Syu
Encyclopedia
is a Japanese musician, best known as leader and guitarist of metal band Galneryus
Galneryus
Galneryus is a power/neo-classical metal band from Osaka, Japan that formed in 2001.- 2001–2002: Formation and indie days :Galneryus was formed in 2001 by guitarist Syu along with vocalist Masahiro "Yama-B" Yamaguchi...

. But also performs guitar and lead vocals in Spinalcord (formerly known as Aushvitz), and was formerly a member of 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....

. On September 29, 2010 he released a cover album named Crying Stars -Stand Proud!-, covering songs from Scorpions
Scorpions (band)
Scorpions are a heavy metal/hard rock band from Hannover, Germany, formed in 1965 by guitarist Rudolf Schenker, who is the band's only constant member. They are known for their 1980s rock anthem "Rock You Like a Hurricane" and many singles, such as "No One Like You", "Send Me an Angel", "Still...

, 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...

, Yngwie Malmsteen, Skid Row, M.S.G., Racer X
Racer X
Racer X is an American heavy metal band formed in 1985 in Los Angeles, California. The group has gone through numerous lineup changes, including a hiatus, with founders guitarist Paul Gilbert and bassist Juan Alderete being the sole constant members.- 1980s :...

 and more. It features some of his fellow band mates from Galneryus
Galneryus
Galneryus is a power/neo-classical metal band from Osaka, Japan that formed in 2001.- 2001–2002: Formation and indie days :Galneryus was formed in 2001 by guitarist Syu along with vocalist Masahiro "Yama-B" Yamaguchi...

 and Spinalcord, as well as other well known musicians like Eizo Sakamoto
Eizo Sakamoto
is a Japanese heavy metal musician who was born in Nishinomiya, Hyōgo Prefecture. He is most famous for being the lead vocalist of 1980s band Anthem. In the 1990s he started up the band Animetal which performed heavy metal covers of anime and tokusatsu opening and closing themes. He also was...

 (Anthem
Anthem (band)
is a Japanese heavy metal band that was formed during the early 1980s in Tokyo. They are among the handful of heavy metal bands founded in Japan during that time and are considered to be one of the most successful and influential, alongside Loudness and Earthshaker.-Early years :Anthem was founded...

), whom Syu was in 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....

 with.

Early life

Syu, born in Kansai
Kansai
The or the lies in the southern-central region of Japan's main island Honshū. The region includes the prefectures of Mie, Nara, Wakayama, Kyoto, Osaka, Hyōgo, and Shiga. Depending on who makes the distinction, Fukui, Tokushima and even Tottori Prefecture are also included...

, Japan, first began playing violin at the age of 6 years, and he also played piano. He continued playing violin until he was 12–13 years old. While in the fourth grade of elementary school, Syu discovered a passion for drums, which was fuelled by listening to X Japan
X Japan
is a Japanese heavy metal band founded in 1982 by Yoshiki and Toshi. Originally named X , the group achieved their breakthrough success in 1989 with the release of their second album Blue Blood...

. He says he found it easy to change from violin to guitar because they have similarly styled movements and finger patterns. He continued playing the drums for the band Cross-Large, but enjoyed the guitar more, as it was easier and he could better express himself through guitar than through drums. He soon gave up drums altogether, when he couldn't find good band members to play with.

Valkyr

Syu joined visual kei
Visual Kei
is a movement among Japanese musicians, that is characterized by the use of make-up, elaborate hair styles and flamboyant costumes, often, but not always, coupled with androgynous aesthetics. Some sources state that visual kei refers to a music genre, or to a sub-genre of Japanese rock, with its...

 band Valkyr in August 1998, nearly a year later they released their first demo tape, titled "Love of Insanity". In August 2000, they released a "making of" VHS. In 2001 they finally released their first single, "Batta". After releasing 5 demos, a single and a VHS, the band broke up on April 24, 2004.

