Ladies and Gentlemen – It is revealed! CORE IN CHINA was included in issue number 48 of the Painkiller Heavy Music Magazine as CD!!!
We are very proud that our project attracted so much attention not just overseas, but also in China itself, so that the guys of Painkiller decided to include the CD as free gimnick in their magazine to be distributed nation-wide!!!
For those who haven’t listened to the CD yet, get a free download copy here!
Hail metal!!!
Posted in CORE IN CHINA, Downloads
CORE IN CHINA is now available on Google Music, Top100.cn and Xiami!
Posted in CORE IN CHINA, Downloads, Metal in China, Screamo in China
Tagged CORE IN CHINA, Google Music, Top100, Xiami
Hereby the compilation record CORE IN CHINA is officially released worldwide! It had been some busy five months (January – May 2012) that we worked on getting the songs lined up, mastered and uploaded on various internet services for the global release.
As such, cutting things short and keeping it essential, download the album (ZIP) or go to either bandcamp, soundcloud or last.fm to listen to it online and download it. All songs have been mastered by Björn Sonderman in Germany and we have received two splendid cover arts which were contributed by Joe Wu and NERVE Magazine!
Spread the word! Share the compilation and send it to your friends! CORE IN CHINA is alive and the twenty bands we have chosen for this first edition are hungry to show you what China is: Heavy! Whether its the electronicore of Thyhazard or the hardcore of King Ly Chee, these bands deserve to be listened to!
Please tell us what you think of the songs, of the bands, the cover, the project itself, the impression you got and what you think of when you listen to “Liar” or “End of Me”. Write it in the comments below!
Download the whole album as ZIP.
Not only is the overall compilation free, but Rock in China has also compiled further information on the ‘core scene of China that will help everybody to understand what is happening in the scene:
Posted in CORE IN CHINA, Downloads, Metal in China, Scenes in China, Screamo in China
Tagged Bandcamp, Compilation, CORE IN CHINA, Deathcore, Hardcore, King Ly Chee, Meat Sucks, Metalcore, Monkey King, Multi-Ego, NewTank, Nintendocore, Ordnance, Partisan, Post Hardcore, Release, Screamo, Soundcloud, Thyhazard, Why Lazy
It has been many weeks since Rock in China announced it’s CORE IN CHINA project for the very first time. We already announced the participation deadline, closed the submissions and reviewed them in our small yet dedicated team. A couple of days ago we sent out the official selection emails and also informed those bands that didn’t make it. There was no case that we had to reject a song due to its bad quality, but with a total number of 20 songs and by far over thirty song submissions, we had to make a choice.
Right now, all songs are being “mastered” in Germany, with it being however less of a real mastering and more of a volume alignment as most bands already had pretty good mastering done before submission. Whilst we wait for the final song versions to be issued to Rock in China and whilst we wait for the designers to prepare our cover, here is the band and song list:
| # | Band | Song Title |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Why Lazy | Dying in the dream |
| 2 | NewTank | The Dreamer |
| 3 | Meat Sucks | Buried the Truths |
| 4 | Ordnance | Ask for a justification |
| 5 | Partisan | Selfish |
| 6 | Monkey King | Until you come 2010 |
| 7 | Multi-Ego | End Of Me |
| 8 | Mensheng | 故謠 Ballad of Fallen |
| 9 | Die In Velvet | 每天生每天死 (final mix) |
| 10 | Ashtemato | JOKER同期录音人声完整版 |
| 11 | Saving Molly | To my friend |
| 12 | Luktomo | We Are Luktomo |
| 13 | Beyond Cure | Self Destruction |
| 14 | DustFall | Dawn Late |
| 15 | Thyhazard | Liar |
| 16 | King Ly Chee | 在路上 feat. Andrew Neufeld (Comeback Kid) |
| 17 | Shut Up! Shut Down! | Bros Holds On Firm Bloods |
| 18 | Raving Jokes | No Vain |
| 19 | The Falling | Circle II Circle |
| 20 | Mary Dolls | 2012 |
We have already interviewed a number of these bands above and you can check out the interviews here:
PS: Photo taken from Multi Ego‘s Douban page.
