Annual festival few days away for metal fans in China

Kou Zhengyu and his band Suffocated perform at the 330 Metal Music Festival in Beijing in 2014. [Photo provided to China Daily]

Kou Zhengyu was invited by his bar-owner friend Zhong Sheng to perform with his band, Suffocated, one spring more than a decade ago.

The Beijing-based trash metal band performed their gig on March 30, Kou's birthday, and impressed Zhong's customers at Lucky Bar. Some of Kou's other musician friends also played there that night. What started as entertainment for a few people in 2002 has developed into an annual music event since.

The following year, Kou treated his fans at the same bar to not just music but barbecue and beer as well. That was how 330 Metal Music Festival was launched. Since then it has been held at different locations in Beijing.

In its 14th year, the festival is now among China's main metal events, known for featuring exciting bands and providing free hotdogs to audiences.

This year's festival will witness 13 Chinese bands playing from afternoon through midnight on March 26. Besides veteran Chinese bands, including black metal group Spirit Trace and hard rock group Velvet Road, the festival will also serve as a platform for the country's young musicians from universities in Beijing to present their music.

"I feel proud about turning a personal party into a full-fledged event, which is enjoyed by metal fans in the country," says Kou, 37.

In 2014, held at Tango Club, another live-house venue in the city, the festival attracted more than 1,400 people, doubling the number from previous years. This year, it will be held at the same venue.