Galneryus

During his time with Valkyr he also formed the band Galneryus
Galneryus
Galneryus is a power/neo-classical metal band from Osaka, Japan that formed in 2001.- 2001–2002: Formation and indie days :Galneryus was formed in 2001 by guitarist Syu along with vocalist Masahiro "Yama-B" Yamaguchi...

, which was a power metal band that he started with famous singer Yama-B. He started this band whilst he was living in Kujo, Osaka and heard him singing on the radio. Then they began working together as they were from the same area and made Galneryus. They hired support musicians A on Keyboards (who had previously played with Syu on Valkyr), Shôgo Himuro on Bass, and Toshihiro Yui (formerly of Cemetery, Honey Quest) on Drums. They went on to release a 2-track demo titled "United Flag". After playing live for a long time, they went back to record their second EP Rebel Flag with the independent label Iron Shock, with Yoshinori Kataoka on keyboards (replacing A).

In 2002, Galneryus were signed to VAP, and began work on the first full length album titled The Flag of Punishment. They released their next album, Advance to the Fall, in 2005. They then released their third album Beyond the End of Despair... in 2006. In 2007 they returned again with their fourth full-length album One For All – All For One. In 2008 they released their fifth album, Reincarnation, this would be the last album with Yama-B on vocals, as he decided to leave. He was replaced by Masatoshi "Sho" Ono and in 2010 they released their sixth full-length album, aptly titled Resurrection.

Spinalcord (formerly known as Aushvitz)

While he was still in the early days with Galneryus, Syu started another side project, with former fellow Valkyr member Kyoichi, called Aushvitz in 2002, in which he plays guitar and also does the main vocals. This style is much darker than his other projects. They released their first single, "Akarui" in September that year. They went on a very slow pace and went silent for a long time, but announced in 2006 that they were coming back as trio with Galneryus drummer Junichi. In the summer of 2008, Aushvitz was renamed Spinalcord and released their first maxi-single "The Spinalcord" on December 25, 2008. On April 4, 2009 they released their second maxi-single "Spinalcord 2". On September 23, 2009 they released their debut album Remember Me'Til Your Dying Day. With the change in the bands name also came a change in direction, which besides the old style now also incorporates a more popular style.

Animetal

In 2003, Syu joined 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....

 as their new guitarist. He recorded five full-length albums with them before they went on indefinite hiatus in 2006.

Style and influences

Syu's style of playing has been likened to that of Yngwie Malmsteen and many neo-classical guitarists. Syu himself lists some of his influences as: John Petrucci
John Petrucci
John Peter Petrucci is an American guitarist and songwriter best known as a founding member of the progressive metal band Dream Theater. Along with his former bandmate Mike Portnoy, he has produced all Dream Theater albums since their 1999 release, Metropolis Pt. 2: Scenes from a Memory...

, Ulrich Roth
Ulrich Roth
Ulrich Roth , more commonly known as Uli Jon Roth, is a Germanguitarist and one of the earliest contributors to the neo-classical metal genre. He is also the founder of Sky Academy and inventor of the Sky Guitar. He is the older brother of fellow guitarist and artist Zeno Roth.-Career:In the early...

, Paul Gilbert
Paul Gilbert
Paul Brandon Gilbert is an American guitarist. He is well known for his technical guitar work with Racer X and Mr...

 and Michael Schenker
Michael Schenker
Michael Schenker is a German rock guitarist, best known for his tenure in UFO, in addition to his solo band. He first rose to fame as a founding member of the Scorpions, then achieved fame in the mid 1970s as the lead guitar player for UFO. Since leaving UFO in 1978, he has been leading the...

.

Equipment

Syu has a signature series guitar available from ESP Guitars
ESP Guitars
, located in North Hollywood, California, is an American-based, Japanese-owned manufacturer of electric guitars and basses.- History :In 1975, Hisatake Shibuya opened a shop called Electric Sound Products in Tokyo. It provided custom replacement parts for guitars. In 1976, ESP gained a reputation...

 called the Crying Star, and is available from ESP Japan.

