California's Ripped to Shreds, born from the twin flames of classic Swedish death metal and grindcore, offers a unique blend of unrelenting sonic malevolence and detailed storytelling. What sets them apart is their deep connection to Chinese history and folklore, a theme that runs through their music like a bloody thread. Founded in 2016 by multi-instrumentalist and sole constant member Andrew Lee, the San Jose-based group released their debut album, Mai Zang, in 2018. Subsequent works Luan (2020), Jubian (2022), and Sanshi, continued to showcase Lee's nimble guitar work and ...