Nine Treasures: Mongolian Folk Metal Pioneers

Nine Treasures is a Chinese folk metal band that fuses traditional Mongolian instrumentation with the power of heavy metal. Hailing from Inner Mongolia, the band has achieved significant recognition, with their 2017 album "Wisdom Eyes" charting internationally and helping to define the burgeoning Asian folk metal scene.

Early career

Nine Treasures was formed in Beijing in 2010 by vocalist and horse-head fiddle player Askhan. The band's founding members, united by their Mongolian heritage, sought to create a new sound by blending throat singing, the morin khuur, and the tovshuur with aggressive guitar riffs and driving rhythms. Their self-titled debut album, independently released in 2012, quickly established their unique identity and garnered a dedicated following within China's underground metal community.

Breakthrough

The band's international breakthrough arrived with their sophomore album, "Wisdom Eyes," released in 2017. This album, distributed by the label Scythe Music, captured global attention for its polished production and anthemic songwriting, leading to extensive touring across Europe and Asia. Tracks from the album received heavy rotation on international metal radio streams, solidifying Nine Treasures as leading ambassadors of Mongolian folk metal.

Key tracks

Black Heart — This fan-favorite track from their debut is a staple of their live set, perfectly encapsulating their early fusion of galloping rhythms and traditional melodies.

Ten Years — A key song from "Wisdom Eyes," it showcases a more refined, epic approach and became a major hit on metal video channels.

Arvan Ald Guulin Honshoor — Featuring powerful throat singing and a relentless pace, this song is a definitive example of their cultural and musical synthesis.

The Dream About Ancient City — This track highlights the band's ability to weave atmospheric, folk-driven narratives within a metal framework.

Following their breakthrough, Nine Treasures continued to build momentum with albums like 2019's "Awakening from Dukkha" and 2022's "Source," which further expanded their sonic palette. They have collaborated with other notable folk metal artists and performed at major festivals worldwide, from Wacken Open Air in Germany to their own headlining tours. Their consistent output and electrifying live performances have cemented their status as genre pioneers.

Fans of Nine Treasures' distinctive blend of cultural heritage and modern metal often enjoy similar artists from the region. The HU is another globally successful Mongolian folk rock group known for their traditional instrumentation. Tengger Cavalry was a foundational act in the scene, blending nomadic folk with extreme metal. Hanggai brings authentic Mongolian folk music to a contemporary rock audience. Ego Fall is a Chinese folk metal band from Inner Mongolia that shares a similar energetic and cultural approach.

The music of Nine Treasures is a regular feature on specialty radio formats, including online metal radio streams, independent music radio stations, and global folk metal programming. Their most popular songs are frequently requested and played by DJs who cater to audiences seeking culturally rich and powerfully executed heavy music.

Listeners can explore the dynamic sound of Nine Treasures through the radio stations featured on our website. Tune in to discover their music on dedicated metal and world music stations available on onairium.com.