Gallhammer: The Beast In The East

Interest of extreme metal in the Far East has shown significant results in metal's underground for well over two decades. With acts such as Intestine Baalism, Sabbat, Abigail, Sigh, and the all female grindcore band Flagitious Idiosyncrasy In The Dilapidation have been favorites of those in the know for years. One of the most interesting metal bands comes as a female three piece group known as Gallhammer from Tokyo, Japan whose heavy doom-laden blend of crust and Hellhammer influences are making soundwaves in today's metal scene.

Formed in 2003, bassist/vocalist Vivian Slaughter assembled the band with the help of Mika Penetrator (guitar) and Risa Reaper (drums), both who had come from very different musical backgrounds. It had been no easy task for Vivian. "It is hard to find band members with the same taste of music, and I found Mika and Risa from very different styles of music", states Vivian. Such differences in each member's taste may very well attribute to the companionship which exists in Gallhammer. "They were so much more interesting in my idea. Heavy metal was lors of fun when I was a teenager. There is heavy metal in my blood. Not Mika and Risa. It is strange, but true. They had never heard this kind of music before they played in Gallhammer", says Vivian.

Months after several self released demos, Gallhammer soon found themselves with an offer from Peaceville Records, an overseas label fluent with artists in both black metal and death metal genres. "Honestly, I did not have an interest in signing with a label", states Vivian. "But I was a fan of Peaceville. I received their offer and I was so surprised. We only live once and I like strange happenings, good or not". By 2004, their first full length, Gloomy Lights, was released to hordes of metal fans and was met with great response. Their sophomore effort Dawn Of Gallhammer was then released in 2007 and included a DVD of live preformances thus putting Gallhammer firmly on the map. Says Vivian, "We just enjoyed our music. We really like to play and make songs. We wanted to record and preserve our music. We did not think about "we want to be famous" or big. We just wanted to enjoy ourselves".

"We did not think about 'we want to be famous' or big. We just wanted to enjoy ourselves."

By 2007, Gallhammer landed in Europe on their first tour outside of Japan. Dawn Of Gallhammer was being heralded by metal publications worldwide and the band had begun seeing more and more press coverage. Says Vivian of their recent European jaunt, "It was very good! I really like to play, but we had so much trouble at the same time. It was the first time we had played outside of Japan. We really do want to tour more and gig. We don't care where we play. I was so glad that so many people supported us and were so nice. I want to say "Thanks!"".

When asked if this new found recognition is surprising to her friends and family, Vivian remains grounded in her beliefs. "We are just an underground band in Japan, but we've bene very busy after we signed to Peaceville. Maybe my parents are angry because I am so poor and they are strict Catholics!", laughs Vivian.

Gallhammer's most recent release, Ill Innocence, released last September through Peaceville, is an unstoppable juggernaut of crusty doom metal and will once again have the band embark on yet another tour with dates already confirmed across the globe. Not suprprisingly, more and more female fans are picking up on Gallhammer's music and recognizing the effort put forth by the female trio. Vivian's advice to female musicians who favor extreme metal and are thinking of forming their own group is this: "Most important is to start what you want to do. I started to play music when I was sixteen and played a gig soon after. I did a lot of things that I wanted to and that I'm interested in. I think this action is most important to me."

Interview by Ryk Weston
Ultimate-Guitar.Com © 2008

Comments

[philjay]

1st mmm doom? interesting

[Fi-Fi]

imma check this out

[Fi-Fi]

ok, i checked it, vocally it is awesome but it's still pretty standard BM.
Th fact they're girls makes it more interesting though

[DennisIsAwesome]

I checked it out 2, and its cool!

[nebiru]

I can't believe this is on UG. I thought no one knew about this band.

[jasonkan]

nebiru wrote:

I can't believe this is on UG. I thought no one knew about this band.

haha samee...gallhammer are well crazyy!

[metalb0y]

I haven't even read this interview... Too lazy today Whahah

[trashbeast]

I can't find them on myspace or anything

[adslam3]

mmm not really fan, i just checked out and it was too slow and the songs sounded the same. but in all fairness, i didn't listen to the whole thing. i'm sure there are plenty of people that would like it though

checked.

[DarkValo666]

trashbeast :
I can't find them on myspace or anything

http://www.myspace.com/ghammercrust

Here you are

[trashbeast]

thanks!

