Until the 2000s, the ancient city of Xi’an has yet to show signs of cultivating one of the largest metal scenes in northwestern China. However, an increasing number of cultural derivatives was emerging under the influence of the city’s profound cultural heritage. In terms of music, bands embracing the new century’s metal storm also decided to follow their beliefs and created music in their preferred style. Cut At Waist was one of them. Formed in 1998, Cut At Waist testified the birth and growth of Chinese Brutal Death Metal. In the last two decades and beyond, the band has continued to unleash the very essence of brutal death metal to the extreme. Savored by fans were the tracks ‘Internal Hemorrhage’ and ‘Slaughter’, included in ‘Resurrection of The Gods 3’ and ‘China Runs Blood’, respectively, that do justice to Brutal Death Metal’s lethal and gruesome attack. In 2020, Cut At Waist was signed to Mort Production then performed at Resurrection of The Gods, China Runs Blood, and other iconic festivals presented by Mort. Cut At Waist will release ‘Fractured Cranium’, their first compilation in the 23 years since formation. In these preserved works were a band’s path to maturity, their passion and faith in pursuit of Death Metal’s extreme, morbid sound. Now, let the interview take us closer to these Death Metallers from Northeastern China.
Please briefly introduce Cut At Waist, the forming of the band, the changes in members, and the idea on which the band was formed upon.
Cut At Waist was formed in 1998, and it was an honor to witness and participate in the development and growth of China’s heavy rock music. The band forged an indissoluble bond with heavy rock music.
In 1998, the newborn Cut At Waist were: vocalist – Yang Fan (vocalist of Deathpond); guitarists – Sun Bin and Wang Chao; drummer – Fu Bin (drummer of Cankered Corpse). The band took the first step towards their rock dream with fearless courage and infinite longings for rock music.
It took more than 3 years of lineup changes and expansions to finally settle on the following: vocalist Zhang Ye; guitars Sun Bin and Wang Chao; bass – Ding Yong; drums – Feng He.
After the band went on hold in 2006, everyone started their own new life. Guitarist Wang Chao’s tattoo studio kept the name of the band until today, and it may be his hope that the band’s dream will continue.
The sudden COVID-19 pandemic has also brought a great deal of change into many people’s lives. After lineup changes at the time, the band has since become active again. The members are: vocals and guitar – Wang Chao; bass – Kang Li; Drums – Liu Gang.
Since 1998, Cut At Waist has experienced SARS and COVID-19. Heavy music’s boom, impact and evolution were also witnessed by numerous lineup changes. From enthusiastic fans in the crowd to musicians on the stage… Heavy music didn’t just bring recognition and fond memory to the band, but it also opened a door. Pureness and why the band started have become the most sought-after belief for Cut At Waist…
Which bands influenced Cut At Waist, could the members recommend some bands to the readers based on their preferences？
Old school brutal death metal bands such as Suffocation, Devourment, Disgorge mex, also Slipknot and Pantera.
Why did the band choose to collaborate with Mort Production, and what iconic festivals did the band perform at since the collaboration?
First of all, Mort is the first label that has collaborated with the band in 2003 since its formation. It‘s also the top metal label in China. Secondly, it is very important and special to start again and reach out to Mort who has witnessed the development and changes of Cut At Waist. Last but not least, it‘s because of why we started, because of the search for like-minded partners and the mutual love for music.
The tours of China Runs Blood and Resurrection of The Gods.
Considering the time gaps between Cut At Waist’s works, are there any specific differences between music from different time periods? Which aspects of the music changed and were influenced by the switch in the lineup?
With the early works, the band presented a new interpretation of itself. Besides growling and yelling, the burst of energy from live performance and the audience is the greatest and most inspiring life source for heavy rock musicians. Just like blood transfusion, also like an addiction. Followed by the recording and release of our single, Cut At Waist was known by more heavy rock fans, which helped us overcome the exhaustion, poverty, prejudice and misunderstanding. The recognition is worth more than anything for the band.
In the eight years between 1998 and 2005, the band matured day by day. It has also made small achievements and gained resonance with fans through hard work. These are the most precious memories of the band.
After 2005, the social changes were simply earth-shaking. At this time, we met several new like-minded friends. The new members of the band brought in foreign elements and have a more mature understanding and love for music. These led the band to new possibilities and the style of Cut At Waist’s music has also changed – Mostly Heavy Metal, incorporated with elements from Groove Metal and Thrash metal.
The arrival of the pandemic from 2020 to 2021 has also brought tremendous changes to the lives of many people. As musicians today, we do not need to struggle between ideals and reality as we did when we were young. They can face the rock music they love from a purer perspective. As a result of the band’s regrouping, the music style has matured…
Are there any special settings for the creative background of these works? Can we get more information from behind these works?
Death is life. I am in awe of death, as it is the respect for life.
Could you briefly introduce this upcoming release, and which of your works are included?
‘Slaughter’, ‘Internal Hemorrhage’, ‘Cracked Head‘, ‘Pungent Stench’, ‘Beast Transmigrate’
Last but not least, anything else you’d like to share with the fans?
Since 1998, Cut At Waist has experienced SARS and COVID-19. Heavy music’s boom, impact and evolution were also witnessed by numerous lineup changes. From enthusiastic fans in the crowd to musicians on the stage… Heavy music didn’t just bring recognition and fond memory to the band, but it also opened a door. Pureness and why the band started have become the most sought-after belief for Cut At Waist…
Maybe Cut At Waist became more than just a heavy band. It represents northwestern Chinese people’s love and understanding for heavy music, and a spirit that transcends time, beyond a specific person. In contrast to the extremity of heavy music, it brought more acceptance open minds. Cut At Waist is always on the road.
The Genesis of Chinese Metal Series
Cut At Waist – Fractured Cranium
Limited to 200 copies
[Band name] Cut At Waist
[Release Name] Fractured Cranium
[Catalog ID] MORT 186
[Format] CD
[Genre] Brutal Death Metal
[Type] EP
[Release Date] August 10th, 2021
[Summary] In order to commemorate the 22-year history of the Cut At Waist since its formation in 1999 and its important influence in the development of extreme metal music in China, Cut At Waist summarizes their past works by assembling and releasing early singles and precious live recordings. For the new release of Cut At Waist, history is not only a memory but also a driving force to move forward. The roar of pure death metal from Cut At Waist captures the unforgettable sound of that era. What we feel from it is not only the remembrance of that era but also the treasured memory of touching that primal force once again.