Message from the Leader

Taiwan’s cultural landscape is rich with layers of imagination, with folk legends reflecting the island’s vivid inner world. In the realm of metal, local bands have carved out a sound that is unmistakably their own. By blending traditional instruments, minor modes, folk melodies, and historical themes, they have brought Taiwanese metal to the global stage. As both a therapist and a metal vocalist, I see a deep connection between metal and healing. Both invite us to confront our inner darkness with honesty, to let our emotions be seen and heard, and to transform that raw energy into creative power.

Among the Taiwanese bands invited to perform in Finland, CHTHONIC stands out as a pioneering force that helped bring Taiwanese metal to the global stage. Often seen as the founding voice of “Taiwanese folk metal,” they’ve set the standard for blending music with cultural identity. Flesh Juicer takes this further by mixing the piercing sounds of the suona with elements of traditional faith and local folklore, revealing the bold possibilities of a uniquely Taiwanese metal sound. Led by a female vocalist, Crescent Lament stands out in Taiwan’s metal scene. Their evocative use of the erhu and lyrical female voice weaves Taiwan’s history from a woman’s perspective into a deeply moving sonic journey.

For this performance, Taiwanese designers were invited to collaborate with the bands on their stage looks. INF, known for its signature deconstruction aesthetic, created black-and-white costumes for Crescent Lament featuring prints inspired by the traditional gam-á-tiàm (corner shop). INF also designed a striking outfit for me: a red asymmetrical cropped top with wide sleeves, paired with a deconstructed skirt made of raven feathers. This marks our first cross-disciplinary collaboration with a fashion designer, and we look forward to seeing the creative chemistry that emerges from each designer-band pairing on stage.

At the press event on the day of the performance, DJ Sonia Calico will also take the stage. As a key figure in Taiwan’s electronic music scene and a rising name internationally, her appearance offers Finnish audiences a chance to experience another dynamic facet of Taiwanese sound.

I am honored to lead the team on this journey. Through this trip, I hope to bring the cultural energy of Taiwan to Finland, and allow more people to witness and feel the unique beauty of Taiwanese art and creativity.