Galneryus
Encyclopedia
Galneryus is a power
Power metal
Power metal is a style of heavy metal combining characteristics of traditional metal with speed metal, often within symphonic context. The term refers to two different but related styles: the first pioneered and largely practiced in North America with a harder sound similar to speed metal, and a...

/neo-classical metal
Neo-classical metal
Neo-classical metal is a subgenre of heavy metal music that is heavily influenced by classical music. It refers to a very technical performanceExact quote from the french text: "L'arrivée du néoclassique remet au goût du jour la virtuosité et le travail de l'instrument", « Les secrets du metal-...

 band from Osaka
Osaka
is a city in the Kansai region of Japan's main island of Honshu, a designated city under the Local Autonomy Law, the capital city of Osaka Prefecture and also the biggest part of Keihanshin area, which is represented by three major cities of Japan, Kyoto, Osaka and Kobe...

, Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...

 that formed in 2001.

2001–2002: Formation and indie days

Galneryus was formed in 2001 by guitarist Syu
Syu
is a Japanese musician, best known as leader and guitarist of metal band Galneryus. But also performs guitar and lead vocals in Spinalcord , and was formerly a member of Animetal. On September 29, 2010 he released a cover album named Crying Stars -Stand Proud!-, covering songs from Scorpions,...

 (formerly from Valkyr, Animetal
Animetal
was a Japanese novelty heavy metal band who specialized in metal covers of theme songs from classic and modern Japanese anime and tokusatsu television series....

, Aushvitz, and Masaki Project) along with vocalist Masahiro "Yama-B" Yamaguchi (frontman of AxBites and solo artist of Rekion, River End and Gunbridge). Both veterans of the Japanese metal scene, they formed Galneryus with the intention to "express both of their musical tastes/ideas" and so they started looking for additional members to complete the band. They recruited A on keyboards (who had previously played with Syu in Valkyr), Shôgo Himuro on bass, and Toshihiro "Tossan" Yui (formerly of Cemetery, Honey Quest) on drums.

In October 2001, the band released a 2-track demo
Demo (music)
A demo version or demo of a song is one recorded for reference rather than for release. A demo is a way for a musician to approximate their ideas on tape or disc, and provide an example of those ideas to record labels, producers or other artists...

 titled "United Flag". The demo was self-produced and released independently. This EP
Extended play
An EP is a musical recording which contains more music than a single, but is too short to qualify as a full album or LP. The term EP originally referred only to specific types of vinyl records other than 78 rpm standard play records and LP records, but it is now applied to mid-length Compact...

 started gaining the attention of both fans and independent record labels as well.

After playing with other metal bands like Fairy Mirror, Mephistopheles, Galactica Phantom, Mastermind
Mastermind (Japanese band)
Mastermind is a power metal band from Japan. Having formed in 1995, the band has released four demos and four studio albums. There are five members of the band, all of whom are of Japanese descent.-History:...

, and Concerto Moon
Concerto Moon
is a Japanese neo-classical/power metal band led by guitarist Norifumi Shima.The band's first two albums were reissued by InsideOut Music in 2003.-Members:* Norifumi Shima – guitar * Masayuki Osada – drums...

, Galneryus went back to the studio to record a second EP titled Rebel Flag which was released through the independent label Iron Shock in August 2002. The EP again used support musicians to fill the band slots, with Shôgo Himuro again on bass, Toshihiro Yui again on drums, and Yoshinori Kataoka on keyboards (replacing A).

After this EP, the band started receiving several record deals and started touring more. In 2003, they were invited to play the "Melodic Metal Festival" in Japan which featured Swedish
Sweden
Sweden , officially the Kingdom of Sweden , is a Nordic country on the Scandinavian Peninsula in Northern Europe. Sweden borders with Norway and Finland and is connected to Denmark by a bridge-tunnel across the Öresund....

 power metal band Dragonland
Dragonland
Dragonland is a power metal musical group from Sweden. The group is most notable for basing their two first albums upon the self-produced The Dragonland Chronicles fantasy saga and for the original symphonic/electronic parts by Elias Holmlid...

, as well as Australia's Dungeon
Dungeon (band)
Dungeon was a melodic power metal/thrash metal band based in Sydney, Australia, considered by some sources as one of Australia's leading metal bands...

