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Key Information
Syu (Japanese: シュウ, Hepburn: Shū) is a Japanese musician, best known as the leader and guitarist of the power metal band Galneryus. He also performs guitar and lead vocals in Spinalcord (formerly known as Aushvitz) and was formerly a member of Animetal. Under his own name, Syu has released one studio album, one cover album and one instrumental album, each featuring collaborations with many guest musicians. He was voted as the Best Guitarist in online music magazine Beeast's music awards for four years in a row, from 2015 to 2018.[1][2][3][4] His work on Galneryus' song "Emotions" was named the 73rd best guitar instrumental by Young Guitar Magazine in 2019.[5]
Early life
[edit]With parents who played the piano, Syu started playing the instrument at the age of four, but soon stopped.[6][7] He then started playing the violin at age six, and continued to do so until he was 12 or 13 years old.[6] In fourth grade of elementary school, he discovered X Japan and dove into rock music.[7] With Yoshiki his favorite member, Syu started to play drums alongside violin.[7] He played the drums in a band called Cross-Large, but could not find good musicians to play with.[6] He switched to guitar after finding it easier because guitar and violin are relatively similar.[7] He also said he could better express himself through guitar than through drums.[6]
Career
[edit]Syu joined the visual kei 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, 2002. When Valkyr broke up, Syu formed the bands Galneryus and Aushvitz with its remaining members.[6]
While at a live house in Kujō, Osaka, Syu heard fellow Kansai-native Yama-B on the radio and knew that he wanted to work with him.[6] Galneryus formed in 2001 with only Syu and Yama-B as official members. Valkyr keyboardist A was one of their support musicians. In 2002, they signed to VAP and began work on their first full-length album titled The Flag of Punishment. In 2008 they released their fifth album Reincarnation, which became their last with Yama-B as he left amicably due to musical differences. Yama-B was replaced by Masatoshi "Sho" Ono and in 2010 Galneryus released their sixth full-length album, aptly titled Resurrection.
Visual kei band Aushvitz was formed in 2002 with Syu on guitar and vocals and his Valkyr bandmate Kyoichi on bass. They released their first single, "Akarui" (赤涙), in September of that year. It is with Aushvitz that Syu was free to do what he wanted to musically, and they had a theme of "violence, hardness, and extreme sorrow".[6] He chose the name Aushvitz, a reference to the Auschwitz concentration camp, with the "hope it won't happen again" and wanting to "express my heart-rending feelings" and the members wore prison uniforms.[6] In 2006, Galneryus drummer Jun-ichi joined. Although Syu announced in June 2006 that they would be changing their name with their next release,[6] it was not until 2008 that the new name, Spinalcord, was unveiled and the single, "The Spinalcord", was released. They released their first album, Remember Me'Til Your Dying Day, on September 23, 2009. When asked about the future of Spinalcord in 2017, Syu expressed dissatisfaction with his vocals at the time, but said if he could achieve a quality of singing that would allow him to perform for an audience, he would like to.[8]
In 2003, Syu joined the Eizo Sakamoto-led Animetal as their new guitarist and moved from Osaka to Tokyo.[7] He joined at the suggestion of producer Yorimasa Hisatake.[6] He recorded four albums with them before they went on indefinite hiatus in 2006.
