Galneryus (Japanese: ガルネリウス, Hepburn: Garuneriusu; stylized as GALNERYUS) is a Japanese power metal band, formed in Osaka in 2001 by guitarist Syu and vocalist Yama-B. Originally the only official members, the two utilized several support musicians until bassist Tsui, keyboardist Yuhki, and drummer Jun-ichi officially joined for the release of their debut album in 2003. Yama-B left the group in 2008 citing musical differences, and Yu-To, who replaced Tsui in 2006, left the following year. Galneryus recruited Sho on vocals and Taka on bass, and released the album Resurrection in 2010. Jun-ichi left in 2016, and the following year the band released their highest-charting studio album, Ultimate Sacrifice, which reached number 13. In 2017, Loudwire named Galneryus one of the 10 Best Japanese Metal Bands.
Top Tracks
Releases in the Catalogue
- Galneryus - Live for All-Live for One -
VPBQ-19047(2008) - Galneryus - Live in the Moment of the Resurrection -
VPBQ-19069(2010) - Galneryus - VETELGYUS -
VPCC-80669(2014) - Galneryus - THE SENSE OF OUR LIVES -
VPXQ-79008(2016)
Members
Current
- Masatoshi Ono - Additional Chorus, Band [Galneryus], Vocal, Vocals
- Syu - Additional Chorus, Band [Galneryus], Chorus, Guitar, Lyrics By, Music By, Throat
- TAKA - Band [Galneryus], Bass
- YUHKI - Additional Chorus, Band [Galneryus], Chorus, Hammond Organ, Keyboards, Music By, Organ
- Lea
Former
- Junichi Satou - Band [Galneryus], Drums, Music By
- Yama-B - Lyrics By, Music By, Vocal, Vocals
- Yu-To - Bass, Chorus, Music By
- A
- Fumiya Morishita
- Shogo Himuro
- Toshihiro Tossan Yui
- Tsui
- Yoshinori Kataoka
- Yusuke
History
Translated from the ja.wikipedia article GALNERYUS (CC BY-SA 4.0), revision 110400600.
Members
First Lineup
YAMA-B (vocals) Born August 2, 1971; blood type A. From Wakayama Prefecture.
Syu (guitar) Born September 23, 1980; blood type AB. From Ashiya, Hyōgo Prefecture.
TSUI (bass) Born February 24, 1979; blood type AB. From Nishinomiya, Hyōgo Prefecture.
YUHKI (keyboards) Born March 17, 1970; blood type O. From Kanagawa Prefecture.
JUNICHI (drums) Born April 9, 1971; blood type A. From Okayama Prefecture.
Second Lineup (February 2007–)
YAMA-B (vocals)
Syu (guitar)
YU-TO (bass) Born June 9, 1987. From Mie Prefecture.
YUHKI (keyboards)
JUNICHI (drums)
Third Lineup (September 2009–)
SHO (Masatoshi “SHO” Ono) (vocals) Born January 29, 1967; blood type AB. From Tokyo.
Syu (guitar)
TAKA (bass) Born May 2; blood type B. From Osaka Prefecture.
YUHKI (keyboards)
Jun-ichi (drums)
Fourth Lineup (June 2016–)
SYU (guitar)
SHO (vocals)
TAKA (bass)
FUMIYA (drums) Born December 18, 1984; blood type AB. From Teshikaga, Hokkaido.
YUHKI (keyboards)
Fifth Lineup (June 2020–)
SYU (guitar)
SHO (vocals)
TAKA (bass)
LEA (drums) Born September 30; blood type A. From Tokyo.
YUHKI (keyboards)
Musical Style
Galneryus incorporates melancholic melodies into the fast-paced sound of melodic speed metal, making extensive use of progressive metal-style phrases featuring complex irregular time signatures, as well as symphonic metal-style phrases such as ensembles with choirs.
Many of its songs also display neoclassical metal elements that draw on guitarist SYU's background in violin, including the song “ANGEL OF SALVATION”, which is based on Violin Concerto, Op. 35, and “THE FLAG OF REINCARNATION”, from the album Reincarnation, which incorporates phrases from famous classical works into its guitar solo.
Each member possesses highly advanced instrumental skills and has gained support from band musicians and music fans in Japan and abroad not only through the band's activities, but also through instrument seminars and videos distributed through the official YouTube channel. The members have broad personal connections and frequently perform with Japanese and international artists in numerous music magazines and live events, as well as participating as support members on various studio recordings and live performances.
Their catchy music, interwoven with advanced technique, has also received high acclaim, and they have provided songs for artists including RAMI (formerly of Aldious), Ryuji Aoki, and × Japari Dan.
