Galneryus

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.[5][6] 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. The band's highest charting studio album is their eleventh, Ultimate Sacrifice, which was released in 2017 and reached number 13. In 2017, Loudwire named Galneryus one of the 10 Best Japanese Metal Bands.[7]

Galneryus
Galneryus performing in Mexico in 2016. From left to right: Yuhki, Taka, Sho, Fumiya, Syu
Background information
Origin	Osaka, Japan
Genres	Power metal[1][2][3] symphonic metal[4] neoclassical metal
Years active	2001–present
Labels	Iron Shock VAP Warner Music Japan
Associated acts	Animetal Spinalchord Valkyr Concerto Moon Ark Storm AxBites Rekion Gunbridge Deluhi
Website	galneryus.jp
Members	Syu Yuhki Sho Taka Lea
Past members	Tsui Yama-B Yu-To Jun-ichi Fumiya

History

2001–2002: Formation and indie days

Galneryus was formed in 2001 by guitarist and bandleader Syu (formerly from Valkyr, Animetal, Aushvitz, and Masaki Project) along with vocalist Masahiro "Yama-B" Yamaguchi (frontman of AxBites and solo artist of Rekion, River End and Gunbridge).[6][8] Both veterans of the 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 titled "United Flag". The demo was self-produced and released independently. This EP 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, and Concerto Moon, Galneryus went back to the studio to record a second EP. Rebel Flag was released through the independent label Iron Shock in August 2002.[9] 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 power metal band Dragonland,[10] as well as Australia's Dungeon. As a result, Dragonland 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, and Mephistopheles. Galneryus performed the song "Black Diamond" (originally from Finnish power metal band Stratovarius) on the compilation album Stand Proud! III and performed the song "Soldier of Fortune" (from Japanese heavy metal band Loudness) 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 artist Yoshitaka Amano.[8] 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) on drums. The album was finally released in October 2003.[9] In March 2005, Galneryus released their second album Advance to the Fall, and later released their third full-length album Beyond the End of Despair... in July 2006.

After the Live for Rebirth tour, Tsui left Galneryus and Yu-To (later known as Leda of Deluhi)[11] was recruited to fill in for bass. The band shortly after released their fourth album One for All - All for One on August 22, 2007. On October 27, they released their first cover album Voices from the Past. Galneryus then debuted on iTunes Store, making their material available worldwide.

2008–2011: Yama-B's departure 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 series Rin ~Daughters of Mnemosyne~.[12]

On October 10, 2008, it was announced that vocalist Yama-B was leaving the band at the end of the Back to the Flag tour.[13][14] The decision was made during the recording/releasing of their fifth full album, Reincarnation. According to Yama-B's note left to the fans on Galneryus' official site, he left due to the band's growth and change.[14] In the note, Yama-B stated that due to differences in opinion on the band's style of music, he was leaving. He and the rest of Galneryus are all okay with this and wished each other well as they went their separate ways. Yama-B later elaborated in 2013, recalling that while he and Syu had different musical tastes from the beginning, with every release the band slowly chased after a new sound "instead of doing music we loved".[15] While Yama-B "likes to stick to a certain set of rules, concepts", particularly Syu would spontaneously abandon a style in order to incorporate new inspirations.[15] On October 23, 2008, Galneryus released their second cover album Voices from the Past II, and on March 25, 2009, they released two "best of" albums.

The Galneryus logo, used since 2010.

Well-known vocalist Masatoshi "Sho" Ono stepped in for Yama-B at a performance at the tenth anniversary of Pure Rock Japan Live.[16] In September 2009, bassist Yu-To left the group, and Sho and Taka officially joined.[17] This line-up had their first performance at Loud Park Festival 2009.[17] Galneryus' song "A Far-Off Distance" was used as the ending theme of the 2010 Rainbow: Nisha Rokubō no Shichinin anime.[18] On April 21, they released the digital EP Beginning of the Resurrection, which contains a cover of Sho's signature song "You're the Only...". They released their sixth full-length album, Resurrection, on June 23 and their third cover album, Voices from the Past III, on August 20.

In 2011, their song "Destiny" was used in the music video games GuitarFreaks XG2: Groove on Live and DrumMania XG2: Groove on Live. Also, their song "New Legend" was used in GuitarFreaks XG3 and DrumMania XG3.