On September 29, 2010, Syu released a cover album on HPQ titled Crying Stars -Stand Proud!-, covering songs from the 1980s and 1990s by Racer X, Yngwie Malmsteen, Arch Enemy and more.[9] It features many guests including his Galneryus and Spinalcord bandmates, Eizo Sakamoto, and other well-known musicians like Panther. In 2014 Syu composed the music for "Biran no Kaze" (毘藍ノ風), which Ryuji Aoki sang as the opening theme song for the anime adaptation of Laughing Under the Clouds.[10]
Syu contributed significantly to the first solo album by Rami, 2016's Aspiration.[11] Vap released Syu's instrumental solo album You Play Hard on November 9, 2016. It features Katsuji (Animetal, Gargoyle) and Yasuhiro Mizuno (Saber Tiger) in addition to Galneryus members.[12] Syu's album Vorvados was released on January 23, 2019, by Warner Music Japan. It features collaborations with guest vocalists such as Fuki (Unlucky Morpheus), Sono (Matenrou Opera) and Dancho (Nogod), and English musician Jacky Vincent.[13] In 2020, Syu was one of many metal musicians from around the world who contributed to a cover of Deep Purple's "Burn" for the Metal For Kids United charity organization.[14]
Style and influences
[edit]Syu has said that "all progressive- and symphonic metal guitarists have influenced my work" and that he has too many guitar influences to list.[6][15] Some he has named include Ulrich Roth, Michael Schenker, Yngwie Malmsteen, Paul Gilbert, John Petrucci,[6] and Gary Moore.[15] He has also stated that hide and X influenced him greatly, and that he really liked Luna Sea "in their prime".[6][15][16] Lovebites guitarist Midori has cited Syu as one of her guitar influences and said he has a uniquely Japanese style of playing.[17]
When composing music and trying to decide which of his projects the song will go to, Syu said he imagines the vocalist's voice and whether or not it matches the song.[6] Syu stated that a song must still be good even when stripped down to just vocals and piano.[18] The guitarist has also said that while he wants to stand out, the vocalist should stand out the most.[6]
Equipment
[edit]Syu has a signature series of guitars available from ESP Guitars.[19]
Discography
[edit]Solo
[edit]- Crying Stars -Stand Proud!- (September 29, 2010, cover album), Oricon Albums Chart Peak Position: No. 91[20]
- You Play Hard (November 9, 2016, instrumental album) No. 43[20]
- Vorvados (January 23, 2019) No. 24[20]
With Spinalcord
[edit]- Remember Me 'til Your Dying Day (2009)
With Animetal
[edit]- Animetal Marathon V (2003)
- Animetal Marathon VI (2004)
- Animetal Marathon VII (2005)
- Decade of Bravehearts (2006)
References
[edit]- ^ BEEAST MUSIC AWARD 2015 結果発表. Beeast (in Japanese). Retrieved 2021-06-11.
- ^ BEEAST MUSIC AWARD 2016 結果発表. Beeast (in Japanese). Retrieved 2021-06-11.
- ^ BEEAST MUSIC AWARD 2017 結果発表. Beeast (in Japanese). Retrieved 2021-06-11.
- ^ BEEAST MUSIC AWARD 2018 結果発表. Beeast (in Japanese). Retrieved 2021-06-11.
- ^ ヤング・ギター厳選『ギター・インストの殿堂100』名演ランキング. Young Guitar Magazine (in Japanese). 2019-06-11. Retrieved 2020-12-29.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o "Exclusive interview with Syu". jame-world.com. 2006-12-15. Retrieved 2020-12-29.
- ^ a b c d e "MI JAPAN NEWS LIFERS PROFILE". Musicians Institute Japan (in Japanese). Archived from the original on 2014-07-02. Retrieved 2020-12-29.
- ^ "Interview with GALNERYUS at Pure Rock Japan". jame-world.com. 2017-07-19. Retrieved 2020-01-01.
- ^ "【動画】Syuの新作『CRYING STARS -STAND PROUD!-』動画メッセージ". Guitar Magazine (in Japanese). 2010-11-09. Archived from the original on 2019-08-28. Retrieved 2020-12-29.
- ^ "青木隆治、Syu作曲の「曇天に笑う」新旧OPが両A面シングルに". Natalie (in Japanese). 2014-11-25. Retrieved 2020-12-29.
- ^ "RAMI - Aspiration". jame-world.com. Retrieved 2018-11-29.
- ^ "YOU PLAY HARD／SYU". Young Guitar Magazine (in Japanese). 2016-12-21. Retrieved 2020-12-29.
- ^ "GALNERYUSのSYUがソロアルバム発売、ゲストボーカルにFukiや摩天楼オペラ・苑". Natalie (in Japanese). 2019-01-23. Retrieved 2020-12-29.
- ^ "MEGADETH, ANTHRAX Members Guest On 'Metal For Kids United's Cover Of DEEP PURPLE's 'Burn'". Blabbermouth. 2020-10-05. Retrieved 2020-12-29.
- ^ a b c "Galneryus im Ohanami Interview & #Fanfaces!". Ohanami.de. 2014-07-16. Retrieved 2020-12-29.
- ^ "hide Memorial Part Two". jame-world.com. Retrieved 2012-07-25.
- ^ "激情★めたりっちぇ 激ロック インタビュー". Geki-Rock (in Japanese). 2015-05-10. Retrieved 2020-12-29.
- ^ "GALNERYUSが究める、ヘヴィメタル×ポップスの融合「最新作が最強というバンドでありたい」". Real Sound (in Japanese). 2019-10-23. Retrieved 2021-01-01.
- ^ "ESP | ARTIST CUSTOM GUITARS | SYU". ESP Guitars. Retrieved 2019-02-03.
- ^ a b c "Syuのアルバム売り上げランキング". Oricon (in Japanese). Retrieved 2021-02-05.
