24/05/2025
To End All Suffering is a Holy Blood Metal band, with influences from Post-Black Metal and themed around Philosophy as well as Christian thought. The Way of Discipleship is written with a blend on traditional Daoist philosophy with Christianity, a major theme that recurs in Chinese revolutions from the Ming to the Republican era.
The Way of Discipleship by To End All Suffering honors the contributions made by Chinese Christians during the Ming and Qing Dynasty. This album recounts the deeds of revolution and nation building with references to the Taiping Rebellion (1851-1864) as well as the Xinhai Revolution (1911). These Chinese Christians, such as Hong Xiuquan, Liang Fa, Sun Yat-Sen and Tay Sek Tin, fought for the progress of China, liberating generations of Chinese people from the shackles of Imperialism. They have laid the foundation of modern Chinese society based on both Daoist and Christian principles, which also shaped modern Chinese thought. The liberation of the Chinese people brought many changes to Chinese society as a whole, such as scientific education, expanding businesses and modernization of military strength.
This album takes you on a philosophical journey, beginning with The True Way and Nothingness. These two songs reflect the introduction of Christianity to Ming Dynasty China, the beginning of the cultural fusion of Daoist and Christian thought. The songs are written in Post-Black Metal style, accompanying elements of traditional Black Metal as well as Chinese influences. The True Way is taken from Chapter 1 of Daodejing, whereas Nothingness is from Chapter 2. These two songs show us how Daoist and Christian philosophies greatly complement one another, leading to the influence of modern Chinese thought. Following suit, is a song dedicated to the Lord of Heavens, the Emperor of all Chinese men, the origin of the myriad creatures. Lord of Heavens is a Melodic Death Metal anthem, written to instill courage into the listeners, and describe the majesty of the Holy Emperor. In the middle of the album, is an instrumental track called War Flag, presenting to you a Chinese drum arrangement. This track serves as a transition between the Ming and Qing Dynasties, which marks the series of civil wars and revolutions that will change the destiny of Chinese people. The war drums have resounded, and the war flag is raised, now arrives the biggest revolution in human history, the Taiping Revolution. This track is written in honor of Hong Xiuquan and Liang Fa’s contributions, whose ambition is to overthrow the Imperial Qing and establish China on new principles taken from Daoist and Christian principles. The war begins in The Emperor, describing in detail the military clashes between the Taiping and Imperial forces, which led to the Taiping’s defeat. The war drums continue to resound, because, its legacy is continued in the next song, For the Kingdom. This song describes Dr Sun Yat-Sen’s Xinhai Revolution, which was inspired by the preceding Taiping Rebellion. For the Kingdom rallies modern Chinese, not to forget the intents of the revolutions, that as we progress steadily into contemporary lifestyle, we must uphold the vision for advancement and democracy. With new China, we must make sure not to fall back into an Imperialist regime, and continue to fight for freedom. The album ends with the title track, The Way of Discipleship, an atmospheric instrumental that you can loop for meditations. I hope that my listeners will meditate upon the message of the album after listening to it, and be encouraged, knowing how you too, can be a force of change and progress.
To End All Suffering is a Holy Blood Metal band, with influences from Post-Black Metal and themed around Philosophy as well as Christian thought. The Way of ...