The band released the limited single "Future Never Dies" on September 7, 2011 and the album Phoenix Rising on October 5.

2012–present: Angel of Salvation, European tour and new drummers

Galneryus performing at the Busan Rock Festival in Korea, 2012.

On January 25, 2012, they released the mini-album Kizuna. The title song was used in a Fist of the Blue Sky pachinko game,[19] and its cover features the series' main character. Galneryus' next single "Hunting for Your Dream" was used as the second closing theme for the new Hunter × Hunter anime adaptation.[20] Ono's solo song "Departure!" (which was covered in English by Galneryus on Kizuna[19]) was previously the series' first opening theme, while a different version titled "Departure! -Second Version-" was its second.[20]

Their eighth studio album Angel of Salvation was released on October 10, 2012. It reached number 17 on the Oricon chart, making it their highest charting studio album. The title track is 14:42 minutes long, twice as long as the version featured in its music video, and features Akane Liv (of Liv Moon) performing backing vocals. Yuhki, alongside the band, collaborated with acclaimed video game composer Daisuke Ishiwatari to create the soundtrack for the Japanese fighting game BlazBlue: Chrono Phantasma, which released in arcades in November 2012, performing arrangements for most of the series' original themes.

On May 22, 2013, Galneryus released their first self-cover album, The Ironhearted Flag Vol. 1: Regeneration Side.[21] It became their highest charting release to date, reaching number 15, and is part of their 10th anniversary celebration, which also included a tour from June 7 to 30.[21] On May 26, they performed at the Pure Rock Japan Live 2013 at Club Citta, alongside NoGoD, Saber Tiger and Onmyo-Za.[22]

Jun-ichi was Galneryus' drummer from 2003 to 2016.

Galneryus embarked on their first European tour in July 2014. Beginning in Germany, the four date tour also took them to France before finishing in Spain.[23] They released the album Vetelgyus in September 2014. Galneryus' song "Attitude to Life" was used as the ending theme for the anime television series Laughing Under the Clouds.[24] Galneryus released Under the Force of Courage, their tenth album and first concept album in December 2015.[25]

In June 2016, it was announced that drummer Jun-ichi had amicably left Galneryus after 13 years. He was replaced by Fumiya of the groups Thousand Eyes and Undead Corporation.[26] The following year they also changed record labels for the first time in 14 years, switching to Warner Music Japan for the September 27, 2017 release of Ultimate Sacrifice.[27] It continues the concept of their previous album,[4] and has since become their highest charting studio album, reaching number 13 on the Oricon chart.

On July 29, 2019, the band revealed that they have almost finished working on their twelfth full-length album. On August 30, they announced that their new album, entitled 'Into the Purgatory' will be released on October 23, 2019.[28][29]

In June 2020, Galneryus announced that Fumiya had left the band. He was immediately replaced by Lea of the band 罪號人~Zygote~.[30]

Members

Current members Syu – guitar, backing vocals, leader (2001–present) Yuhki – keyboards, Hammond organ, keytar, backing vocals (2003–present, support in 2002) Masatoshi "Sho" Ono (小野 正利, Ono Masatoshi) – vocals (2009–present) Taka – bass (2009–present) Lea – drums (2020–present)

Former members Ryosuke "Tsui" Matsui (松井 亮介, Matsui Ryōsuke) – bass, backing vocals (2003–2006) Masahiro "Yama-B" Yamaguchi (山口 将宏, Yamaguchi Masahiro) – vocals (2001–2008) Yu-To – bass, backing vocals (2006–2009); support guitar as Leda (2011) Junichi Satoh (佐藤 潤一, Satō Jun'ichi) – drums (2003–2016) Fumiya Morishita (森下フミヤ, Morishita Fumiya) – drums (2016–2020) Support members Shōgo Himuro – bass (2001–2002) A – keyboards (2001–2002) Yoshinori Kataoka – keyboards (2002) Toshihiro "Tossan" Yui – drums (2001–2002) Yusuke – bass (2002–2003)

