On the tail of National Women’s Month, female-fronted Swedish death metal band Arch Enemy descended on Taiwan on April 1, for their 4th performance here. Women are a rare though rapidly rising populace in a male-dominated and often misogynist genre, where outfits like Cannibal Corpse sing about violent rape and murder, and band names like Anal Cunt and Goatwhore are accepted without a batted eye.

Arch Enemy, though, is known for their fierce live performances and uplifting lyrics, which often focus on strength and encouragement:

If you want the world
Use your mind
Take control
Feel the strength
Rise from within
If you really want it, the world is yours

(From Arch Enemy’s “The World Is Yours.”)

Their concert was opened by Taiwanese band Greedy Black Hole, which also features positive female vocalist Yvonne (香香). She is known as an advocate for gay rights and gender equality, and in their latest promotional photos she wears a rainbow armband. The humble vocalist is a known fan of the Arch Enemy, sporting their towel as they opened for Body on the Party at a show last year held at Jack’s Studio in Ximen.

Their music video F.E.A. deals explicitly with societal rejection faced by homosexuals. I spoke with them:

Female vocalists are a rarity in metal music, did Greedy Black Hole specifically seek out a female vocalist or was it coincidence? Do you think this helps or hinders the band?

Initially when we sought out a female vocalist it was because we were heavily influenced by Arch Enemy. We felt that pairing a female figure with heavy music would create a greater impact on the audience.

While it’s true there are fewer female musicians, in recent years their numbers have been increasing. We think this is a good thing, since it really enriches the realm of metal music.

As for whether it helps or hinders, I think it really depends on the person and not their gender. For us, it is definitely a boon because we are like a family and our interactions are all very peaceable.

In the song F.E.A. the lyrics deal explicitly with discrimination against people of different sexual orientations, as well the newest band picture features a rainbow band. What are the band’s views on this topic and is there anything you’d like to express?

We think that as long as you don’t hurt anyone else, everyone should have the right to pursue the life that they want.

As for the topic of LGBT individuals, they are often discriminated against and attacked from different angles. This is very unfair and unjust. So we wrote the song F.E.A. to support them and hope they will have the courage to pursue the life they want.

How was opening for Arch Enemy?

Actually we opened for them last time they came to Taiwan as well. At that time we were all extremely excited and very nervous since all of us are huge fans of the band. This time we were likewise excited but not as nervous; we just hoped that we would be able to perform well, so that all the fans that came to see Arch Enemy would be able to enjoy our music as well.

Greedy Black Hole (courtesy of Greedy Black Hole)

Arch Enemy kicked off in Singapore, followed by Taiwan, Hong Kong, and five shows in China before ending in Korea for this iteration of their Asia tour.

The band comes off a series of sold out shows in Australia and Europe, including Download Melbourne, and will continue with a continual touring throughout Europe including an appearance at Wacken, the world’s largest metal fest which has also hosted Taiwanese band Chthonic. Their Asia tour is organized by Rock Empire, the same company bringing James Blunt and previously brought Epica, a female fronted symphonic metal band, as well coordinating the release of Lacrimosa in Taiwan.

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This is the fourth time Arch Enemy has performed in Taiwan. How was it the first time compared to this time?

Michael Amott (guitar): I have to say it’s always been fun and interesting experience. We are lucky to have amazing fans and great promoter in Taiwan! Taiwanese and Asian culture in general is highly exotic for us as we are from the northern Western Hemisphere. Of course now are more used to it, so it is not a big culture shock as it maybe was the first time. We’ve been looking forward to this Asian tour for a while now!

Alissa, Taipei was named by PETA as the most vegan friendly city in Asia. Are there any foods or specialties you are keen on trying? (Perhaps stinky tofu or bubble tea?)

Alissa White-Gluz (vocal): I actually stumbled upon an adoption event for cats and dogs last time I was in Taipei, and immediately noticed lots of animal rights organizations nearby. I would love to try local vegan food, that’s one of my favourite things to do while traveling.

The opening band for Taiwan, Greedy Black Hole, feature a female vocalist. What are your thoughts regarding female metal performers in Asia and in the scene as a whole?

Amott: It’s great seeing more women in the Asian Metal scene, not only in the audience but also in the bands and on stage. I would like to think that we have inspired more women with Arch Enemy to be a part of this scene, and it’s good to have Greedy Black Hole to play opening act this time.

Metallica was forced to censor lyrics and refrain from cursing during their performance last year in China. Have you face similar issues before?

Amott: We’ve been going to China to perform shows for more than ten years, and we have not yet faced any problems with such issues. We’ve always enjoyed our concert experience in China, and we are like looking forward to playing cities like Guangzhou, Kunming and Chengdu for the first time on this tour, through the great effort of our Taiwan promoter.

What is your favorite part of touring Asia? How are all the countries different?

Amott: The people, the sights, the food…the Arch Enemy fans are very enthusiastic and supportive of our band, so it’s always an honour and a pleasure to perform for them. There are of course differences between the Asian countries, but when you play a show it’s all about the music, which is the big connection between us and and audience, so the shows always feel great.

Most of the stops on this tour are Sino-centric (HK, Singapore, China, Taiwan) was that a conscious decision?

Amott: I’m not sure why that is the case this time, that is more a question for the promoter of the tour. We are quite open to visiting any country in Asia as long as a show can be organized there.

(Feature photo from Arch Enemy)