Same as the band EVILTHORN in the photo above, we are currently applying the last corpse paint on CORE IN CHINA. What does that mean?
Well, except having ended the official submission deadline, we have finalized the band and song selection for CORE IN CHINA. We have chosen 20 outstanding songs from all over China to be part of the compilation representing the new Chinese Metal underground on a global scale. And when we say represent on a global scale, then we mean global scale, because we are not lazy, but have started talking to magazines and webzines in Germany, South America, France, the USA, India and a couple of other countries whether they would like to review or feature the compilation. Unsurprisingly the feedback so far is very open-minded and we expected to be able to send out download links to most of our contacts.
If you have any contacts or friends or know someone that we should contact and forward the compilation (once it’s finished), tell us! Either send us an email to AZCHAEL AT ROCKINCHINA DOT COM or just post your comments here! We love to hear from you!
By the way, the photo is from a metal concert way back in 2008 in Beijing.
Another participant of the CORE IN CHINA project has answered our tidious questions about metal and the Chengdu scene: Post hardcore band Raving Jokes.
Azchael: Can you please introduce yourself and the band RAVING JOKES?
Raving Jokes: My name is Huang Yao, currently serving as the band lead guitarist position. Our band was formed very rough, in the process of 2 years which replaced many times musicians, only I was the oldest member, now our team members are college students. The band members are metalcore fan, love of core music, so everyone together to rehearse what are more understanding.
Azchael: Have you guys signed with any record label?
Raving Jokes: Now we band also did not sign the record company, there is no fixed brand, adding some band union.
Azchael: What is the scene in Chengdu like? Are there many metalcore bands?
Raving Jokes: Now the Chengdu underground rock development is very optimistic, in Chengdu what style of music have, Chengdu people to the atmosphere! I now know Chengdu metalcore band may have more than 10 branches!
Azchael: What other domestic bands do you like?
Raving Jokes: There are many I like, such as Twisted Machine, Left Right , The Falling…
Azchael: What is metalcore for you?
Raving Jokes: The metalcore is let me one’s blood boils with indignation. Can proceed without hesitation, a kind of energy, cause whatever I do will have the power of fire.
Azchael: Is your music and your way of life accepted by your parents?
Raving Jokes: The present situation of rock this way I can not go on, but I will adhere to not go now, but I will not erase the love of rock. My parents are very much against it, but we take part in some large-scale music festival, parents see my efforts, gradually changed the original attitude, as long as I do not delay the study they are all for me to go.
Azchael: In 2011, you went through a tour of Yunnan. What do you think of the scene there? Are there many metalcore fans?
Raving Jokes: Last year’s Yunnan tour is the first tour of our band, is unforgettable tour, although each acting out of many people, but in the tour process, we made a lot of local band musicians, exchange a lot of experience, processing a lot in the tour occurred during a temporary problem, let our tour the band’s each people more profound feelings, the first Yunnan tour gave us a lot of valuable experience.
Azchael: How do you promote your music? Do you promote overseas?
Raving Jokes: We want to put our own original DEMO recorded for the end of the year, after the issuance of the band ‘s first EP. At present we have not to overseas to promote our own music.
Azchael: What is underground for you? Are you underground?
Raving Jokes: I think the ground like a mine, wait for others to mining, while the band is the various types of various condition of ore. Our band is a mine which is slowly evolving ore.
Azchael: What do you think of Rock in China?
Raving Jokes: I think Rock in China is a way to the mine, or Rock in China is a rock bridge connecting with overseas. All in all I think Rock in China must exist!
Azchael: Thanks for the interview.