Timeline

• 
  Syu
• 
  Yuhki
• 
  Sho
• 
  Taka

Discography

Studio albums

Year	Album Details	Oricon chart[31]
2003	The Flag of Punishment Released: October 22, 2003	161
2005	Advance to the Fall Released: March 23, 2005	86
2006	Beyond the End of Despair... Released: July 12, 2006	57
2007	One for All - All for One Released: August 22, 2007	53
2008	Reincarnation Released: September 10, 2008	55
2010	Resurrection Released: June 23, 2010	35
2011	Phoenix Rising Released: October 5, 2011	23
2012	Angel of Salvation Released: October 10, 2012	17
2014	Vetelgyus Released: September 24, 2014	18
2015	Under the Force of Courage Released: December 9, 2015	21
2017	Ultimate Sacrifice Released: September 27, 2017	13
2019	Into the Purgatory Released: October 23, 2019	18

EPs

Year	Album Details	Oricon chart[31]
2001	United Flag Released: October 21, 2001	—
2008	Shining Moments Released: July 30, 2008	—
2010	Beginning of the Resurrection Released: April 21, 2010	—
2012	Kizuna (絆 Bonds) Released: January 25, 2012	37

Singles

Year	Title	Oricon chart[32]
2002	"Rebel Flag" Released: August 23, 2002	—
2007	"Everlasting" Released: June 27, 2007	68
2008	"Alsatia/Cause Disarray" Released: March 19, 2008	60
2011	"Future Never Dies" Limited single Released: September 7, 2011	—
2012	"Hunting for Your Dream" Released: July 17, 2012	30
2014	"Attitude to Life" Released: December 3, 2014	54

Cover albums

Year	Album Details	Oricon chart[31]
2007	Voices from the Past Released: October 8, 2007	—
2008	Voices from the Past II Released: October 23, 2008	—
2010	Voices from the Past III Released: August 20, 2010	—
2013	The Ironhearted Flag Vol. 1: Regeneration Side Self-cover Released: May 22, 2013	15
	The Ironhearted Flag Vol. 2: Reformation Side Self-cover Released: September 4, 2013	17

Compilation albums

Year	Album Details	Oricon chart[31]
2009	Best of the Braving Days Released: March 25, 2009	154
	Best of the Awakening Days Released: March 25, 2009	157
2012	Best-R Rental only Released: September 25, 2012	—

Compilation appearances

Year	Song	Album	Release date
2002	"Black Diamond" (originally by Stratovarius)	Stand Proud! III (スタンド・プラウド! III)	December 11, 2002
	"Soldier of Fortune" (originally by Loudness)	Japanese Heavy Metal Tribute Tamashii II (~JAPANESE HEAVY METAL TRIBUTE~魂II)	December 11, 2002
2004	"Struggle for the Freedom Flag"	Hard Rock Summit in Osaka	June 16, 2004
2006	"Serenade" (D.N. mix)	The Songs For Death Note The Movie ~The Last Name Tribute~	December 20, 2006
2010	"A Far-Off Distance" (TV Size)	Rainbow: Nisha Rokubō no Shichinin Opening/Ending theme digital EP	June 16, 2010
	"Holy Blood: Tatakai no Kettō" (originally by Seikima-II) (HOLY BLOOD 〜闘いの血統〜)	Tribute to Seikima-II: Akuma to no Keiyakusho (Tribute to 聖飢魔II -悪魔との契約書-)	September 15, 2010
	"Against the Wind" (originally by Stratovarius)	Crying Stars -Stand Proud!-	September 29, 2010
	"The Spirit Carries On" (originally by Dream Theater)
2011	"Tonight I'm Falling" (originally by TNT)	The Voice -Stand Proud!-	October 5, 2011
	"Angel Don't Cry" (originally by Toto)

DVDs

Year	Title	Oricon chart [33][34]
2006	Live for Rebirth Released: November 22, 2006	DVD: 142
2008	Live for All - Live for One Released: March 5, 2008	DVD: 85
2010	Live in the Moment of the Resurrection Released: December 8, 2010	DVD: 47
2012	Phoenix Living in the Rising Sun Released: March 28, 2012	DVD: 47
2014	Reliving the Ironhearted Flag Released: March 26, 2014	BD: 44
2015	Attitude to Live Released: May 20, 2015	DVD: 42 BD: 18
2016	The Sense of Our Lives Released: September 9, 2016	DVD: 66 BD: 19
2018	Just Play to the Sky ~What Could We Do For You...?~ Released: April 25, 2018	DVD: 75 BD: 46

