The Chinese Xié Gòu release their debut full-length, «无何有 (Wu He You)», shortly after last year’s EP. The group builds on funeral doom but adds something rare for the genre: Chinese traditional instruments.
Country: China
Genre: Funeral Doom Metal / Folk
For fans of: Bell Witch, Ahab, Colosseum
The listen
What sets Xié Gòu apart from the genre average is their use of Chinese folk music. Member 简七 plays traditional wooden winds and strings throughout the record, something never heard before in funeral doom. The problem is that these instruments almost get lost in the mix — they sound like ghosts behind the noise of distortion — while the harsh vocals and the programmed drums are too loud. At some points, like the start of «桂树 (The Lunar Osmanthus)», the mix shifts abruptly and the flute suddenly juts out, which grates on the ear.
The flute alternates with the electric guitar, but rarely strays beyond two notes. Unlike bands such as Bell Witch or Ahab, who explore their tonal range richly, Xié Gòu wrote a record without substantial melody. Some moments, like the flute passage in «神山 (The Sacred Mountain)», recall the Aztec death whistle — thematically fitting, but unpleasant to the ear.
Beyond the Chinese instruments, though, the rest of the record moves along familiar paths. The slow riffs are decent by funeral doom standards, but the production reduces their impact. One of the best moments is the middle of «桂树», where the tempo rises and the oriental atmosphere surfaces — but the track ends with four minutes of almost isolated guitar.
«无何有 (Wu He You)» is more interesting as an idea than as an execution. Xié Gòu need significant work on production and more cohesive long tracks to reach their potential. «桂树 (The Lunar Osmanthus)» stands out.
See also: ARGUL – Soledad & Orgullo · SCALD – Relics
