Oriental Metal

Oriental metal is a fusion genre that blends traditional heavy metal with elements of Middle Eastern, North African, or East Asian music. Emerging in the late 1990s and gaining popularity in the 2000s, it features a unique combination of distorted guitars and thunderous drums alongside traditional instruments like erhu, morin khuur, or oud. Vocalists often alternate between guttural metal growls and traditional singing styles, sometimes incorporating throat singing. The genre's rhythms are complex, often incorporating folk time signatures and tribal percussion. Lyrically, oriental metal frequently explores cultural mythology, history, and spirituality. It shares similarities with folk metal but is distinguished by its focus on non-European cultural elements. The genre has helped bring attention to traditional music from various regions while offering metal fans a fresh, culturally rich sound. Its impact extends beyond music, sometimes sparking interest in the cultures it draws from and challenging stereotypes about both metal and traditional music.

Latest Oriental Metal Release
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百萬遍
Single - Released March 12, 2025

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Al-Namrood
Amaseffer
Aq Bure
Blaakyum
CHTHONIC
Demonic Resurrection
Ego Fall
Gevolt
Japanese Folk Metal
Khalas
Melechesh
Narjahanam
Nine Treasures
Orphaned Land
Pitch Black Process
Rudra
Sabhankra
Scarab
Stormtide
Suld
Tengger Cavalry
The Down Troddence
Voodoo KungFu
Orphaned Land
Tengger Cavalry
Melechesh
Sabhankra
Nine Treasures
CHTHONIC
Pitch Black Process
Al-Namrood
Japanese Folk Metal
Voodoo KungFu
Ego Fall
The Down Troddence
Stormtide
Amaseffer
Gevolt
Suld
Rudra
Khalas
Blaakyum
Narjahanam
Scarab
Demonic Resurrection
Aq Bure