Raving Jokes: THANKS A LOT！
Posted in Article, City Scene Chengdu, Metal in China
Today is March 15th 2012 and today is the last day for submission of songs for the CORE IN CHINA project. Hereby the submission is closed and we are very thankful for your songs! Over 20 bands from all over China have participated and send us their musical creations.
From now on Rock in China is coordinating with all bands to fix the band biographies, interviews (if not already happened), song lyrics and final version of the songs (good quality mp3). Everything considered, May 2012 is only one-and-a-half months away and there is a lot to be done! Let’s do it!
Note: Above photo is from the band Mary Dolls.
Rock in China is proud to announce that also a band from Macau joined the CORE IN CHINA compilation project and submitted a song. Here is our interview with them about the Macau scene and metalcore. Azchael for Rock in China.
Azchael: Can you please introduce yourself and the band?
Villain: Villain is the only metalcore band in Macau at this moment. The band was formed in 2009 by five locals: Lone (vocal), Celestino and Jerry (guitars), Fernando (bass) and Meatball (drum).
Azchael: Which instruments are you using, which brand?
Villain: Celestino – Gibson SG Standard (replaced the original pickups with EMG 81/85), Mesa Boogie Single Rectifier and Line 6 POD HD500.
Jerry – Jackson DK2 (replaced the bridge pickup with Seymour Duncan JB), Engl Powerball and Tech21-Sansamp GT2 (for gigs outside of Macau).
Fernando – Ibanez SR505, Hartke HA500 and MXR Bass D.I.+.
Azchael: Macau is a fairly small scene and city, compared to Beijing or Wuhan. Can you describe the music environment in Macau?
Villain: The music scene in Macau is very weak. Most of the bands in Macau are pop rock bands; and there are some bands playing other kinds of music such as post-rock, alternative rock, electro, etc. You may like to check the bands like Why Ocean, Forget the G, L.A.V.Y., Scamper and Evade, etc….
Azchael: What is the reception of metalcore music in Macau? It certainly isn’t mainstream, so how big is the scene?
Villain: Most people may find Metalcore more “acceptable” compared to other kinds of metal, so it will be easier for Metalcore to gain popularity among the young people. Like I said, we are the only metalcore band here in Macau. We used to have some good metal bands in the past like De-Aqua and Uni-k, but they stopped playing for some reasons.
Azchael: As I see that you have played in various cities in the Pearl River Delta, including Zhuhai and Hongkong, what was the reception of the audiences there to your music?
Villain: Undoubtedly, the audiences in Hong Kong and Mainland China are much more enthusiastic than those in the Macau. They never fail to show a tremendous amount of passion and enthusiasm in every concert they attend. We have had so many great experiences performing onstage in Hong Kong and Mainland China as we were thoroughly encouraged by the way the audiences supported us. In contrast, Macau people are generally passive and quiet. Can you imagine there are only 5 or 6 out of 150 audience doing mosh pit in the gig and the rest just stand there with their arms folded? Fortunately, the audiences in Macau are becoming more involved and we definitely look forward to a bigger scene in the future. We also hope that Macau will have more bands playing different kinds of music other than pop rock. We have enough pop-rock bands here.
Azchael: Have you ever thought about touring in China?
Villain: Sure, but we would like to record an EP before the tour and we hope we can do that.
Azchael: What do you see as the major influences in metalcore for your band and the current Chinese scene?
Villain: As metal is still not very popular within Macau’s music circle, we believe that Metalcore is a good starting point to draw people’s interest in it. For those who just have their first encounter with heavy music, Metalcore is more “acceptable” and relatively “softer”. Once the audiences have got used to metalcore, they will go for something heavier.
Azchael: Do you have plans to release a CD or EP anytime soon?
Villain: Yes, we are trying to produce an EP in near future.
Azchael: How do you promote your music? Being in Macau, do you rely on Douban or Facebook?