[travislausch]

They seem a bit too polite to be a metal band :P

[J.A.M]

nebiru wrote:

I can't believe this is on UG. I thought no one knew about this band.

One of their gigs was reviewed in Kerrang!. 5/5.

[recliner33]

jasonkan wrote:

nebiru wrote:

I can't believe this is on UG. I thought no one knew about this band.

haha samee...gallhammer are well crazyy!

I thought gallhammer is a popular band. I've heard their name like a million times but haven't heard their music yet. I'm a fan of traditional doom metal so they might be right up my alley.

[astroman317x]

nice doooom
sloooow

[Starchild_ex4]

I just checked it out on myspace. I don't get it. These guys (and by guys I mean girls) are like the Air Supply of black metal. They et points for effort.

[Scourge441]

Good stuff, although I wish the vocals were a little clearer. Muddy, mumbly growls=/=good.

Surprised to see no "OMG their soooo hot" comments yet.

[bigtimmy]

Scourge441 wrote:

Good stuff, although I wish the vocals were a little clearer. Muddy, mumbly growls=/=good.

Surprised to see no "OMG their soooo hot" comments yet.

alirightyyyyy....i think that girl would be hot if she dropped the makeup. i'd still bang her tho

[Psychopathology]

Great band, appears they are gaining popularity now.

[The Black Salts]

Japanese people aren't allowed to play music.

[tbarrettl]

nebiru wrote:

I can't believe this is on UG. I thought no one knew about this band.

I thought the same though all well to them.

The Black Salts wrote:

Japanese people aren't allowed to play music.

If you listen to these Chicks and half of Visual Kei bands you will find they are as much easy listening as Rammstein and KMFDM just these are more eastern influenced.

[corybott]

imo, this was some of the worst metal ive ever heard. seems to be 5% effort, 95% black make-up and stupid stage names.

[Sweet-Vengence]

DRACONIAN's vocals,and FOREST OF SHADOWS' guitars destroy these posers.Sweden is the land of insane metal bands(sorry,it's true).

[SovereignDark]

Personally i find there music very repetitive and boring...more so than most black metal bands. And dont get me wrong i love Death/doom/black metal more than anything but this is horrible and i dont see why people in todays metal scene like this.

I think the reason for there popularity is the fact that they are Japanese and they are a all female group that makes them so popular.

I watched one of there Videos off the newer album, i cant even remember the name of the song, but it was bad. They couldnt even headbang in-time to the music.

To every man/woman his own I guess.

But i label this band as Epic Fail.

[-Collapse-]

Wow, I listened to them on myspace.
*Vomit*

Uninspired, Unoriginal, Boring, Talentless.

I hate when bands get promo because they're hot.
I know plenty of unsigned bands who deserve to be on the front of UG.

[pistols]

the music is decent...generic, but decent. the vocals are ****ing terrible though.

[Inspir3d]

i never really thought to check out the BM scene. Definately interested though. might be a good influence. A nice little addition to my daily listens.

[recliner33]

Sweet-Vengence wrote:

DRACONIAN's vocals,and FOREST OF SHADOWS' guitars destroy these posers.Sweden is the land of insane metal bands(sorry,it's true).

Sweden is also a good place to hear more of the retro 70's sounding metal/rock bands like witchcraft, troubled horse, graveyard, burning saviours, dead man, the group delusion, dungen, great mammoth and norrsken.

[jumpmanhat]

im pretty sure they are famous for the same reason as FIITD, they are an all girl band, not that its a bad thing, just sayin.

ive known them for a long time thoe, and saw them in magazines, so i thought everyone knew them, and everyone does know them, some of you seem to think that ppl didnt really know them... well. you aint that gr1m are ya?

[Jau_Peacecraft]

Holy ****, FIITD in ultimate-guitar?

As far as grind core goes, I actually think they are the rare good band you'll find in it.

[kfilly20]

shittiest shit ive ever heard seriously an armless deaf mute could play this shit. i am disgusted that anyone listens to this shit. wow

[Unelite]

I found their sound to be really boring.. nothing against them or anything, It's all opinion based. I'm sure someone out there will like it.