The first through third albums were produced around the concept of “a warrior who rises up against the tyranny of a king”, while the seventh album was produced around the concept of “Ganbare Nippon”, influenced by the effects of the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami in the year of its release.
The first through fifth albums, on which YAMA-B served as vocalist, centered on songs that foregrounded a sense of weight and emphasized power metal elements. From the sixth album, following the addition of Masatoshi Ono, the band has centered on songs that make use of the vocalist's wide vocal range and emphasize melodic speed metal elements with a focus on a sense of speed.
The tenth and eleventh albums were created as Galneryus's first concept albums, accompanied by booklets based on original stories, unlike the aforementioned first through third albums and seventh album. Both received high acclaim and succeeded in elevating the band to a higher level.
Before Major Debut
Galneryus was formed in Osaka in 2001, centered around Syu.
On August 23, 2002, the band released the maxi single Rebel Flag through the IRON SHOCK label.
On December 11, 2002, the band participated in the compilation album Stand Proud III, released by Avex, with a cover of Stratovarius's “Black Diamond.” On the same day, it also participated in the compilation album (Soul) Spirit II, released by VAP, with a cover of LOUDNESS's “Soldier of Fortune.”
First Period
On October 22, 2003, Galneryus made its major-label debut with its first album, The Flag Of Punishment.
In May 2005, the band began its first nationwide live tour, REVELATION FROM THE RED SKY.
In December 2006, TSUI left the band.
Second Period
In 2007, the artist name was changed to GALNERYUS, written entirely in capital letters. All song titles were also thereafter written in capital letters.
In February 2007, YU-TO (bass) joined the band.
In October 2008, YAMA-B left the band following the final date of the live tour “TOUR 2008 ‘BACK TO THE FLAG’”.
On March 25, 2009, the best-of albums BEST OF THE BRAVING DAYS and BEST OF THE AWAKENING DAYS were released.
Third Era
On May 30, 2009, Masatoshi Ono participated as a substitute vocalist at “PURE ROCK JAPAN LIVE 2009”.
In September 2009, Yu-to left the band, while Masatoshi “SHO” Ono and TAKA officially joined.
On June 23, 2010, the band released its sixth album, RESURRECTION, which debuted at number 35 on the Oricon chart.
On October 10, 2012, the band released its eighth album, ANGEL OF SALVATION, which became the first album by a Japanese heavy metal band to enter the top 10 of the Oricon daily album chart.
In October 2012, the band began the “UNDER THE PROMISED FLAG” TOUR, which drew the largest audiences in its history.
In 2013, to commemorate the 10th anniversary of its major-label debut, the band released the self-cover album THE IRONHEARTED FLAG Vol.1: REGENERATION SIDE on May 24, followed by the self-cover album THE IRONHEARTED FLAG Vol.2: REFORMATION SIDE on September 4.
On December 9, 2015, the band released its tenth album, UNDER THE FORCE OF COURAGE, GALNERYUS's first concept album.
On June 18, 2016, Jun-ichi left the band.
Fourth Era
In 2016, FUMIYA, who was active in THOUSAND EYES, UNDEAD CORPORATION, and other bands, joined as the successor to the departed Jun-ichi.
On November 6, 2016, the “UNBREAKABLE” TOUR 2016 began, serving in part as an introduction of the new member FUMIYA.
On September 27, 2017, the band released its 11th album, ULTIMATE SACRIFICE, its second concept album. It sold 5,095 copies in its first week and reached number 13 on the Oricon Weekly Album Ranking dated October 4.
On February 1, 2019, the band held its 15th major-label debut anniversary concert, “15th Anniversary ~Radiance~ The Notes Of Our Glory”, at EX THEATER ROPPONGI.
On September 5, 2019, the band appeared at Prog Power USA 2019 in Atlanta, giving its first performance in the United States.
On October 23, 2019, the band released its 12th album, INTO THE PURGATORY.
Fifth Era
On June 2, 2020, FUMIYA left the band and was replaced by LEA, who was active in ZYGOTE.
On October 25, 2020, Galneryus held its first live performance of the fifth era, "We'll See The Light Of Hope", in a streaming format.
On June 16, 2021, the band released its first special album, UNION GIVES STRENGTH.
On March 1, 2023, the band released its second special album, BETWEEN DREAD AND VALOR.
On September 25, 2024, the band released THE STARS WILL LIGHT THE WAY, its first full-length album of the fifth era.
Sources
- Wikidata entity Q2017663.
- en.wikipedia, Galneryus (revision 1365911188), CC BY-SA 4.0.
- ja.wikipedia, GALNERYUS (revision 110400600), CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Photograph: Galneryus.jpg - Press shot via Deezer (artist 13248389).