Tang Dynasty (band)

Tang Dynasty
Tang Dynasty performing in 2004.
Background information
OriginBeijing, China
GenresProgressive metal, heavy metal, folk metal, art rock
Years active1989–present
Labels
  • Rock
  • Jingwen
  • Starsing
MembersDing Wu
Zhao Nian
Gu Zhong
Liu Jingwei
Fu Dalong
Past membersZhang Ju
Liu Yijun
Kaiser Kuo
Chen Lei
Yu Yang
Andrew Szabo
Websitehttp://tangchao.ent.163.com

Tang Dynasty (Chinese: 唐朝; pinyin: Táng Cháo) is a Chinese rock band formed in 1989. They are often credited as being the first Chinese heavy metal band[1][2] and the first band in Asia to fusion folk metal as well.[3][4]

History

Singer and rhythm guitarist Ding Wu, bassist Zhang Ju, and Chinese-American guitarist Kaiser Kuo co-founded Tang Dynasty in early 1989.[5][6] Kuo left shortly after to return to the United States, with Liu "Lao Wu" Yijun taking his place. According to Kaiser, went on to become China's first "guitar hero."[5] In 1990 the band participated in the Chinese modern rock concert,[7] where they performed early versions of two of their eventual songs. In 1991, the band released its metal/rock version of "The Internationale" in Chinese.[8]

Tang Dynasty rose to fame with their eponymous debut album, released in December 1992. The album officially sold about 2,000,000 authentic copies throughout Asia and abroad, not counting the multitudes more of infringing copies. Their sound is part progressive rock and artistic metal and part traditional Chinese vocal technique. The lyrical poetry and musical arrangements meant to hearken back to the glorious days of ancient Chinese civilization; in particular, the art and cultural epitome of Chinese history as popularly represented by the era of the Tang dynasty.[9]

In 1993, Tang Dynasty performed at "The Chinese Avant Garde", a concert featuring Cui Jian, Cobra, and Wang Yong, some of the most prominent rock artists from China at the time. During this concert, they would play songs from their first album, closing the concert with "The Internationale". In 1994, Tang Dynasty performed at "The Power of Chinese Rock Bands" alongside Dou Wei, Zhang Chu, and He Yong, closing the concert with "Choice" and "Soaring Bird". Tragedy struck when bassist Zhang Ju died on May 11, 1995, when his motorcycle collided with a truck on the Zizhuqiao freeway overpass in western Beijing. Gu Zhong joined the band to fill the empty role of bass player. That August, Liu left the band. Co-founder Kaiser Kuo rejoined as guitarist in August 1996.[5] During this time, the band had developed creativity conflicts and had parted with their Magic Stone Label, Almost disbanding during this era.

The band's 1998 release Epic was their second album, seven years after their debut record. The record received less recognition, as many believed the album had abandoned Tang Dynasty's oriental rock style for a more western style. In 1999, Tang Dynasty would hold a series of live performances showcasing tracks on Epic along with some popular tracks from Tang Dynasty. Kaiser again parted company with Tang Dynasty in June 1999 after a multitude of disagreements with Ding brought to a head by the bombing of the Chinese Embassy in Yugoslavia. He would later form another well-recognized metal/rock band, Spring and Autumn (Chunqiu).[5][10] Kaiser was replaced by former Iron Kite frontman Yu Yang, and then by young guitar virtuoso Chen Lei in late 2000. After some more member changes, Liu rejoined the group in 2002.

Tang Dynasty released their third album Romantic Knight ("Langman Qishi") in mid-2008, featuring "Feng Shan Ji" as the album's lead track.[11] Kaiser appeared in the Western documentary by Sam Dunn, Global Metal, released that same year.[12]

In January 2009, Liu announced his second departure from the band due to "personal reasons." Vocalist Ding filled the spot of second guitarist.[13] In February 2010, Ding Wu announced that the band was preparing for their fourth release due out later in the year.[14] The next month, Tang Dynasty put out a two-song EP entitled Ups and Downs. The band released their fourth album, Thorn, in November 2013, and toured outside China for the first time in nearly two decades.

On February 20, 2019, Tang Dynasty revealed on Weibo that lead guitarist Chen Lei had been replaced by Liu Jingwei and Fu Dalong, again making the band a five-piece lineup.[15]

Members

Timeline

Discography

Studio albums

EPs

  • 2000 - 演义单曲纪念珍藏版 (Epic (single))
  • 2010 - 沉浮 (Ups and Downs)

Compilations

  • 90 Modern Music Concert (1990) - "谁都希望"; "粉雾"
  • China Fire I (1992) - "飞翔鸟"
  • A Tribute to Teresa Teng (1995) - "独上西楼"
  • Goodbye Zhang Ju (1997) - "月梦"
  • True Love Forever (2000) - "花儿为什么这样红"; "明月千里寄相思"
  • Gift - "春蚕"

See also

References

  1. ^ Pellicer, Laura; Stasio, Frank (2019-02-04). "Meet The Man Behind China's First Heavy Metal Band". WUNC News. Retrieved 2026-02-03.
  2. ^ "Tang Dynasty". Time Out Hong Kong. Archived from the original on 2021-09-21. Retrieved 2026-02-03.
  3. ^ Lagarda, Beto (2026-02-01). "Cómo China reinterpretó el metal extremo occidental". Science of Noise - Rock Magazine (in Spanish). Retrieved 2026-02-03.
  4. ^ world, Taiwan Panorama Magazine | An international, bilingual magazine for Chinese people around the. "The People's Republic of Rock". Taiwan Panorama Magazine | An international, bilingual magazine for Chinese people around the world (in Chinese). Retrieved 2026-02-03.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  5. ^ a b c d "Interview: Kaiser Kuo (Chunqiu, Tang Dynasty)". DeathMetal.org. October 17, 2008. Retrieved March 31, 2017.
  6. ^ CGTN (2016-06-13). Interview with founder of rock band Tang Dynasty. Retrieved 2026-02-03 – via YouTube.
  7. ^ Peacock, Tim (2026-01-24). "Anarchy Around The World: Punk Goes Global". uDiscover Music. Retrieved 2026-02-03.
  8. ^ "Sunday Old School: Tang Dynasty". MetalUnderground.com. Archived from the original on 2024-12-04. Retrieved 2026-02-03.
  9. ^ Wang, Qian (October 2007). "The Crisis of Chinese Rock in the mid-1990s: Weaknessin Form or Weakness in content" (PDF). hesissubmittedin accordancewith the requirementsof the University of Liverpool for the degreeof Doctor in Philosophy: 212–213.
  10. ^ Kaiser Kuo: Biography
  11. ^ Tang Dynasty Band for 2008 New Album Ethnic Prog Art Rock, Culture Express
  12. ^ Review of Global Metal Archived 2016-03-09 at the Wayback Machine
  13. ^ http://ent.newssc.org/system/2009/01/17/011480367.shtml Archived 2011-07-23 at the Wayback Machine (in Chinese)
  14. ^ "Tang Dynasty rock band to release new EP - China.org.cn".
  15. ^ "唐朝乐队2019开年首演 新阵容正式曝光亮相". QQ. 20 February 2019.
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