References

1. Eremenko, Alexey. "Galneryus - Biography & History". AllMusic. Retrieved 20 November 2017.
2. Bezer, Terry (18 July 2014). "Beyond Babymetal: The New Wave of J-Metal". TeamRock.com. Retrieved 20 November 2017.
3. FoXjapan & Kay (23 August 2011). "GALNERYUS Biography". JaME USA. Retrieved 20 November 2017.
4. "GALNERYUSが追求する、ヘヴィメタルとしての"新しさ"　「引き出しが増えていくことが大事」". Real Sound (in Japanese). 2017-09-27. Retrieved 2018-09-14.
5. Artist.cdjournal.com Galneryus Artist Profile Retrieved Jan 23, 2011
6. Barks.jp ガルネリウス Biography Retrieved January 23, 2011
7. "10 Best Japanese Metal Bands". Loudwire. 2017-04-20. Retrieved 2017-06-08.
8. Exlusive interview with Syu jame-world.com Retrieved 2011-01-23
9. "GALNERYUS - Real Sound". Real Sound (in Japanese). Retrieved 2018-09-14.
10. "Galneryus". Allmusic. Retrieved 2014-09-01.
11. DELUHI - デルヒ Archived 2015-01-02 at the Wayback Machine jame-world.com. Retrieved 2015-01-01.
12. "XEBEC – ムネモシュネの娘たち - スタッフ＆キャスト". Archived from the original on 2018-01-13. Retrieved 2017-10-21.
13. "Galneryus, all new line-up!". neumania.net. Archived from the original on 2009-09-17. Retrieved 2013-03-31.
14. "YAMA-B Leaves Galneryus". jame-world.com. Retrieved 2012-07-25.
15. "Interview with YAMA-B". jame-world.com. Retrieved 2013-04-16.
16. "PURE ROCK JAPAN LIVE 2009 at Kawasaki Club Citta". jame-world.com. Retrieved 2012-07-25.
17. "Galneryus Return with New Line-Up". jame-world.com. Retrieved 2012-07-25.
18. "主題歌：　ＲＡＩＮＢＯＷ　二舎六房の七人 (Main Themes: Rainbow: Nisha Rokubō no Shichinin)". Rainbow: Nisha Rokubō no Shichini (in Japanese). Nippon Television. 2010. Retrieved 2017-10-01.
19. "Kizuna GALNERYUS". cdjapan.co.jp. Retrieved 2012-03-14.
20. "GALNERYUS to provide new theme song for "HUNTER x HUNTER"". tokyohive.com. Retrieved 2012-03-19.
21. "Self-Cover Album from GALNERYUS". jame-world.com. Retrieved 2012-03-31.
22. "PURE ROCK JAPAN LIVE 2013". jame-world.com. Retrieved 2013-08-24.
23. "GALNERYUS to go on European Tour". jame-world.com. Retrieved 2014-05-25.
24. "音楽｜TVアニメ「曇天に笑う」公式サイト". Retrieved 2017-10-01.
25. "GALNERYUSが"100％ヘヴィ・メタル"であり続ける理由「自分が聴きたいものをやる」". Real Sound (in Japanese). 2016-03-02. Retrieved 2018-09-14.
26. "Junichi Leaves GALNERYUS". jame-world.com. Retrieved 2016-06-27.
27. "New Album from GALNERYUS". jame-world.com. Retrieved 2017-06-05.
28. "GALNERYUS OFFICIAL on Twitter". Twitter. 29 July 2019. Retrieved 30 July 2019.
29. "GALNERYUS OFFICIAL on Twitter". Twitter. 30 August 2019. Retrieved 30 August 2019.
30. "GALNERYUS OFFICIAL on Twitter: 《FUMIYAの脱退、及びLEA(Dr)の加入のお知らせ》". Twitter. 2 June 2020. Retrieved 2 June 2020.
31. Oricon (in Japanese). GALNERYUS albums on Oricon Chart
32. Oricon (in Japanese). GALNERYUS singles on Oricon Chart
33. Oricon (in Japanese). GALNERYUS DVDs on Oricon Chart
34. Oricon (in Japanese). GALNERYUS Blu-rays on Oricon Chart

External links

• Official website