SILENT ELEGY MISTY MOUNTAIN bandlogos

Interview by: Henk van Nieuwenhoven

SILENT ELEGY band for interviews

Since the Chinese government is blocking a litany of websites and social media with their Great Firewall Of China, it is hard to communicate with people who live there. So, Li Xiaoyu, please introduce yourself.
“Hello everyone, I’m a singer from China. My name is Li Xiaoyu and Li is my family name, so you can call me Xiaoyu. I am the vocalist in two bands, SILENT ELEGY and MISTY MOUNTAIN. I’m glad and happy that I can do this interview. Unfortunately, my English is not so good. So I wish I could express more clearly what I want to express, hahaha….”

SILENT ELEGY
We spoke about SILENT ELEGY, the symphonic metal band that was started in Beijing in 2013. They released only one album, “Gone With The Wind”, in 2016. What can you tell us about this album?
“That was the first album of SILENT ELEGY, and it was also the first album I ever recorded. It’s also the producer’s first. It’s a first attempt for all of us. I saw many friends liked it when it was released. We were so happy and glad. Thanks to everyone.”While listening to “Gone With The Wind”, it occurs to me that everything sounds very professional. But the extra cherry on top is you with your unbelievable mezzo-soprano vocals. Where did you learn to sing like that?
“Thanks for your compliment. But I am a soprano, hahaha… Some people think I’m a mezzo-soprano, maybe because I was taught so for two years and that teacher identified me as a mezzo-soprano. But then I got a really good teacher. She thought of me more as a dramatic soprano. So, as I said, I learned it from this teacher, and then I was recommended to a college with her help, and studied again.”


“My parents gave this name to me like a gift. I like it. Just, the pronunciation of Li Xiaoyu is a bit difficult for some friends who come from countries outside China.”

– LI XIAOYU –


There’s also talk of another 3-track EP by SILENT ELEGY named “Advent Of Goddess” that was allegedly released in January 2018. Was this an official release or did it never get off the ground?
“In fact, “Advent Of Goddess” is just a single. We planned to include it on the second album, but that was not finished yet. On some Chinese music websites this song is included as an EP named “这可能是第二张专辑” (“This May Be The Second Album”). It was just a made-up name, because I planned to get a new name when the second album would be released. But as you know, it hasn’t appeared yet. Chinese fans have a habit to ask me everytime they meet me: “did you finish the second album?” There are even groups on the Internet pushing us.”SILENT ELEGY live for interviewsYou said that SILENT ELEGY will play at a big metal festival in China this October. Can you tell us something more about that?
“Yes, we will join The Grand Canal · Eastsea Heavy Metal Festival on 10-20 October. As far as I know, half of the bands come from different countries, for example Caliban and Sable Hills. And there are some Chinese bands too, Horror Of Pestilence, Ephemerality, and so on. I can’t be clear yet, because the line-up was not completely published. I will post it on the SILENT ELEGY Facebook page when it is known.”

Will there be new releases out by SILENT ELEGY in the near future?
“We will release a single later on this year or early next year.”

Ask any random visitor at a metal festival to name three female fronted metal bands for $1,000 (or euros) and chances are that you get to keep your money. Here is where lady luck helped me getting started, as I came across the Facebook page of Chinese symphonic metal band SILENT ELEGY. Since they hadn’t released anything since 2016, I asked if they were still active. Not long after that, I got my answer from singer Li Xiaoyu. She told me that the band still exists and that she is also the singer of the Chinese neo-classical melodic metal band 岚之山, also known as MISTY MOUNTAIN. We talked for a while and soon an agreement for a double interview was made.

 

SILENT ELEGY MISTY MOUNTAIN text for interviews


MISTY MOUNTAIN
is the more active band of the two, according to Xiaoyu. They released one album, The World Needs Heroes, in October 2023. The official Chinese name of the band is 岚之山, but in this interview we will use the name MISTY MOUNTAIN.
MISTY MOUNTAUIN band for interviews

MISTY MOUNTAIN
In MISTY MOUNTAIN you are known as Gabrielle Li. Why do you use a different name?
“Nonono, you make a mistake. No matter where I am and no matter what I do, my name is Li Xiaoyu forever. My parents gave this name to me like a gift. I like it. Just, the pronunciation of Li Xiaoyu is a bit difficult for some friends who come from countries outside China. So, I gave myself an English name. Gabrielle, or Gaby. Both are okay. Gaby seems a little easier. But, I will be very happy when you call me Xiaoyu.”

What is the biggest difference for you as a singer between SILENT ELEGY and MISTY MOUNTAIN?
“I don’t think there is any difference as a singer. What I need to do is to sing each piece well, adjust different singing styles according to different pieces and inject different feelings at the same time.”MISTY MOUNTAUIN album for interviewsOn “The World Needs Heroes” you share the vocals with Argentine singer Cas. Where did you get him from and what made you decide to use his voice on the album?
“That’s really a very good question!! Do you know a power metal band named Barque Of Dante? They found Cas!! Cas came to China to tour with Barque Of Dante. He is a very wonderful singer. I joined MISTY MOUNTAIN after Cas recorded two songs, because the producer (and our guitarist Zi Lei) was in a hurry to release the album. Since there was no vocalist in MISTY MOUNTAIN, he asked Cas to help with the recordings. Then one day, our bassist (Yi Yun) asked me if I wanted to record two songs when SILENT ELEGY just finished their show. By the way, we three are friends for a long time. Zi Lei asked me if I’d be interested in starting a band together. Thus, MISTY MOUNTAIN was born. The result was some songs were recorded by Cas and the others were recorded by me. But when we perform live, I sing all of them by myself, with some growls from the bassist. If some of you are interested, check out our YouTube page.”MISTY MOUNTAUIN live

DOUBLE TOUR
SILENT ELEGY and MISTY MOUNTAIN are going on tour together in China next year, where you will be working double shifts singing in both bands. Isn’t that putting too much stress on your airways and lungs?
“Yes, we have planned that. But it’s just a plan for now. Of course, it will test me, but I believe I can do it.”

But before that, MISTY MOUNTAIN are doing three concerts in China as support-act for Italian symphonic power metal band Rhapsody Of Fire, on October 4, 5 and 6. You must be extremely proud to have the opportunity to be on stage with them.
“Yep! It’s a very good opportunity to learn and communicate when we play with these pioneers. Early September, we played with Haggard for four concerts in China. We were equally honored then.”

Last question already. Do you know 小雨 (Mysterain) from Guangzhou?
“Of course I know them, we are friends! They are more Chinese traditional folk metal. MISTY MOUNTAIN is neo-classical melodic metal, but many people think we are power metal. They say we have the power to heal the heart. I’m glad to hear that!!”