OZZFest will get a taste of the Far East as the Taiwanese black metal band CHTHONIC joins the traveling heavy metal festival’s lineup this summer.

“It’s our pleasure to play Ozzfest as the first Asian extreme metal band,” said Chthonic frontman Freddy. “We believe that we are going to lead a wave of Asian extreme metal to the world!”

Added guitarist Jesse: “I have dreamt of standing on this stage!”

Chthonic’s presence on the tour is significant also because OZZFest marks Chthonic’s first full US tour. Chthonic’s past American performances have been limited to special appearances at metal festivals, where the group first began making a name for themselves stateside a few years back.

“It took us 10 years to be on the stage of OZZFest and it’s one of the biggest opportunities of our career,” said bassist Doris. “Based on the experience of our numerous tours in Asia, we have faith that metalheads in the US are going to be blown away by this Typhoon of Oriental Extreme Metal.”

In its 12th year, OZZFest has made the bold move to become “FreeFest,” an event entirely free for fans. Tens of thousands of fans are expected to attend.

Called “the Black Sabbath of Asia” by the Taipei Times for its impact on heavy music, Chthonic has furthered its Western reputation with the release of its latest – and fourth in all – release, Seediq Bale. Using the weepy sounds of the “er-hu”, a traditional Eastern two-string violin that dates back to the Tang Dynasty of the 618-907, Chthonic adds a unique element to its symphonic style of black metal.

Chthonic has stirred up controversy in the past with its strong Taiwanese pro-independence stance, which has been the focus of much of the band’s past material. In keeping with its culturally-inspired concepts, Seediq Bale reaches further back into Taiwanese history to the legend of the Seediq and its struggle with Japan over land and religion.

Hailing from a country with a little-known metal scene, Chthonic has gained national attention in its native land where it was awarded “Best Rock Group” at the 14th Annual Golden Melody Awards, the Eastern Asian equivalent of a Grammy. The award was presented to the band by none other than the country’s President Chen Shui-bian. “Music is more powerful, more moving than politicians,” the President said before Chthonic joined him on stage.

The group capped off that momentous year by playing the annual New Year’s Eve live, nationally broadcasted concert in front of President’s Hall and with the release of the band’s Mandarin theme for the 21st Century Fox Taiwan release of Freddy vs. Jason.

Chthonic’s previous albums, Where The Ancestors Souls Gathered, 9th Empyrean, and Relentless Recurrence, have been recorded in both Mandarin and English.

OZZFest 2007 lineup is now as follows:

Main Stage - OZZY OSBOURNE, LAMB OF GOD, LORDI and one band tba

Second Stage - HATEBREED, BEHEMOTH, MONDO GERERATOR

Second Stage (Rotating Slots) - NILE, ANKLA, CIRCUS DIABLO, THE SHOWDOWN, 3 INCHES OF BLOOD, DAATH, IN THIS MOMENT, CHTHONIC

OZZFest dates are as follow:

July

12 - White River Amphitheatre - Seattle, WA
14 - The Gorge - George, WA
17 - Sleep Train Amphitheatre - Sacramento, CA
19 - Shoreline Amphitheatre - Mountain View, CA
21 - Hyundai Pavilion - Devore, CA
24 - Cricket Pavilion - Phoenix, AZ
26 - Journal Pavilion - Albuquerque, NM
28 - Coors Amphitheatre - Denver, CO
30 - Verizon Wireless Amphitheater - Kansas City, MO

August

2 - Smirnoff Music Center - Dallas, TX
4 - Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre - San Antonio, TX
6 - Verizon Wireless Amphitheater - St. Louis, MO
8 - Germain Amphitheatre - Columbus, OH
10 - First Midwest Bank Amphitheatre - Tinley Park, IL
12 - Alpine Valley Music Theatre - East Troy, WI
14 - Verizon Wireless Music Theatre - Indianapolis, IN
16 - PNC Bank Arts Center - Holmdel, NJ
18 - New England Dodge Music Theatre - Hartford, CT
20 - Tweeter Center - Boston, MA
22 - Tweeter Center - Philadelphia, PA
24 - Post Gazette Pavilion - Pittsburgh, PA
26 - DTE Energy Music Theatre - Detroit, MI
28 - Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre - Charlotte, NC
30 - Sound Advice Amphitheatre - West Palm Beach, FL