[RGSB]

hahaha, the heading of their myspace page.
"Beauty and Emptiness"

music sucks, stupid ****ing names.

[Nespithe]

-Collapse- wrote:

Wow, I listened to them on myspace.
*Vomit*

Uninspired, Unoriginal, Boring, Talentless.

I hate when bands get promo because they're hot.
I know plenty of unsigned bands who deserve to be on the front of UG.

Haha ****ing poser,go listen to your mainstream emocore.

[Deflection]

Oh my god, is this a joke? Listened to their Myspace, complete rubbish.

[Sublime Stylee]

I listened to a song on youtube... pete wentz probably has more musical ability than them.

boring and cliche, and zero talent

[SovereignDark]

Nespithe wrote:

-Collapse- wrote:

Wow, I listened to them on myspace.
*Vomit*

Uninspired, Unoriginal, Boring, Talentless.

I hate when bands get promo because they're hot.
I know plenty of unsigned bands who deserve to be on the front of UG.


Haha ****ing poser,go listen to your mainstream emocore.

Okay sorry nespithe but what gives away in his post that he even listens to emo music. Nothing thats what. Everything he said in his post was true and if you think Gallhammer is good then you should probibly go listen to some better black metal.

[InsomniaRocks]

poopy music

[kfilly20]

seriously it ruined my day listening to this crap if i could turn back time.....

[UselessHero]

why.
the vocal remember to me the old burzum's sh*t? xDnot a fan but very good imho

[ctb]

pistols wrote:

the music is decent...generic, but decent. the vocals are ****ing terrible though.

I agree.

[lagraine666]

not veryvery good i wish it was better !!!lol

This is never going to get good reviews from users on here because this music is such an acquired taste. Definitely ore for those who appreciated the raw sound of the Hellhammer demos.

They're OK, they're not the kind of band i'd listen to very often though.

[NorfIrIon]

The only really good female metal vocalist I've ever really heard was Angela Gossow, and she's got to be the best.
I was unimpressed, as I usually am by primarily female bands, not to be sexist or anything.

[chylde_of_fire]

If this band were a bunch of blokes I guarantee there would be a whole lot less aimless criticism. But of course, everyone knows girls can't play metal, and any that try are obviously posers and can't be taken seriously!

The fact is this band are bloody great, and are absolutely savage live.

[David_VI]

I saw them live here and only just over 40 people turned up, they're tiny like short! I got to meet them and get a pic taken and i couldn't believe how short those Japanese girls are... they look bigger on stage then come off and are like midgets..

Really cute though..
Really enjoyed them live too, but wouldn't listen to them a lot.

[Lasyk]

oh my ****ing god...i jsut checked these ppl out...THEY SUCK THE FUCKING BALLS WHY ARE THEY EVEN REAL?!!??!

[Nespithe]

SovereignDark wrote:

Nespithe wrote:

-Collapse- wrote:

Wow, I listened to them on myspace.
*Vomit*

Uninspired, Unoriginal, Boring, Talentless.

I hate when bands get promo because they're hot.
I know plenty of unsigned bands who deserve to be on the front of UG.


Haha ****ing poser,go listen to your mainstream emocore.

Okay sorry nespithe but what gives away in his post that he even listens to emo music. Nothing thats what. Everything he said in his post was true and if you think Gallhammer is good then you should probibly go listen to some better black metal.

Actually yes if you look at his favourite bands,complete mallcore shit(Lamb Of God,Slipknot,Killswitch Engage,Stone Sour,COB,Mushroomhead etc. etc.).
What do you classify as "better black metal",craddle of filth?dimmu borgir?? Mayhem?? Nargaroth?Dissection?PM ME

[recliner33]

The music for Gallhammer isn't bad but the vocals are annoying. If the chick actually sang instead of growling and grunting or whatever you want to call it in a low manly voice then this band would be good. They should just focus on doom metal instead of black metal, because it sounds forced when she tries to sing in the black metal style. Also, it would be nice if they got a second guitarist who could solo and do heavy riffing well.

[recliner33]

Also, if you hate the vocals too then check out their song State Of Gloom. It's just an instrumental that sounds like striaght up doom metal. They should do more songs like that.

[bigz6006]

Nespithe wrote:

SovereignDark wrote:

Nespithe wrote:

-Collapse- wrote:

Wow, I listened to them on myspace.
*Vomit*

Uninspired, Unoriginal, Boring, Talentless.