Current

ESP Crying Star Classic
  • Body: Honduras Mahogany
  • Neck: Honduras Mahogany
  • Fingerboard: Rosewood, 24 frets
  • Inlay: MOP Block
  • Scale: 628mm (Medium)
  • Nut: Bone
  • Joint: Set-neck
  • Tuner: GOTOH SG301-20
  • Bridge: GOTOH GE103B-T & GE101A
  • Pickup: (Bridge) Seymour Duncan SH-2n (Neck) Seymour Duncan SH-4
  • Control: Master Volume, Front Tone, Rear Tone Toggle PU Selector
  • Color: Cherry


ESP Crying Star Rebel
  • Body: Alder
  • Neck: Hard Maple 3P
  • Fingerboard: Rosewood, 27 Frets
  • Scale: 628mm (Medium)
  • Nut: Bone
  • Inlay: MOP Dot
  • Joint: Bolt-on
  • Tuner: GOTOH SG301-20 & Hipshot GT1
  • Bridge: Tune-Matic
  • Pickup: Seymour Duncan
    Seymour Duncan
    Seymour Duncan is a company that is best known for manufacturing of guitar pickups, and currently has a line of effects pedals. The company was founded in 1976 by guitarist and luthier Seymour W. Duncan and his then-wife Cathy Carter Duncan in Goleta, California, USA...

     JB Jr (neck), Seymour Duncan JB (bridge) / EMG SAV (neck), EMG 89 (bridge)
  • Control: Master Volume, Master Tone, EMG SPC Control Toggle, 3-Way PU Selector, Mini-Toggle On/Off Switch
  • Color: Pearl White

Other guitars

  • ESP Crying Star (Seymour Duncan JB jr + Seymour Duncan JB)
  • ESP Crying Star (EMG SAV + EMG SAV)
  • ESP Crying Seven (24 Frets + EMG 707 + 707)
  • ESP Crying Seven (24 Frets + Seymour Duncan SH-1N-7 + SH5-7)
  • ESP Crying Seven (24 Frets + Seymour Duncan SH5-7)
  • ESP MV (Syu Custom)
  • ESP M-SEVEN (Syu Custom)
  • ESP EX-280 (Syu Custom)
  • Edwards E-EX-138
  • Edwards E-FV-80D (Syu Custom)
  • Edwards E-SE-87R/LT (Syu Custom)
  • Edwards E-CS-160 (Crying Star)
  • Ovation Steel String Acoustic Guitar
  • ESP CRYİNG V
  • ESP Crying Star Phoenix

Effects

  • Ibanez
    Ibanez
    is a Japanese guitar brand owned by Hoshino Gakki. Based in Nagoya, Aichi, Japan, Hoshino Gakki were one of the first Japanese musical instrument companies to gain a significant foothold in import guitar sales in the United States and Europe, as well as the first brand of guitars to mass produce...

     Tubescreamer TS-9
  • Boss
    Boss Corporation
    Boss is a manufacturer of effects pedals for electric guitar and bass guitar. It is a division of the Roland Corporation, a Japanese manufacturer that specializes in musical equipment and accessories...

     GT-10
  • Boss GT-8
  • Boss ME-70
  • Boss ME-20
  • Boss ME-25
  • Various Boss and other brand compact pedals
  • Roland GR-55 Guitar Synthesizer
  • Boss ST2
  • Boss Dyna Drive
  • Boss PS6 Harmonist
  • Boss Blues driver
  • Vox V847 wah-wah pedal effect
  • Boss Chromatic Tuner
  • MXR ZW-44 Overdrive pedal
  • Boss Noise Gate

Amplifiers

Syu mainly uses various models of Marshall
Marshall Amplification
Marshall Amplification is a British company, founded by drummer Jim Marshall, that designs and manufactures music amplifiers, brands personal headphones/earphones , and, after acquiring Natal Drums, drums and bongos. Marshall amplifiers, and specifically their guitar amplifiers, are among the most...

 amps and Hughes and Kettner amps.

