Tang Dynasty (band)

Tang Dynasty

Tang Dynasty performing in 2004.
Background information
Origin Beijing, China
Genres Progressive rock, art rock, folk metal, heavy metal
Years active 1988–present
Labels China Fire-Magic Stone-Rock (1992-1997), Jingwen (1998-2001), Jingguan
Associated acts Budaoweng, Black Panther, Breathing, White Angel, The Micro-organists, Spring and Autumn
Members Ding Wu
Zhao Nian
Gu Zhong
Chen Lei
Past members Zhang Ju
Kaiser Kuo
Yu Yang
Liu Yijun

Tang Dynasty (Chinese: 唐朝乐队; pinyin: Tángcháo yuèduì) is a Chinese rock/metal band formed in 1988. They are often credited as being the first heavy metal band in China.

Biography

Singer and rhythm guitarist Ding Wu, bassist Zhang Ju, and Chinese-American guitarist Kaiser Kuo co-founded Tang Dynasty in early 1989.[1] Kaiser left shortly after to return to America. Liu "Lao Wu" Yijun took his place and, according to Kaiser, went on to become China's first "guitar hero."[1] In 1991, the band released its metal/rock version of "The Internationale" in Chinese.

Tang Dynasty rose to fame with their first major album A Dream Return to Tang Dynasty (1991/2). 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.

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 became bass player, but in August Liu left the band. Co-founder Kaiser Kuo rejoined as guitarist in August 1996.[1]

The band's 1998 release Epic was their second album, seven years after their debut record. Kaiser again parted company with Tang Dynasty in June 1999 and later formed another well-recognized metal/rock band, Spring and Autumn (Chunqiu).[1][2] 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.[3] Kaiser appeared in the Western documentary by Sam Dunn, Global Metal, released that same year.[4]

In January 2009, Liu announced his second departure of the band due to "personal reasons"; he is now working with an Austrian neo-classical rock artist on an album stated to be out by 2010. Vocalist Wu is currently filling the spot of the second guitarist.[5] In February 2010, Ding Wu announced that the band was preparing for the fourth release that due out later in the year.[6]

Members

Former members

Discography

Studio albums

A Dream Return to Tang Dynasty (梦回唐朝, 1992)

Tang Dynasty
A Dream Return to Tang Dynasty
Studio album by Tang Dynasty
Released 1992year
Genre Progressive Metal
Label Magic Stone
Producer Jia Shuming
Tang Dynasty chronology
Tang Dynasty
1992year		 Epic
1998yearString Module Error: Match not foundString Module Error: Match not found

All tracks written by Tang Dynasty.

No.TitleLength
1."梦回唐朝(A Dream Return to Tang Dynasty)"7:06
2."太阳(Sun)"5:55
3."九拍(Nine beats)"6:37
4."天堂(Heaven)"4:23
5."选择(Choice)"5:49
6."飞翔鸟(Soaring Bird)"7:06
7."世纪末之梦( Dream of the Doomsday)"4:57
8."月梦(Moon Dreams)"4:49
9."不要逃避(Don't Go Hiding)"4:37
10."传说(legend)"4:44
11."国际歌(The Internationale)" (International Edition additional tracks)4:27

Epic (演义, 1998)

All tracks written by Tang Dynasty.

No.TitleLength
1."演义"9:45
2."时间"6:59
3."异乡客"11:05
4."黑色幽默"4:22
5."缘生缘灭"8:10
6."你的幻境"4:36
7."路桥"8:08
8."童年"5:00
9."送别"4:28
10."时间（现场演唱版）" (Taiwan edition additional tracks)6:59
11."你的幻境（现场演唱版）" (Taiwan edition additional tracks)7:44

Romantic Knight (浪漫骑士, 2008)

  1. 嚎叫列车
  1. 快乐的忧愁
  2. 浪漫骑士
  3. 路
  4. 封禅祭
  5. 承诺
  6. 追溯
  7. 绝望致谎言
  8. 大风歌
  9. 快乐的忧愁（伴奏）
  10. 浪漫骑士（伴奏）

Prick (芒刺, 2013)

  1. 芒刺
  2. 斑马线
  3. 麋鹿的眼泪
  4. 睡莲
  5. 大象不抱怨
  6. 梅花赐
  7. 紫叶
  8. 沉浮
  9. 响尾蛇
  10. 异乡客·岚池

See also

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 "Interview: Kaiser Kuo (Chunqiu, Tang Dynasty)". DeathMetal.org. October 17, 2008. Retrieved March 31, 2017.
  2. ↑ Kaiser Kuo: Biography
  3. ↑ Tang Dynasty Band for 2008 New Album Ethnic Prog Art Rock, Culture Express
  4. ↑ Review of Global Metal
  5. ↑ http://ent.newssc.org/system/2009/01/17/011480367.shtml (in Chinese)
  6. ↑ http://china.org.cn/arts/2010-02/26/content_19481932.htm
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