Nine Treasures

Folk metal group Nine Treasures was formed in Inner Mongolia, China in 2010. They are known for mixing traditional Mongolian folk music with heavy metal while using traditional instruments and Mongolian throat singing. The group was founded by guitarist and vocalist Askhan Avagchuud, morin khuur (horsehead fiddle) player and backing vocalist Tsog, drummer Baisal, and balalaika player Alen. Throughout the group’s existence, only Askhan and Tsog remain Nine Treasures’ only original members. The group released their debut album, Arvan Ald Guulin Honshoor, in 2012, followed by their self-titled sophomore album a year later. The group gained international attention and began playing outside of China. In 2013, Nine Treasures won the Wacken Metal Battle in China and then placed second in the Wacken Metal Battle. Their first EP, Galloping White Horse, was issued in 2015, and they released their album Live in Beijing just days later. The group undertook successful tours in Europe and played in countries such as Poland, Germany, Austria, the Czech Republic, Denmark, the Netherlands, and Latvia. Nine Treasures released their third album, Wisdom Eyes, in 2017, but soon became dissatisfied with their recorded output. They pulled all of their releases off of digital platforms but would eventually make them available again as free downloads. In 2021, they released the album Awakening from Dukkha, which found the group re-recording some of their most popular songs.