Annual festival few days away for metal fans in China

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.