formed in February 1989 by Americans Kaiser Kuo (guitar) and Andrew Szabo (drums), along with Beijing musicians Ding Wu (guitar) and Zhang Ju (bass). However, the Tiananmen Square Protests forced Kuo and Szabo to leave China. The band went on hiatus, and Ding Wu moved to Xinjiang for several months. In October, Ding Wu returned to Beijing, and together with Zhang Ju recruited "lightning-fast" guitarist Liu Yijun and drumme ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Stratovarius
Stratovarius is a Finnish power metal band that formed in 1985. Since their formation, they have released sixteen studio albums, five DVDs and six live albums. In its history, the band has gone through many chaotic lineup changes, and after founding guitarist Timo Tolkki's departure in 2008, there are no founding members of the band that remain. Currently, the longest standing member is singer Timo Kotipelto, who joined in 1994. The first incarnation of the band had the name Black Water, founded in August 1984 by singer and drummer Tuomo Lassila, guitarist Staffan Stråhlman, and bassist John Vihervä. After reforming as Stratovarius, line-up changes started to occur, including Timo Tolkki replacing Black Water member Stråhlman and taking over singing duties as well, and the band expanding to a quartet with the arrival of keyboardist Antti Ikonen the following year. Under this line-up, the band released its first album ''Fright Night'' in 1989, with Tolkki as the only songwri ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Dream Theater
Dream Theater is an American progressive metal band formed in 1985 under the name Majesty by John Petrucci, John Myung and Mike Portnoy while they attended Berklee College of Music in Boston, Massachusetts. They subsequently dropped out of their studies to concentrate further on the band that would eventually become Dream Theater. Their current lineup consists of Petrucci, Myung, vocalist James LaBrie, keyboardist Jordan Rudess and drummer Mike Mangini. Over the course of various lineup changes, Petrucci and Myung have been the only two constant members, and Portnoy remained with the band until 2010, when he left to pursue other musical endeavors and he has since been replaced by Mangini. After a brief stint with Chris Collins (singer), Chris Collins, followed by Charlie Dominici (who was dismissed from Dream Theater not long after the release of their When Dream and Day Unite, first album), LaBrie was hired as the band's singer in 1991. Dream Theater's first keyboardist, Kevin ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Dark Tranquility
Dark Tranquillity is a Swedish melodic death metal band from Gothenburg. They are considered one of the pioneering acts of the Gothenburg metal scene, which also includes bands such as In Flames and At the Gates. Dark Tranquillity is regarded as the Gothenburg fathers in the film entitled ''Out of Nothing: A DT Documentary'' released by Century Media, which was filmed in their home town in April 2009. Background Early years and ''Skydancer'' (1989–1993) Dark Tranquillity was formed in 1989 by current vocalist and then-guitarist Mikael Stanne, and guitarist Niklas Sundin, under the name Septic Broiler. Three additional members, Anders Fridén, Anders Jivarp and Martin Henriksson, later joined the line-up. In 1990, the band recorded a demo entitled ''Enfeebled Earth'' before changing their name to Dark Tranquillity, which featured a largely thrash metal-influenced style of death metal, comparable to early Death. After releasing another demo entitled ''Rehearsal December 1990'', ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Nightwish
Nightwish is a Finnish symphonic metal band from Kitee. The band was formed in 1996 by lead songwriter and keyboardist Tuomas Holopainen, guitarist Emppu Vuorinen, and former lead singer Tarja Turunen. The band soon picked up drummer Jukka Nevalainen, and then bassist Sami Vänskä after the release of their debut album, ''Angels Fall First'' (1997). In 2001, Vänskä was replaced by Marko Hietala, who also took over the male vocalist role previously filled by Holopainen or guest singers. Although Nightwish have been prominent in their home country since ''Angels Fall First'', they did not achieve wider success until the release of the albums '' Oceanborn'' (1998), '' Wishmaster'' (2000) and ''Century Child'' (2002). Their 2004 album, '' Once'', has sold more than one million copies and was the band's breakthrough in the United States. Their biggest US hit single, "Wish I Had an Angel" (2004), received MTV airplay and was included on three US film soundtracks to promote their N ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
In Flames
In Flames is a Swedish heavy metal band, formed by guitarist Jesper Strömblad in Gothenburg in 1990. Alongside At the Gates and Dark Tranquillity, In Flames pioneered the genres known as Swedish death metal and melodic death metal. During the band's early years, In Flames had a varying group of musicians recording with them, including many session musicians. By the release of ''Colony'' (1999), the group had established a stable lineup. Their sixth studio album ''Reroute to Remain'' (2002) showed the band moving toward a newer style of music that moved further away from melodic death metal and closer to alternative metal. This decision was criticized by fans of the group's heavier metal sound; however, it increased the band's mainstream audience and bolstered their album sales. As of 2008, In Flames has sold over two million records worldwide. Since the band's inception, In Flames have released thirteen studio albums, three EPs, and two live DVDs, their latest release bei ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Exodus (band)