Discography

  • Crying Stars -Stand Proud!- (September 29, 2010)
  1. "Street Lethal
    Street Lethal
    Street Lethal is the debut album by Racer X. It introduced the original band lineup featuring drummer Harry Gschoesser.-Background:Street Lethal was recorded in Prairie Sun Studio, in Cotati, California. Guitarist Paul Gilbert used two borrowed guitars to record the album - a Squier Strat and a...

    " – Racer X
  2. "The Damnation Game" – Symphony X
    Symphony X
    Symphony X is an American progressive metal band from Middletown, New Jersey.Founded in 1994 by guitarist Michael Romeo, their albums The Divine Wings of Tragedy and V: The New Mythology Suite have given the band considerable attention within the progressive metal community...

  3. "Silverwing" – Arch Enemy
  4. "Never Die
    The Seventh Sign (album)
    The Seventh Sign is the seventh studio album by guitarist Yngwie Malmsteen, released in 1994 through Music for Nations and Pony Canyon, Inc...

    " – Yngwie J. Malmsteen
    Yngwie J. Malmsteen
    Yngwie Johann Malmsteen is a Swedish guitarist, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and bandleader. Malmsteen became known for his neo-classical playing approach in heavy metal music which became a new musical style in the early 1980s.- Early life :...

  5. "We'll Burn the Sky
    Taken by Force
    Note that most versions of this album feature an edited version of 'The Sails of Charon'. The editing removes a "psychedelic" like sound-effects introduction. The intro doesn't actually contain any music performed by the band...

    " – Scorpions
    Scorpions (band)
    Scorpions are a heavy metal/hard rock band from Hannover, Germany, formed in 1965 by guitarist Rudolf Schenker, who is the band's only constant member. They are known for their 1980s rock anthem "Rock You Like a Hurricane" and many singles, such as "No One Like You", "Send Me an Angel", "Still...

  6. "Alone
    Alone (Heart song)
    -Céline Dion version:Céline Dion covered "Alone" for her 2007 album Taking Chances. It was released as the second single in Europe and North America, and third in the United Kingdom...

    " – Heart
    Heart (band)
    Heart is an American rock band who first found success in Canada. Throughout several lineup changes, the only two members remaining constant are sisters Ann and Nancy Wilson. The group rose to fame in the 1970s with their music being influenced by hard rock as well as folk music...

  7. "Against the Wind" – 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...

  8. "Thought of a Dying Atheist" – Muse
    Muse (band)
    Muse are an English alternative rock band from Teignmouth, Devon, formed in 1994. The band consists of school friends Matthew Bellamy , Christopher Wolstenholme and Dominic Howard...

  9. "Red Sky
    Built to Destroy
    Built to Destroy is the fourth album by the Michael Schenker Group . Gary Barden returned to the group on vocals following the departure of Graham Bonnet amidst tensions with Michael Schenker....

    " – Michael Schenker Group
    Michael Schenker Group
    The Michael Schenker Group is a guitar-oriented hard rock band formed in 1979 by former Scorpions and UFO guitarist, Michael Schenker. In 1986, Schenker and vocalist Robin McAuley formed the McAuley Schenker Group, which lasted until 1992. After that, the Michael Schenker Group was reformed.The...

  10. "I Remember You" – Skid Row
  11. "The Spirit Carries On
    Metropolis Pt. 2: Scenes from a Memory
    Metropolis Pt. 2: Scenes from a Memory is the fifth studio album by American progressive metal band Dream Theater, released in 1999. It is a concept album that deals with the story of a man named Nicholas and the discovery of his past life, which involves love, murder, and infidelity as Victoria Page...

    " – 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...