I hate when bands get promo because they're hot.
I know plenty of unsigned bands who deserve to be on the front of UG.


Haha ****ing poser,go listen to your mainstream emocore.

Okay sorry nespithe but what gives away in his post that he even listens to emo music. Nothing thats what. Everything he said in his post was true and if you think Gallhammer is good then you should probibly go listen to some better black metal.
Actually yes if you look at his favourite bands,complete mallcore shit(Lamb Of God,Slipknot,Killswitch Engage,Stone Sour,COB,Mushroomhead etc. etc.).
What do you classify as "better black metal",craddle of filth?dimmu borgir?? Mayhem?? Nargaroth?Dissection?PM ME

Like you are any better, you camo wearing goth poser.

But yes, the band itself is pretty bad, girl's really don't have much a vocal range other then highs.

[paranoid_agent]

ok, most of you seem to be missing the point. Gallhammer aren't really a black metal band at all, only 2 or 3 songs sound vaguely black metal annd not anything like immortal, who I consider to be the archetypal BM band(and gallhammer definitely arent't grindcore ffs).

As for the vocals and lack of solos, the vocals fit the music perfectly. It doesn't matter that the lyrics are unintelligable, the vocals are like another instrument that adds to the music. The whole point of the music is to create a dark atmosphere and the vocals help with that. Anyway, the lyrics are pretty crap (could you write good lyrics in japanese?)

Technicality isn't everything. In slow, brooding music like this shredding would ruin the whole atmosphere of the song. COB + Gallhammer just wouldn't work (I like both of these bands, even if COB are now apparently 'mallcore')

Finally,I have seen them twice and they are better live than on record. They don't do any posing at all on stage, they don't say 'are you ready for some ****ing heavy metal', they don't claim to be satanic, they don't paint swastikas on themselves, they don't ***** themselves to magazines like most female musicians...they just play the music. Whatever you think of that music, noone can say they're posers

[ParkerScks]

bigz6006 :
Nespithe wrote:

SovereignDark wrote:

Nespithe wrote:

-Collapse- wrote:

Wow, I listened to them on myspace.
*Vomit*

Uninspired, Unoriginal, Boring, Talentless.

I hate when bands get promo because they're hot.
I know plenty of unsigned bands who deserve to be on the front of UG.


Haha ****ing poser,go listen to your mainstream emocore.

Okay sorry nespithe but what gives away in his post that he even listens to emo music. Nothing thats what. Everything he said in his post was true and if you think Gallhammer is good then you should probibly go listen to some better black metal.
Actually yes if you look at his favourite bands,complete mallcore shit(Lamb Of God,Slipknot,Killswitch Engage,Stone Sour,COB,Mushroomhead etc. etc.).
What do you classify as "better black metal",craddle of filth?dimmu borgir?? Mayhem?? Nargaroth?Dissection?PM ME


Like you are any better, you camo wearing goth poser.

But yes, the band itself is pretty bad, girl's really don't have much a vocal range other then highs.

ok lets get one thing straight, lamb of god are not "mallcore" and if you think this you need disgarding from the metal scene and shooting, simple fact is that every kinde of music needs a band to carry the flag and keep it alive, who else is gunna do it? ****in black metal posers? if ANYONE is a poser its black metal crap mummas boys smeering them selfs in fake blood and acually the only FAKES are them for making the steriotype of heavy metal more true every day buy existing, so my advice to you shut the **** up get a clue about real metal or just stop trinna fit in. u dont have to like bands but respect is everything, with out bands like lamb of god slipknot etc albums would not sell lables would not sighn bands and then metal would be gone.

[Riffmast]

lamb of God is the meaning of mallcore.Shitty recycled testaments riffs and lame pantera tough attitudes together make for the worst possible band in history.Gallhammer are excellent in the fact that their doing something completely different,the mixture of black metal.doom metal,crust,death metal and even some really odd things i can't put my finger on.Their music is not for metal posers who are looking for easy listening flashy shit.This is music for the sake of the atmosphere.You can tell Vivian knows allot more about making good metal then you people.

Also metal has been fine for many years without shitty mainstream metal bands.Metal will never be gone,it would just stay underground and be out of the reach of all you posers if we could get slipknot records to stop selling.