Exodus is an American thrash metal band formed in 1979 in Richmond, California. Their current lineup consists of guitarists Gary Holt and Lee Altus, bassist Jack Gibson, drummer Tom Hunting, and lead vocalist Steve "Zetro" Souza. There are no original members left in Exodus other than Hunting, who has departed from the band twice, in 1989 and 2004, but rejoined in 2007. Exodus is also notable for its inclusion of guitarist Kirk Hammett in its initial lineup; he eventually left the band in 1983 to join Metallica as Dave Mustaine's replacement. Holt, who replaced original guitarist Tim Agnello in 1981, has been most consistent member throughout various lineup changes and break-ups, and is the only member to appear on all of Exodus' recordings. Much of the band's career has also been affected by bitter feuds between both band members and record companies, two extended hiatuses, deaths of former band members and internal problems often relating to drugs. Since its formation, Exodus ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Testament (band)
Testament is an American Thrash metal, thrash metal band from Berkeley, California. Formed in 1983 under the name Legacy, the band's current lineup comprises rhythm guitarist Eric Peterson (musician), Eric Peterson, lead vocalist Chuck Billy (vocalist), Chuck Billy, lead guitarist Alex Skolnick, bassist Steve Di Giorgio and drummer Dave Lombardo. Testament has experienced many lineup changes over the years, with Peterson being the only remaining original member, though they have since been rejoined by one of its songwriters Skolnick, who had been out of the band from 1992 to 2005. Billy has been a member of Testament since 1986, when he replaced original singer Steve Souza, Steve "Zetro" Souza, who had joined Exodus (American band), Exodus as the replacement of Paul Baloff. He and Peterson are the only members to appear on all of Testament's studio albums, with the latter being the only constant member overall. Labeled as one of the "big six" of the 1980s Bay Area thrash metal sc ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Lacrimosa (band)
Lacrimosa is a Swiss rock duo led by German Tilo Wolff, the main composer, and Finn Anne Nurmi. They are currently based in Switzerland, but originally from Germany. Originally counted among the bands of the Neue Deutsche Todeskunst genre, Lacrimosa are most associated with the gothic metal and symphonic metal genres. Their musical style mixes gothic rock and heavy metal, along with violin, trumpet, and more classical instruments, although their musical development throughout the years has also led to changes in instrumentation. Lacrimosa's lyrics are written almost exclusively in German, although since the 1995 album ''Inferno'' every album has featured one or two songs in English, generally written by Anne Nurmi. Finnish has also appeared in the spoken intro to two songs ("Schakal" on ''Inferno'' and "The Turning Point" on ''Elodia'') and on a bonus track in a limited edition release of ''Fassade'' called ''Vankina''. Their lyrics are mainly about loneliness, sadness, darkne ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Edguy
Edguy is a heavy metal band formed in Fulda, Germany in 1992. History Demos, AFM years (1992–2003) Edguy was founded in 1992 by 14-year-old students Tobias Sammet, Jens Ludwig, Dominik Storch and Dirk Sauer. The name "Edguy" was an affectionate epithet for their math teacher at the time. In 1994, the band released two demos, ''Evil Minded'' and ''Children of Steel''. These tapes were sent to many record labels, all of whom rejected the band, believing they would be unsuccessful in the music business. Undeterred, they self-released their "unofficial" debut album, '' Savage Poetry'', in 1995. They signed with AFM Records shortly after, who offered to re-release ''Savage Poetry'' with more widespread distribution. The band rejected this proposal in favour of recording a new album, '' Kingdom of Madness'', which was released in 1997, but drummer Dominik Storch left the band shortly after. 1998 saw the release of their second album, ''Vain Glory Opera'', with friend Frank Linden ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Labyrinth (band)
Labyrinth is an Italian power metal band formed in 1991 in Massa, Italy. The band underwent a change in style and themes after the departure of Olaf Thorsen in 2002. History 1990s Labyrinth formed in 1991 with a lineup of Franco Rubulotta (Frank Andiver-drums), Luca Contini (Ken Taylor-keyboards), Andrea Bartoletti (bass guitar), Andrea Cantarelli (Anders Rain-lead guitar), Carlo Andrea Magnani (Olaf Thorsen-lead guitar), Fabio Tordiglione (Joe Terry-vocals). The band released their first demo "Midnight Resistance". The demo got enthusiastic reviews in major metal magazines in Italy and Germany and that gave them the chance to sign with Underground Symphony, a new indie record label. Andrea Bartoletti left the band and was replaced by Chris Breeze (Cristiano Bertocchi). ''"Piece of Time"'', their first EP, marked the direction the band was taking: pure melodic speed metal with a keyboards-background. In 1995, ''"No Limits"'' was released and the interest in the band grew among ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
