With 'Seeking the Absolute', Nine Treasures’ first album for Metal Blade, the alt-metal line up is excited to deliver their first globally released album, 'Seeking the Absolute'. Formed by vocalist/guitarist Askhan Avagchuud in 2010 in the autonomous region of Inner Mongolia in China, Nine Treasures are a unique combination of metal and traditional Mongolian instrumentation, utilizing both conventional vocals and Mongolian throat singing. Guitars, bass, and drums collide with indigenous string instruments, including the balalaika and the morin khuur (horsehead fiddle). In short, pentatonic eastern music mixed with heavy metal. The result? A sonic kaleidoscope that follows no set template.
“On 'Seeking the Absolute', we tried to capture the things that truly excite us deep inside, those unforgettable moments when your mind swings wide open to infinite possibilities,” says Askhan. “You open a brand-new realm for yourself, unfamiliar, yet incredibly thrilling. At the same time, it’s like an enormous puzzle, and to complete it, you also need calm reflection and meticulous analysis. That’s why we look upon it as ‘Seeking the Absolute'.’”
The singer/guitarist grew up listening to the Big Four, nu metal and European bands like In Flames and Children of Bodom. Askhan was careful to make Nine Treasures’ melding of genres an organic thing. “It’s not as simple as just putting a guitar chord behind some Mongolian melodies,” he explains. “Our music is so much deeper than that. We work to ensure the two distinct facets of our sound complement one another. I’ve changed the way I play the guitar to accommodate the Mongolian elements, and vice-versa. To do this takes a lot of analysis and experimentation.”
The band takes its name from a group of objects referenced in ancient Mongolian poems, and in music, lyrics and visuals, Nine Treasures touch on the mythology and fairy tales of their homeland. But the band’s songs contain more universal references, too, explains Askhan, a practicing Buddhist. “Lyrically, ‘Seeking the Truth’ is a song about holding onto faith and seeking the ultimate truth of the universe. That’s something I’ve personally been striving for in recent years—so in many ways, this song is a message to myself. A kind of self-encouragement. But I also hope it can bring strength to others, too.”
Following Nine Treasures’ 2024 signing to Metal Blade, the label re-released the 12-song compilation album 'Awakening from Dukkha' as well as 2017’s 'Wisdom Eyes'. Nine Treasures play 100-plus festival shows and headlining gigs per year in Asia to audiences of up to 80,000. With three acclaimed albums leading up to 'Seeking the Absolute', millions of streams, and festivals including Wacken Open Air, Woodstock Poland and more, Nine Treasures are perfectly poised to capture The Americas, Europe and onward.
Achievements to date have been noted by the press worldwide, with publications including The Quietus offering rave reviews: “There are no compromises on sonic assault for the benefit of the traditionally acoustic instruments. Tracks borrow gleefully from a range of metal techniques, taking the tuneful riffs of melodic metal, the momentum of hardcore and the knack for complexity from progressive styles, using these in tangent with throat singing techniques to hammer home the vocal hooks, which are sprinkled liberally.”
Nine Treasures are looking forward to the release of 'Seeking the Absolute', eager to spread their distinctive sound and positivity worldwide. “Our new music fits with our history but also gives the audience more surprises thanks to tons of new elements that we added. Our message is simple,” Askhan concludes. “We just want everyone to be happy and enjoy themselves at our shows. We want Nine Treasures to bring some positive energy into the world – the greatest thing we can do with this is to help people.”
Limited 180g black vinyl pressing.
Tracklisting
Side A:
- Until Now
- Indecision
- Yellow-Black Storm
- Steel Falcon
- Real Dream
Side B:
- The Ultimate Evolution
- Just Like You
- Lonely Old Horse
- Seeking the Absolute