. As a result, Dragonland
Dragonland
Dragonland is a power metal musical group from Sweden. The group is most notable for basing their two first albums upon the self-produced The Dragonland Chronicles fantasy saga and for the original symphonic/electronic parts by Elias Holmlid...

 invited Galneryus to play with them the next time they toured Japan.

Galneryus was also invited to perform on two metal compilation cover albums with other bands such as Masaki Project, Saber Tiger
Saber Tiger (band)
Saber Tiger is a heavy metal band formed in Sapporo, Japan. It was founded in 1981 by guitarist Akihito Kinoshita, who is responsible for producing, engineering and composing most of the band's work. Saber Tiger has released nine studio albums, four compilation albums, a live album, two EPs and...

, and Mephistopheles. Galneryus performed the song "Black Diamond" (originally from Finnish
Finland
Finland , officially the Republic of Finland, is a Nordic country situated in the Fennoscandian region of Northern Europe. It is bordered by Sweden in the west, Norway in the north and Russia in the east, while Estonia lies to its south across the Gulf of Finland.Around 5.4 million people reside...

 power metal band Stratovarius
Stratovarius
Stratovarius are a Finnish power metal band that formed in 1984. Since their formation they have released 13 studio albums and one live album. Along with Helloween, Blind Guardian, Rhapsody of Fire and Gamma Ray, Stratovarius are considered one of the leading groups of the power metal and symphonic...

) on the compilation album Stand Proud! III and performed the song "Soldier of Fortune" (from Japanese heavy metal band Loudness
Loudness (band)
is a Japan-based heavy metal band formed in 1981 by guitarist Akira Takasaki and drummer Munetaka Higuchi. They were the first Japanese heavy metal act signed to a major label in the United States, releasing twenty-three studio albums...

) on the compilation album Japanese Heavy Metal Tribute Tamashii II. For these songs, the band used supporting musicians Toshihiro Yui on drums, Yusuke on bass, and Yuhki on keyboards. Both compilation albums were released simultaneously in December 2002 on the same day through Iron Shock and distributed through the record label VAP.

2003–2007: Gone major and formal members

VAP itself signed Galneryus and the band set to work on writing and recording their full-length debut album The Flag of Punishment which featured all 5 EP songs re-written and re-recorded and also cover art by famed Final Fantasy
Final Fantasy
is a media franchise created by Hironobu Sakaguchi, and is developed and owned by Square Enix . The franchise centers on a series of fantasy and science-fantasy role-playing video games , but includes motion pictures, anime, printed media, and other merchandise...

artist Yoshitaka Amano
Yoshitaka Amano
is a Japanese artist. He began his career as an animator and has become known for his illustrations for the anime Vampire Hunter D and for his character designs, image illustrations and title logo designs for the Final Fantasy video game series developed by Square Enix . His influences include...

. At this time Galneryus ceased using temporary members and permanently recruited Ryosuke "Tsui" Matsui (formerly of AxBites) on bass, Yuhki (formerly of Ark Storm and Marge Litch) on keyboards and Junichi Satoh (formerly of Concerto Moon
Concerto Moon
is a Japanese neo-classical/power metal band led by guitarist Norifumi Shima.The band's first two albums were reissued by InsideOut Music in 2003.-Members:* Norifumi Shima – guitar * Masayuki Osada – drums...

) on drums. The album was finally released in October 2003. In March 2005, Galneryus released their second album Advance to the Fall
Advance to the Fall
-Credits:*Syu – Lead/rhythm guitars/backing vocals*Yama-B – Vocals*Tsui – Bass/backing vocals*Yuhki – Keyboards/backing vocals*Junichi Satoh – Drums-External links:*...

, and later released their third full-length album Beyond the End of Despair...
Beyond the End of Despair...
Beyond the End of Despair... is the third full length album by Japanese power metal band Galneryus. It was released on 12 July 2006.-Track listing:-Credits:*Syu - Lead/rhythm guitars/backing vocals*Yama-B - Vocals*Tsui - Bass/backing vocals...

in July 2006.

After the "Live for Rebirth" tour, Tsui left Galneryus and Yu-To (later, Leda of Deluhi
Deluhi
Deluhi was a Japanese visual kei metal band, formed in 2008 when guitarist Leda recruited Juri as vocalist. Leda was previously bassist for the band Galneryus, going by the name Yu-To....

