Lingüa Brütallica - Episode 28: Lynn Wu and Anthony Vanacore of Ou (Beijing, China)

Lingua Brutallica

This episode presents our first look at extreme metal in China by interviewing vocalist Lynn Wu and drummer Anthony Vanacore of convention-defying progressive metal band Ou. Drawing on Anthony's exceptional translation skills, we discuss how Ou's music and lyrics are born of a collaboration between Anthony's heavy musical roots and Lynn's background in popular rock. They explain the goal of this cooperation is to develop a unique musical approach that departs from the metal scene's Western English-language hegemony and typical sound. We discuss how Lynn's use of her native Chinese language allows her to draw on the aestheticism of traditional Chinese characters to create lyrics that appear literary and perhaps 'metal'. The resulting compositions explore opposing forces of dark and light, euphoria and existential dread from the viewpoint of an honest and objective observer. Lynn explains that such expressive lyrics are in part the product of the band's song titles, often consisting of only a single (occasionally obscure) character in length, which offer significant freedom to both lyricist and listener to create and interpret compositions.

To hear more from Ou, follow the band on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/ou.theband and Instagram https://www.instagram.com/ou.theband/?hl=en