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Chthonic's Freddy Lim Running For Office, Posts Campaign Video

Photo of Chthonic

Band Photo: Chthonic (?)

Remember when Chthonic started a political party? Turns out something's actually coming of that.

"Using music to change the world" is a slogan that appears often in the history of rock, however, in Taiwan, a man is turning it into reality: Chthonic lead vocalist Freddy Lim is traveling the road of music to parliament. Oon December 26th, a Formosa Defenders outdoor concert will be held in place of a campaign rally.

Formed in 1995, the Taiwanese band Chthonic, now under the Universal Music/Spinefarm Records banner, features a blend of unique oriental melody and heavy metal music. Chthonic has released eight albums recounting stories of struggles against authoritarian repression that have touched fans around the globe. The band's lyrics have historically focused on accounts of the country's inhabitants fighting against repressive regimes in history that textbooks refused to tell in addition to their public displays of support for social movements and human rights activities, including last year's Sunflower Movement and this year's student protests against the Ministry Of Education's adjustments in high school curriculum guidelines.

Beyond Chthonic, Lim also serves as the lead vocalist of a band that he formed with former Megadeth guitarist Marty Friedman, Metal Clone X, which has released two albums in Taiwan and Japan. Lim has also organized two of the most well known music festivals -- the Formoz Festival and Megaport Festival -- with participation from the likes of Muse, Megadeth, and Moby and was behind the Say Yes To Taiwan and With Justice We Cure This Nation concerts that focused on public issues such as transitional justice.

In addition to music events, Lim has served two terms as chair of Amnesty International Taiwan, a board member of the Memorial Foundation Of 228, and has been active in human rights activities. Freddy has been honored with the President's Award by Taiwan's National Cultural Association, and founded the New Power Party, a new political party in Taiwan. In less than one year of its founding, the New Power Party has become the third largest party in Taiwan outside the two major political parties. In June, Lim announced his bid for legislature. Check out his campaign video below.

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3 Comments on "Chthonic's Freddy Lim Running For Office"

Blindgreed1's avatar

Member

1. Blindgreed1 writes:

This is actually pretty awesome.

# Dec 4, 2015 @ 1:36 PM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address
Anonymous Reader

2. Jenny Fear writes:

I love Chthonic's music, but I am even more proud of Freddy as a person. People like Freddy and Randy Blythe can not only help this world, but maybe even reduce the negative stereotyping of metalheads.

# Dec 14, 2015 @ 3:19 AM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address
Blindgreed1's avatar

Member

3. Blindgreed1 writes:

Putting Freddy and Randy in the same envelope is a HUGE disservice to Freddy. Freddy is actually running for a political office in an attempt to make change. Randy is merely flapping his yap in an attempt to pad book and album sales.

# Dec 15, 2015 @ 10:15 AM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address

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