  12. "Only for the Weak
    Clayman
    Clayman is the fifth album by Swedish melodic death metal band, In Flames. The album was released by Nuclear Blast in 2000. Most of the lyrics deal with depression and internal struggles...

    " – In Flames
    In Flames
    In Flames is a Swedish heavy metal band from Gothenburg, formed in 1990. Since the band's inception in 1993, they have released ten studio albums and one live DVD...


Personnel

  • Syu – guitar on all tracks, vocals on tracks 8 & 12, chorus on tracks 1, 2 & 7, "throat" on tracks 3, 8 & 12, voice on track 4
  • Masashi "Sho" Ono (Galneryus
    Galneryus
    Galneryus is a power/neo-classical metal band from Osaka, Japan that formed in 2001.- 2001–2002: Formation and indie days :Galneryus was formed in 2001 by guitarist Syu along with vocalist Masahiro "Yama-B" Yamaguchi...

    ) – vocals on tracks 4, 5, 7, 10 & 11, chorus on track 1
  • Taka (Galneryus) – bass on tracks 2, 7, 10 & 11
  • Junichi (Galneryus, Spinalchord, ex: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...

    ) – drums on tracks 7, 8, 11 & 12
  • Yuhki (Galneryus) – keyboards on tracks 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10, 11 & 12
  • Eizo Sakamoto
    Eizo Sakamoto
    is a Japanese heavy metal musician who was born in Nishinomiya, Hyōgo Prefecture. He is most famous for being the lead vocalist of 1980s band Anthem. In the 1990s he started up the band Animetal which performed heavy metal covers of anime and tokusatsu opening and closing themes. He also was...

     (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....

    , Anthem
    Anthem (band)
    is a Japanese heavy metal band that was formed during the early 1980s in Tokyo. They are among the handful of heavy metal bands founded in Japan during that time and are considered to be one of the most successful and influential, alongside Loudness and Earthshaker.-Early years :Anthem was founded...

    ) – vocals on tracks 1 & 9
  • Masaki (Animetal, Canta, Zigoku Quartet) – bass on tracks 1 & 9
  • Katsuji (Animetal, Gargoyle) – drums on tracks 1, 2, 9 & 10
  • Kyoichi (Valkyr, Spinalchord) – bass on tracks 8 & 12
  • Nov (Aion
    Aion (Japanese band)
    Aion is a Japanese metal band formed in 1983 by guitarist Izumi. Aion are considered to be important to the formation of visual kei, credited as being one of the bands to start the movement in the early '80s. They are also considered to be one of the most successful heavy metal bands in Japan,...

    , Zigoku Quartet) – vocals on track 2
  • Raiden Yuzawa (Canta, 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...

    ) – drums on tracks 5 & 6
  • Kenjirou Murai (Cycle, ex:Sex Machineguns
    Sex Machineguns
    Sex Machineguns is a Japanese speed metal band formed in 1983. Their music is characterized by a heavy focus on bass as well as extremely fast guitar and bass solos...

    , Cali Gari
    Cali Gari
    Cali Gari is a Japanese visual kei band formed with the concept erotic grotesque. It was founded in 1992 and named after the horror film The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari. The band's debut single came out in 1994 and their first major single was "Dai 7 Jikkenshitsu Yokokuban -Maguro-" released April...

    ) – bass on tracks 3, 4, 5 & 6
  • Joe (Cycle, ex:Sex Machineguns) – drums on tracks 3 & 4
  • Panther
    Yoshikazu Yahiro
    Yoshikazu Yahiro , better known by his stage name Panther and formerly as Circuit.V.Panther, is a Japanese metal guitarist...

     (Cycle, ex:Sex Machineguns) – guitar on track 3's 2nd solo and harmony solo
  • Leda (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....

    , ex:Galneryus as Yu-To) – guitar on tracks 1's harmony solo and 2nd solo
  • Ruiza (D) – guitar on track 8's first solo
  • Akane Liv (Liv Moon) – vocals on track 6

External links

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