) was recruited to fill in for bass. The band shortly after released their fourth album One for All - All for One
One for All - All for One
-Credits:* Syu: Guitar, throat* Yama-B: Vocal* Yu-To: Bass* Junichi: Drums* Yukhi: Keyboards, Hammond organ-External links:*...

on August 22, 2007. On October 27, they released their first cover album Voices from the Past. Galneryus then debuted on iTunes Music Store, making their material available worldwide.

2008–2010: New lineup and Resurrection

In February 2008, both sides of their double A-side single, "Alsatia/Cause Disarray", were used as the opening and ending themes for the six-episode anime
Anime
is the Japanese abbreviated pronunciation of "animation". The definition sometimes changes depending on the context. In English-speaking countries, the term most commonly refers to Japanese animated cartoons....

 series Rin ~Daughters of Mnemosyne~
Mnemosyne (anime)
is a six-episode Japanese anime television series produced by Xebec and Genco, featuring grotesque and erotic visuals. The anime was produced to commemorate the tenth anniversary of the AT-X network, which it originally aired on. Funimation Entertainment licensed the series in North America...

.

On October 10, 2008, it was announced that vocalist Yama-B and bassist Yu-To were leaving the band at the end of the Back to the Flag tour. The decision was made during the recording/releasing of their fifth full album, Reincarnation
Reincarnation (Galneryus album)
-Credits:*Syu: Guitar, backing vocals*Yama-B: Vocals*Yu-To: Bass*Junichi: Drums*Yuhki: Keyboards, Hammond organ-External links:*...

. According to Yama-B's note left to the fans on Galneryus' official site, he left due to the band's growth and change. In the note, Yama-B stated that due to the differences in the style of their music, he was leaving. He and the rest of Galneryus and Mr. Hisatake are all okay with this and wish each other well as they go their separate ways. On October 23, they released their second cover album Voices from the Past II, and on March 25, 2009, Galneryus released two "best of" albums.

Their performance at "Loud Park Festival 2009" was the first to feature new vocalist Masatoshi "Sho" Ono and bassist Taka.

Galneryus' song "A Far-Off Distance" was used as the ending theme of the Rainbow: Nisha Rokubō no Shichinin
Rainbow: Nisha Rokubō no Shichinin
, is a Japanese manga series written by George Abe and illustrated by Masasumi Kakizaki. It began serialization in 2003 in Shogakukan Publishing's Weekly Young Sunday manga magazine but was moved to Big Comic Spirits when the magazine stopped publication. It was later published in twenty two bound...

anime, which began airing on April 10. On April 21, they released the digital
Music download
A music download is the transferral of music from an Internet-facing computer or website to a user's local computer. This term encompasses both legal downloads and downloads of copyright material without permission or payment...

 EP
Extended play
An EP is a musical recording which contains more music than a single, but is too short to qualify as a full album or LP. The term EP originally referred only to specific types of vinyl records other than 78 rpm standard play records and LP records, but it is now applied to mid-length Compact...

 Beginning of the Resurrection, and on June 23 released their sixth full-length album, Resurrection
Resurrection (Galneryus album)
-Credits:*Syu - Lead/rhythm guitars/backing vocals*Masatoshi "Sho" Ono - Vocals*Taka - Bass*Yuhki - Keyboards*Junichi Satoh - Drums-External links:*...

. On August 20, they released their third cover album Voices from the Past III.

In 2011, their song "Destiny" was used in the music video game
Music video game
A music video game, also commonly known as a music game, is a video game where the gameplay is meaningfully and often almost entirely oriented around the player's interactions with a musical score or individual songs...

s GuitarFreaks XG2: Groove on Live and DrumMania XG2: Groove on Live
DrumMania XG
is a music video game series produced by Konami Digital Entertainment, Inc., where colored notes travel down the screen which correspond with color coded parts of an electronic drum set...

. Also, their song "New Legend" will be used in GuitarFreaks XG3 and DrumMania XG3.

2011: Phoenix Rising

They announced on their website that they will release a digital EP named Future Never Dies on September 7, and a new album titled Phoenix Rising on October 5.

Current members

vocals
Singing
Singing is the act of producing musical sounds with the voice, and augments regular speech by the use of both tonality and rhythm. One who sings is called a singer or vocalist. Singers perform music known as songs that can be sung either with or without accompaniment by musical instruments...

 (2009–present)
  • Syu
    Syu
    is a Japanese musician, best known as leader and guitarist of metal band Galneryus. But also performs guitar and lead vocals in Spinalcord , and was formerly a member of Animetal. On September 29, 2010 he released a cover album named Crying Stars -Stand Proud!-, covering songs from Scorpions,...

