TAIWAN'S MUSIC TAPESTRY : RESEARCH

WHEN two worlds collide........... Devil horns meet sutras in Taiwan's first Buddhist death metal band.

TAIPEI : The gig began with a nun chanting on stage but suddenly erupted into a wall of noise unleashed by distorted guitars and screamed sutras - the unique sound of Taiwan's first Buddhist death metal band.

The island has a vibrant metal scene but few outfits are quite as eye-catching as ''Dharma.'' The band aims to deliver enlightenment via the medium of throaty eight-string guitars and guttural roars.

Dressed in robes - black, of course - they use traditional Sanskrit sutras as lyrics. But everything else screams death metal, from bloody face paint on stage, to growled vocals, relentless riffs and double-kick blast beats.

Founder and drummer Jack Tung first came up with the idea 14 years ago, after listening to a recording of Tibetan lamas reciting sutras.

''The way it's sung is like in metal, with some voice distortion,'' he explained, referencing the often throaty low nature of Tibetan chanting. ''This is very similar to death metal music which I like.

Get behind me, Satan

On the face of it, death metal and Buddhism might not appear to be the most natural bedfellows. Early death metal bands - and to more significant extent, their black metal cousins - often reveled in in Satanic and occult themes.

While many were simply trying to shock, some bands - especially out of Scandinavia - were committed Satanists or vehemently anti-religion.

 But like any genre, the scene evolved to a vast array of views and philosophies, Miao-ben, the Buddhist nun who opened a recent Dharma gif in Taipei with traditional chanting, said she had no issue taking the stage alongside such music. Buddhism is not set in form. Having Buddha in our hearts is more important,'' she said.

Unlike more dogmatic faiths, she added, Buddhism is syncretic. ''This is just another form of the Buddhist sutra ceremony.

'Be respectable'

Bringing Dharma together was not easy. ''I asked many people and nobody wanted to be in a 'religious' choir,'' laughed Tung, a practicing Buddhist.

He decided to work on the songs first, primarily with guitarist Andy Lin, who also grew-up in a devout family, and find remaining bandmates later.

They sought the advice of Buddhist Master Chan Song, who provided interpretations to the ancient text and rituals.

Among Master Song's students was Joe Henley, a Canadian who moved to Taiwan 15 years ago and is now the lead singer. ''Buddhism has become a regular part of my life now,'' said Henley, explaining his decision to convert. ''I want to do this right. I wanted to be respectable.''

The band's first single Saota Jina Bhasitam Papa Vinasana Dharani, an incantation about peace and wellness, is currently being mastered at a Polish studio and will be released next month.

''We are getting a lot of attention, I guess because we are doing something new,'' added Henley. ''I'm enjoying the ride the experience,''

The Honor and Serving of the latest publishings and writings on Taiwan's Music and Industry, continues. The World Students Society thanks authors at AFP.