Meeting Chthonic ahead of their appearance at Formosa:Finland:Fest felt less like a routine interview and more like a quiet checkpoint in a journey that has been unfolding for nearly three decades. As pioneers of Taiwanese metal, Chthonic have long fused extreme metal with traditional instruments, folklore, and history. But when asked what still drives them after all these years, the answer was surprisingly simple: curiosity. “This is quite a journey with fruitful and diverse experiences,” they reflected, adding that they still want to see where that journey leads next.

That same organic mindset carries into how Chthonic incorporate traditional Taiwanese instruments into their music. Rather than starting from historical concepts, the process begins with melody. Certain melodic structures naturally call for specific instruments, whether it’s pentatonic lines suited to two-string violins or Anga-influenced melodies that feel right with more traditional textures. “It depends on what kind of melodies I come up with,”  always in service of finding the right emotional balance.

Asked to choose a single song or story that could introduce Taiwan to an unfamiliar audience, the band hesitated. Almost all of their material is rooted in Taiwanese culture, often touching on painful or tragic chapters. In the end, they pointed to their most recent work (‘百萬遍 Endless Aeons’) as the clearest representation, music that reflects both the diversity of their sound and the idea of Taiwan as a culture that continues to endure, adapt, and move forward.

Performing that deeply Taiwanese metal in Finland, a country with its own strong metal heritage, feels natural to them now. While early visits came with uncertainty, they’ve learned that connection doesn’t require explanation. “Just let music speak,” they said. Much like their own first encounters with Finnish metal, the emotional impact arrives before intellectual understanding.

Beyond their own work, Chthonic were eager to highlight the breadth of Taiwan’s music scene, recommending artists ranging from indie/pop rock bands Hue and 芒果醬 MangoJump, math-rock exporters Elephant Gym, alternative rockers 草東沒有派對 No Party For Cao Dong to culturally rooted acts like 拍謝少年╱Sorry Youth. The message was clear: Taiwanese music cannot be reduced to a single genre or sound.

Looking ahead, Chthonic hope this cultural exchange is only the beginning. With new material slowly taking shape and a clear desire to return for full European shows, the journey they spoke of is far from finished.

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