Yes to no great surprise Germany has won the World Cup and football fever is officially over. Personally, I can’t wait to see some Shanghai garbage bins filled with those sexy Tsing Tao soccer girl posters and World Cup shaped beer dispensers. Well Brazil fever is not over yet with this Sunday’s arrival of thrash metal pioneers Sepultura. Damn, I should have saved that Sepultura football jersey I bought from Hot Topic at the tender age of 14. Along with a little Brazilian thrash I’m going to share some classic Chinese metal bands for your pleasure. Watch out, current Norwegian metal kings, for the might of all things dark in China shall soon dethrone you.

Sepultura

This incoming version of Sepultura is considered a fake by many fans, because two of the founding members, Max and Igor Cavalera (of Soulfly / Cavalera Conspiracy), quit the band some years ago. The metal world is split down the middle when it comes to the legitimacy of the current lineup, with Cavalera supporters being the most vocal. But hey, any band with 30 years of history is bound to have lineup changes and internal conflict. That’s just rock n roll. In the late 80’s Sepultura were on the pioneering front of thrash metal. Upon completion of their third album Beneath the Remains in 1989 the band started earning critical success and respectability across multiple metal scenes. However, it was the release of the album Chaos A.D. in the early 90’s that incorporated different musical styles and catapulted the Brazilian boys into becoming a household name. In a classic Yoko situation a few years later in ’96, the band confronted singer Max Cavalera about his wife / band manager Gloria Bujnowski putting too much spotlight focus on the singer. This lead to Max’s departure and having his shoes being filled by American Derrick Green who has played with the band for over 15 years now. A few other notable collaborators over Sepultura’s 30 years history include Mike Patton of Mr. Bungle, Wagner Lamounier of Amebix, and Jean Dolabella of Udora. Now let’s get into some roots bloody roots. Sepultura – "Roots Bloody Roots" Sepultura – "Convicted for Life"

Ritual Day

One of China’s most respected metal bands Ritual Day are a personal favorite and a great way to start your metal Silk Road experience. Leaning towards the black metal side of the fence the band was formed in 2000 and first made an appearance on the Chinese death metal sampler Resurrection of Gods in 2001. That was followed by their first full-length album in 2002, which featured influences from bands Emperor of Mayhem and Dissection. Although Death Metal and Nu-Metal is king in China, the band has been instrumental in building the foundation for a Chinese Black Metal scene. Ritual Day lyrics do not contain the usual references to violence and Satan but instead focus on the beauty of darkness, and as front man Nong Yong says, the black inner scene of themselves. Ritual Day - "Spirit Crusher"

Chaos Mind

What Chinese metal article would be complete without a little taste of Shanghai’s own Chaos Mind. Lead by the dread locked front man Sam Dust, the nu-metal institution are still causing circle pits all across China. Last year they even took a trip across the pond to play in Japan’s Summer Sonic festival. One of the bands finest works is the 2012 album This Is Our Moment, which contains the anthem "Let’s Fight." Sam Dust aka Lao Gao used to run the sound board at Yuyintang and now runs the label / promotion side project Play Warrior who put on regular shows around Shanghai. The Chaos Mind boys are just a good group of rasta loving metal enthusiasts. Chaos Mind - "Let's Fight"

Suffocated

Beijing metal godfathers Suffocated, who started back in 1997 and still active today, are one of China’s most important, hardest working metals bands. Guitarist Zhengyu Kou has been putting on a metal fest called ‘330’ for the past 13 years that features the best of the Chinese metal scene. A couple years ago Suffocated got to play on the infamous Wacken festival in Germany, which is the world’s largest metal event for 23 years running. Suffocated stray from more conventional rock to metal and punk but the real contribution of the band is their promotion of unity and a desire to expand the local scene. Suffocated - Live at Wacken

Explosicum

BAM! Just the existence of the name Explosicum itself is enough to make your mom burst through that bedroom door asking "what’s that noise?" The band hails from Nanchang in Jiangxi Province and their Chinese name "爆浆“ means exploding. Featured on the 2012 comp Thrash Your Life, the band delivers brutal uncompromising metal. Now with over ten years of experience under their belt, Explosicum is best known for the Area Death records release of their album Conflict. Many regard Explosicum as one of the best thrash bands in China. Explosicum - "Thrash Your Life"

Voodoo Kungfu

For shits and giggles let’s throw a little folk metal log on the fire in the form of Voodoo Kungfu. From 1998 to 2003 the band went by the name Masturbation until changing to Voodoo Kungfu. They are probably one of the most hated bands in China due to their unconventional approach to metal. The singer Li Nan describes himself as “not a normal Catholic”, and has warped views on religion. Many of the bands lyrics deal with the front man’s views about god and civilization, which can be a tough sell in China. While not my bag I have to respect that Voodoo Kungfu for trying something different and putting an effort into their stage performances. The band broke up last year so I’m curious what the future has in store for the tattooed singer Li Nan. Here is a cover of the The Eurythmics classic Sweet Dreams. Voodoo Kungfu - "Sweet Dreams" See you kids Sunday at the Sepultura show. I don’t want to see any of you troublemakers wearing those damn Soul Fly shirts either! ***