Jhenyuetang
- Taiwan -
#Taiwanese Temple Culture
JhenYueTang bases its works on Taiwanese folk beliefs,
combining the clamorous Beiguan style and rap rhythms with rock and electronic music, where the lyrics are incantations sung in Taiwanese. The five members wear facial makeup symbolizing deities, complete with skirts bearing dragons and tigers, turning themselves into heralds of gods on the stage, where they set up altar and spread ritualistic sounds. This drastic reimagination of traditional culture shapes the unprecedented style of the band.
JhenYueTang reinterprets the art of facial makeup by combining the traditional “divine general” faces with Western musical symbols through the hands of expert makeup artists. The results are unique faces for each of the five “Music Generals”—an embodiment of a cross-genre fusion of Eastern and Western cultures that is truly in a class of its own.
REviews
“Regardless of their openness to infuse indigenous music with modern elements, JhenYueTang remains committed to presenting the intrinsic values that are often attributed to Taiwanese cultural traditions, particularly the art of performing spiritual rituals and divine invocations through music.” - Ian Urrutia (The Rest Is Noise, PH)
video
album
Gods on parade
2023
Drawing inspiration from prominent folk religious processions in Taiwan, this album intertwines the nuanced interpretations of temple vocabulary with the harmonious sounds of traditional instruments and melodies. It seamlessly blends elements from popular music genres including rap, rock, and electronic music. Beyond merely recreating traditional scenes, it endeavors to reimagine and revitalize the sonic essence of Taiwan's temple festival culture.
Come to the
Offering!
2018
The creative concept originates from Taiwan's local folk beliefs, infusing rock energy with a new evolution of Beiguan (Northern tunes) festive hall style. Unconventional lyrics for ritual chants bring about a new revolution in the rap genre. Amidst the clash of Eastern and Western cultures, "'Gods on Parade" introduces an unprecedented contemporary musical experience.
journal
JhenYueTang: Blurring The Divide Between Tradition And Innovation
Embrace Harmony Sounds from Land : Earth Stage