     – guitar
    Guitar
    The guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with...

    , backing vocals (2001–present)
  • Taka – bass
    Bass guitar
    The bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....

     (2009–present) – drums
    Drum kit
    A drum kit is a collection of drums, cymbals and often other percussion instruments, such as cowbells, wood blocks, triangles, chimes, or tambourines, arranged for convenient playing by a single person ....

     (2003–present)
  • Yuhki – keyboards, Hammond organ
    Hammond organ
    The Hammond organ is an electric organ invented by Laurens Hammond in 1934 and manufactured by the Hammond Organ Company. While the Hammond organ was originally sold to churches as a lower-cost alternative to the wind-driven pipe organ, in the 1960s and 1970s it became a standard keyboard...

    , keytar
    Keytar
    A keytar is a relatively lightweight keyboard that is supported by a strap around the neck and shoulders, similar to the way a guitar is supported by a strap. Keytars allow players a greater range of movement compared to conventional keyboards, which are placed on stands...

    , backing vocals (2003–present, support in 2002)

Former members

– vocals (2001–2008)
  • Yu-To
    Deluhi
    Deluhi was a Japanese visual kei metal band, formed in 2008 when guitarist Leda recruited Juri as vocalist. Leda was previously bassist for the band Galneryus, going by the name Yu-To....

     – bass, backing vocals (2006–2008; support guitar in 2011 as Leda) – bass, backing vocals (2003–2006)

Support members

  • Yusuke – bass (2002–2003)
  • Toshihiro "Tossan" Yui – drums (2001–2002)
  • Yoshinori Kataoka – keyboards (2002)
  • Shôgo Himuro – bass (2001–2002)
  • A – keyboards (2001–2002)

Albums

  • The Flag of Punishment (October 22, 2003) Oricon Album Weekly Chart Peak Position: #161
  • Advance to the Fall
    Advance to the Fall
    -Credits:*Syu – Lead/rhythm guitars/backing vocals*Yama-B – Vocals*Tsui – Bass/backing vocals*Yuhki – Keyboards/backing vocals*Junichi Satoh – Drums-External links:*...

    (March 23, 2005) #86
  • Beyond the End of Despair...
    Beyond the End of Despair...
    Beyond the End of Despair... is the third full length album by Japanese power metal band Galneryus. It was released on 12 July 2006.-Track listing:-Credits:*Syu - Lead/rhythm guitars/backing vocals*Yama-B - Vocals*Tsui - Bass/backing vocals...

    (July 12, 2006) #57
  • One for All - All for One (August 22, 2007) #53
  • Reincarnation
    Reincarnation (Galneryus album)
    -Credits:*Syu: Guitar, backing vocals*Yama-B: Vocals*Yu-To: Bass*Junichi: Drums*Yuhki: Keyboards, Hammond organ-External links:*...

    (September 10, 2008) #55
  • Best of the Braving Days (March 25, 2009, compilation album) #154
  • Best of the Awakening Days (March 25, 2009, compilation album) #157
  • Resurrection
    Resurrection (Galneryus album)
    -Credits:*Syu - Lead/rhythm guitars/backing vocals*Masatoshi "Sho" Ono - Vocals*Taka - Bass*Yuhki - Keyboards*Junichi Satoh - Drums-External links:*...

    (June 23, 2010) #35
  • Phoenix Rising
    Phoenix Rising (Galneryus album)
    -Personnel:*Syu - Guitar, Throat*Masatoshi "Sho" Ono - Vocals*Taka - Bass*Junichi - Drums*Yuhki - Keyboards, Hammond Organ-Production:*Produced by Yorimisa Hisatake.*A&R Directed by Kentaro Tanaka for VAP.*Engineered by Atsushi Yamaguchi for MIT Studio....