Villain: We are promoting our music through a variety of social network such as Facebook, Douban and Myspace. We have already uploaded some demos to Douban and Myspace. Please check the following links – http://www.myspace.com/villainmac or http://www.douban.com/artist/VillainMac.
Azchael: Do you promote internationally (except China)?
Villain: We seldom do that on purpose, but those who are interested in our music can check us on Douban or Myspace.
Azchael: What do you think of RockinChina.com?
Villain: Honestly this is our first time to hear about RockinChina.com, but we will start checking this site regularly from now on!
Posted in Article, City Scene Macau, Metal in China
Tagged CORE IN CHINA, Macau Metalcore, Metalcore, Villain
Guangzhou band Thyhazard has joined the CORE IN CHINA project and submitted a very interesting song called “Liar” to the team of Rock in China. We are still listening to the song and am very glad that such a cross-genre exists in China. Hence we immediatelly emailed the band and forwarded our questions to them. Here is what they answered – Azchael for Rock in China, Tao for Thyhazard.
Azchael: Can you please introduce yourself and Thyhazard?
Tao: You can call me Tao,and I’m the sampler of Thyhazard. Thyhazard is an electronicore band,formed in Guangzhou in 2010. The band consists of vocalist Caoshu, guitarist Li and Yu, bassist Cheung, drummer Xing and sampler Tao.
Azchael: What instruments are you using? Which brand?
Tao: I’m mainly using a Roland SP-555 sampler,a KORG X-50 synthesizer and a Macbook Pro.
Azchael: Can you please tell me a little bit more about the scene in Guangzhou? Are there a lot of nintendocore or electronicore bands?
Tao: Guangzhou is absolutely an amazing city for those who like indie-music. The atmosphere here is great and people are very kind.
We have many great local bands and electronic music artists, but somehow ninthedocore or electronicore bands are much less here.
Azchael: What inspired you to do Electronicore?
Tao: We all like metalcore and electronic music includes techno,breakbeat,dubstep,etc.We were first inspired by some awesome bands like Asking Alexandria,Crossfaith and Attack Attack!.Then we started to think that it was a really funny stuff to blend two different genres together and electronicore must be a great thing for us to learn and play.
Azchael: Nintendocore band HORSE THE BAND was in China in March 2008. Did you have the chance to watch one of their shows?
Tao: No I didn’t have that chance because I had to prepare for the college entrance examination.It’s such a pity.
Azchael: Which other bands from China do you like to perform with?
Tao: There are so many great bands in China that we want to perform with,such as Tookoo,The Sweet Escape,Why Lazy,New Tank,Multi-Ego…we have too much to mention.
Azchael: What is underground for you? Are you underground?
Tao: In my opinion,underground is a life style that bands emphasizing independence and creativity write or perform songs about their lives in the real world. Also,if underground fans like a band,they like it for real.Not a lot of people know underground bands.In other words,underground bands aren’t mainstream; thus, I think we are underground.
Azchael: When will you record and release your first CD?
Tao: Actually we are preparing for our first EP and it will be released in the following months.And surely we all hope that we can release a full-length CD in the near future.
Azchael: How do you promote your music? Do you also promote internationally?
Tao: We mainly promote our music by internet websites,such as Douban,Myspace and Facebook. Also,to join some band shows is the way we promote ourselves in some degree.
Azchael: What do you think of Rock in China and CORE IN CHINA?
Tao: It is a great website for people who like rock and any other indie-music in China. It has substantial informations and it also is a good way for underground bands in China to promote their music to the world.
Azchael: Thanks for the interview!You’re welcome.It’s my pleasure to have this interview.
Tao: Thank you.
PS: Unfortunately we couldnt allocate a youtube video for Thyhazard or bring Youku to play in WordPress, hence if you wanna see them in action, check out this video of their live performance on December 9th 2011.
Posted in City Scene Guangzhou, Metal in China
Tagged CORE IN CHINA, Electronicore, Guangzhou Metal, Thyhazard
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