[Rizzo228]

actally the best and the beast from the east is my math teacher lol

[Mcfraggins]

balogna, you want atmosphere, listen to primordial...

Riffmast wrote:

lamb of God is the meaning of mallcore.Shitty recycled testaments riffs and lame pantera tough attitudes together make for the worst possible band in history.Gallhammer are excellent in the fact that their doing something completely different,the mixture of black metal.doom metal,crust,death metal and even some really odd things i can't put my finger on.Their music is not for metal posers who are looking for easy listening flashy shit.This is music for the sake of the atmosphere.You can tell Vivian knows allot more about making good metal then you people.

Also metal has been fine for many years without shitty mainstream metal bands.Metal will never be gone,it would just stay underground and be out of the reach of all you posers if we could get slipknot records to stop selling.

[Riffmast]

Completely different kind of atmosphere.Primordial is great but thats a completely different ball game.

[webbtje]

Riffmast wrote:

lamb of God is the meaning of mallcore.Shitty recycled testaments riffs and lame pantera tough attitudes together make for the worst possible band in history.Gallhammer are excellent in the fact that their doing something completely different,the mixture of black metal.doom metal,crust,death metal and even some really odd things i can't put my finger on.Their music is not for metal posers who are looking for easy listening flashy shit.This is music for the sake of the atmosphere.You can tell Vivian knows allot more about making good metal then you people.

Also metal has been fine for many years without shitty mainstream metal bands.Metal will never be gone,it would just stay underground and be out of the reach of all you posers if we could get slipknot records to stop selling.

Take a look at my favourite bands. Do I listen to 'poser' music? By your criterion, that entitles me to a respectable opinion, and here it is:

Gallhammer are mediocre at best.

By the way, stop being such an elitist twat.

[STABxYOU]

Gallhammer

[STABxYOU]

Hahah, it cut off my message. Much love for Gallhammer.

[Riffmast]

Regardless of what music you listen to your opinion is equally valid.I would prefer that metal be kept pure and the mainstream kept away so that the whole scene doesn't deteriorate.Gallhammers multiple influences and brooding atmosphere is obviously something someone with so little insight in metal could understand but thats understandible.Give them another try in a few years once you've really gotten into extreme metal and you'll have a better understanding of the beauty of their music.

[xCoilx]

ParkerScks wrote:

bigz6006 :
Nespithe wrote:

SovereignDark wrote:

Nespithe wrote:

-Collapse- wrote:

Wow, I listened to them on myspace.
*Vomit*

Uninspired, Unoriginal, Boring, Talentless.

I hate when bands get promo because they're hot.
I know plenty of unsigned bands who deserve to be on the front of UG.


Haha ****ing poser,go listen to your mainstream emocore.

Okay sorry nespithe but what gives away in his post that he even listens to emo music. Nothing thats what. Everything he said in his post was true and if you think Gallhammer is good then you should probibly go listen to some better black metal.
Actually yes if you look at his favourite bands,complete mallcore shit(Lamb Of God,Slipknot,Killswitch Engage,Stone Sour,COB,Mushroomhead etc. etc.).
What do you classify as "better black metal",craddle of filth?dimmu borgir?? Mayhem?? Nargaroth?Dissection?PM ME


Like you are any better, you camo wearing goth poser.

But yes, the band itself is pretty bad, girl's really don't have much a vocal range other then highs.



ok lets get one thing straight, lamb of god are not "mallcore" and if you think this you need disgarding from the metal scene and shooting, simple fact is that every kinde of music needs a band to carry the flag and keep it alive, who else is gunna do it? ****in black metal posers? if ANYONE is a poser its black metal crap mummas boys smeering them selfs in fake blood and acually the only FAKES are them for making the steriotype of heavy metal more true every day buy existing, so my advice to you shut the **** up get a clue about real metal or just stop trinna fit in. u dont have to like bands but respect is everything, with out bands like lamb of god slipknot etc albums would not sell lables would not sighn bands and then metal would be gone.

shut up you twats.

this band isnt half bad

[letyoudown5]

this band's seriously good
i mean .. REALLY . go check it out

[Al soulfracture]

My friends band played a show with them in the Uk, apparently they were awful!