    (October 5, 2011) #23

Singles/EPs

  • United Flag (October 21, 2001, EP)
  • "Rebel Flag" (August 23, 2002)
  • "Everlasting" (June 27, 2007) Oricon Single Weekly Chart Peak Position: #68
  • "Alsatia/Cause Disarray" (March 19, 2008) #60
  • Shining Moments (July 30, 2008, digital EP)
  • Beginning of the Resurrection (April 21, 2010, digital EP)
  • Future Never Dies (September 7, 2011, digital EP)
  • "Kizuna" (January 25, 2012)

Cover albums

  • Voices from the Past (October 8, 2007)
  • Voices from the Past II (October 23, 2008)
  • Voices from the Past III (August 20, 2010)

Compilation contributions

  • "Black Diamond" (originally by Stratovarius
    Stratovarius
    Stratovarius are a Finnish power metal band that formed in 1984. Since their formation they have released 13 studio albums and one live album. Along with Helloween, Blind Guardian, Rhapsody of Fire and Gamma Ray, Stratovarius are considered one of the leading groups of the power metal and symphonic...

    ) – Stand Proud! III (December 11, 2002)
  • "Soldier Of Fortune" (originally by Loudness
    Loudness (band)
    is a Japan-based heavy metal band formed in 1981 by guitarist Akira Takasaki and drummer Munetaka Higuchi. They were the first Japanese heavy metal act signed to a major label in the United States, releasing twenty-three studio albums...

    ) – Japanese Heavy Metal Tribute Tamashii II (December 11, 2002)
  • "Struggle For The Freedom Flag" – Hard Rock Summit in Osaka (June 16, 2004)
  • "Serenade (D.N.mix)" – The Songs For Death Note The Movie ~The Last Name Tribute~ (December 20, 2006)
  • "A Far-Off Distance (TV Size)" – Rainbow: Nisha Rokubō no Shichinin Opening/Ending theme digital EP
    Rainbow: Nisha Rokubō no Shichinin
    , is a Japanese manga series written by George Abe and illustrated by Masasumi Kakizaki. It began serialization in 2003 in Shogakukan Publishing's Weekly Young Sunday manga magazine but was moved to Big Comic Spirits when the magazine stopped publication. It was later published in twenty two bound...

    (June 16, 2010)
  • "Holy Blood: Tatakai no Kettô" (originally by Seikima-II
    SEIKIMA-II
    is a Japanese heavy metal band formed by guitarist Damian Hamada in 1982.According to the mythology created by the band, Seikima-II is a group of "Akuma" , from the futuristic hyper-evolved dimension "Makai", that are preaching a religion, in order to propagate Satan through the use of heavy metal...

    ) – Tribute to Seikima-II: Akuma to no Keiyakusho (September 15, 2010)
  • "Against the Wind" (originally by Stratovarius) – Crying Stars -Stand Proud!- (September 29, 2010)
  • "The Spirit Carries On" (originally by Dream Theater
    Dream Theater
    Dream Theater is an American progressive metal band formed in 1985 under the name Majesty by John Petrucci, John Myung, and Mike Portnoy while they attended Berklee College of Music in Massachusetts. They subsequently dropped out of their studies to further concentrate on the band that would...

    ) – Crying Stars -Stand Proud!- (September 29, 2010)
  • "Tonight I'm Falling" (originally by TNT
    TNT (band)
    TNT is a Norwegian hard rock/glam metal band from Trondheim, formed in 1982. The band has released twelve studio albums, three EPs and two live albums while going through numerous line-up changes since its formation...

    ) – The Voice -Stand Proud!- (October 5, 2011)
  • "Angel Don't Cry" (originally by Toto
    Toto (band)
    Toto is an American rock band formed in Los Angeles in 1977. The group currently consists of Joseph Williams , David Paich , Steve Porcaro , Steve Lukather , Mike Porcaro , and Simon Phillips . Toto is known for a musical style that combines elements of pop, rock, soul, funk, progressive rock, hard...

    ) – The Voice -Stand Proud!- (October 5, 2011)

DVDs

  • Live for Rebirth (November 22, 2006)
  • Live for All - Live for One (March 5, 2008)
  • Live in the Moment of the Resurrection (December 8, 2010)

Music Videos

  • "Struggle for the Freedom Flag" (The Flag of Punishment)
  • "Silent Revelation" (Advance to the Fall)
  • "My Last Farewell" (Beyond the End of Despair...)
  • "Everlasting" ("Everlasting")
  • "New Legend" (One for All - All for One)
  • "Alsatia" ("Alsatia/Cause Disarray")
  • "Shining Moments" (Reincarnation)
  • "You're The Only 2010" (Beginning of the Resurrection)
  • "Destiny" (Resurrection)
  • "Future Never Dies" (Phoenix Rising)

External links

The source of this article is wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.  The text of this article is licensed under the GFDL.
 
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