Gallhammer

ByLets Go Punk
Gallhammer was a Japanese extreme metal band blending black metal

Gallhammer was a Japanese extreme metal band that blended elements of blackened crust, black metal, doom metal, and crust punk. Formed in Tokyo in 2003, they gained attention in the global metal scene and released three full-length studio albums before disbanding. Their final lineup featured Vivian Slaughter on vocals and bass, and Risa Reaper on vocals and drums. Originally, the band also included Mika Penetrator on guitar.

Biography

Their first recording, a limited free demo tape, was distributed at their debut gig at Koiwa Death Fest Vol.2 in March 2003. By July of the same year, they released their self-titled demo. In April 2004, Gallhammer released another demo titled Endless Nauseous Days before working on their first full-length album. Their debut album, Gloomy Lights, was released in November 2004 via Hello From The Gutter Records.

In January 2006, Gallhammer was signed to Peaceville Records after being recommended by Darkthrone. They released a CD/DVD pack titled The Dawn of…, which included a CD with demos and rehearsal recordings, plus a DVD of live performances in Okayama and Tokyo.

In September 2007, Gallhammer released their second album, Ill Innocence, through Peaceville Records and followed it with a European tour. In 2008, they toured Europe again and performed at the Inferno Metal Festival. Their third album, The End, was released in 2011 as a bass-drum duo, after the departure of guitarist Mika Penetrator.

The band also appeared in Nocturno Culto’s film The Misanthrope: The Existence of Solitude and Chaos.

Influences

Vivian Slaughter cited bands such as Hellhammer, Celtic Frost, Amebix, and Burzum as major influences. She also mentioned a passion for Judas Priest and has expressed admiration for the doom metal band Corrupted. Slaughter began playing music after seeing Napalm Death and Painkiller in concert.

Drummer Risa Reaper was influenced by old-school techno, krautrock, Kraftwerk, and Laibach. The band also took inspiration from bands like Joy Division, Antisect, Carcass, and Morbid Angel. While the group had connections to the crust punk scene, they did not adhere to a specific political ideology.

Members

Current

  • Vivian Slaughter – lead vocals, bass
  • Risa Reaper – drums, backing vocals

Former

  • Mika Penetrator – guitars, backing vocals (2003–2010)

Discography

  • Gloomy Lights (2003)
  • Ill Innocence (2007)
  • The End (2011)

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