Sound Therap by Unknown&Lin: A Blackened Gem from China’s Underground Scene
Alright, let me just say this upfront—Sound Therap isn’t your typical black metal album. Released back in 2014 under Kill The Light Productions, it’s got that raw edge you’d expect from the genre but with a vibe that feels like it came straight outta left field. And yeah, I know what you’re thinking: “Black metal? From China?” Trust me, though, this one’s worth paying attention to.
The band, Unknown&Lin, doesn’t mess around when it comes to creating atmosphere. It’s dark, heavy, and kinda haunting—but not in an over-the-top way. More like… unsettlingly beautiful? Yeah, that works. This album is packed with tracks that hit hard emotionally, even if they don’t always follow traditional structures. Let’s dive into two songs that stuck with me after spinning this record for days.
First up, there’s “Deep Ocean.” Man, this track hits different. The opening riff immediately pulls you into some kind of abyssal world where everything feels cold and endless (you know, like the actual deep ocean). But here’s the thing—it’s not all blast beats and shrieks. There are these quiet moments where the guitars almost sound melodic, like sunlight breaking through water. It gives you time to breathe before dragging you back down again. Honestly, I kept coming back to this song because it felt cinematic without trying too hard. Like, imagine being lost at sea but also enjoying the view somehow? Weird analogy, but hey, it fits.
Then there’s “Foreign,” which is probably my favorite on the album. What makes this one stand out is how chaotic yet controlled it feels. The vocals are intense—like someone screaming their soul out—but the instrumentation keeps things grounded. Around the halfway mark, there’s this eerie breakdown that sounds almost hypnotic. You can tell these guys weren’t just throwing stuff together; every note feels intentional. Plus, the title itself (“Foreign”) makes me think about feeling out of place or disconnected, which matches the mood perfectly. Relatable, right?
Other tracks like “Without You” and “Goodbay Summer” (yeah, spelled wrong—it’s part of the charm) have their own quirks too. Some lean more melancholic while others go full-on aggressive, but none of them feel filler-y. Even the closing track, “Erden Necht,” leaves you with this unresolved tension that lingers long after the music stops.
Here’s the kicker: as much as Sound Therap nails the black metal aesthetic, it doesn’t feel like it’s trying to copy anyone else. Sure, you might hear echoes of European influences, but this has its own identity. Maybe it’s the Chinese background shining through subtly, or maybe it’s just Unknown&Lin doing their own weird thing. Either way, it works.
So yeah, if you’re into black metal—or even if you’re just curious about something outside the usual Western scene—you need to check this out. Oh, and here’s a random thought: listening to this album feels like staring at storm clouds rolling in. Beautifully terrifying, y’know?
