f Throat singing as extreme Other: An exploration of Mongolian and Central Asian style in extreme metal

Throat singing is a form of singing practised in a number of cultures, but it is not part of the premodern folk cultures of Western Europe that shaped contemporary Western popular culture. In contemporary Western music, throat singing from Central Asia is used or sampled in global fusion and dance music as an example of the mystical, timeless orient. In world music, another Western form of music, artists from China, Mongolia and Tuva who incorporate throat singing and roots music forms have become popular acts at festivals and the touring circuit. Throat singing has also been used by extreme metal bands from Asia to signify their authenticity and their connection to this traditional culture. In this article, I explore how throat singing is used by performers and consumers to construct belonging, authenticity, identity and extremity. I focus in particular on how throat singing and traditional cultural tropes are used by the Chinese folk metal band Tengger Cavalry, and Darkestrah, a black metal band from Kyrgyzstan.