External links
[edit]
from Grokipedia
Early life
Childhood and family background
Shusuke Ueda, professionally known as Syu, was born on September 23, 1980, in Ashiya, Hyōgo Prefecture, within Japan's Kansai region.[1] Syu spent his early childhood in the Kansai area, attending elementary school near cities like Osaka and Kobe. As a young child, he received early exposure to instruments such as the violin and piano, influenced by his family's involvement in music. His parents both played piano, and he briefly experimented with the piano before starting violin lessons at the age of six.[7]Initial musical training and influences
Syu began his musical journey in the classical tradition. He continued with the violin intensively until around age 12 or 13.[8] During his elementary school years in the Kansai region, Syu discovered a passion for percussion instruments. In the fourth grade, at approximately nine or ten years old, he became enamored with drums, influenced by Yoshiki of X Japan, and incorporated them into his practice alongside violin. He played drums in an early band called Cross-Large.[1] At age ten, exposure to rock and metal music prompted Syu to switch to electric guitar, finding the transition facilitated by similarities between violin and guitar techniques, such as finger positioning. He played drums in Cross-Large but switched to guitar due to a lack of suitable guitarists in the band, finding it easier to play and better for conveying messages. Largely self-taught on guitar, he developed early practice routines in the 1990s Japanese music scene, focusing on replicating sounds from recordings through dedicated home sessions without formal instruction. This self-directed approach laid the groundwork for his rapid progression in rock instrumentation.[3][1][8]Career
Early bands and breakthrough
Syu began his professional music career in the late 1990s by joining the visual kei band Valkyr as guitarist in 1998.[9] The band had formed the previous year in Nishinomiya, Hyogo Prefecture, near Osaka, and operated in the heavy/power metal genre while incorporating visual kei aesthetics.[9] Drawing from the visual kei movement, Valkyr was influenced by seminal acts like X Japan, whose drummer Yoshiki had sparked Syu's initial passion for music during his elementary school years.[10][1] As Valkyr's guitarist, Syu applied his self-taught skills—honed after switching from drums to guitar in high school—to contribute to the band's sound through original material.[1] The group remained active until 2002, conducting local performances in the Kansai region, including documented shows in 1998, 1999, 2000, and 2001.[11] These gigs, centered in the Osaka area, allowed Syu to immerse himself in Japan's underground metal scene.[9] During the transition period of 2000–2001, Valkyr released demo tapes that circulated within the local community, helping to build Syu's visibility among musicians and fans.[11] This growing recognition from early gigs and demos marked his breakthrough, establishing connections in the Osaka and Kyoto metal underground that positioned him for expanded opportunities beyond visual kei.[10]Galneryus
Syu founded Galneryus in 2001 in the Kansai region of Japan as the band's leader and guitarist, initially recruiting vocalist Masahiro "Yama-B" Imazato along with other members to establish a power metal outfit influenced by neoclassical elements.[4] The band began with independent activities, releasing their debut single "Rebel Flag" in 2002 before achieving a major label debut with the album The Flag of Punishment in 2003 under VAP.[4] Throughout Galneryus's history, Syu has served as the primary composer, responsible for the majority of the band's music and arrangements that incorporate intricate neoclassical motifs alongside heavy riffs and melodic structures.[12] He also handled production and mixing duties on early albums, though recent releases have seen shifts to external engineers like Chifumi for mixing.[4] The band underwent significant lineup changes, including the departure of Yama-B in 2008 and the recruitment of vocalist Masatoshi "Sho" Ono in 2009, alongside bassist Taka replacing Yu-To, which marked a new era beginning with the 2010 album Resurrection.[4] Keyboardist Yuhki joined in 2003, providing stable continuity, while drummer Lea was added in 2020.[4] Galneryus achieved key milestones under Syu's leadership, including their first international tours in the 2010s, such as a 2014 European run across Germany, France, and Spain, followed by Asia tours in 2015 and a Mexico appearance in 2016.[4] These efforts expanded the band's global reach, with performances at events like Ozzfest Japan in 2013. Syu's technical prowess earned him recognition as Best Guitarist in Beeast magazine's awards from 2015 to 2018.[13] In recent years, Galneryus celebrated their 20th anniversary with the 2023 album Between Dread and Valor and continued momentum into 2024 with the release of The Stars Will Light the Way on September 25 via Warner Music Japan.[14] The band undertook the "The Rising of the New Legacy" tours in 2024, including Part II, culminating in a December 22 Tokyo concert captured for a live release on June 4, 2025, featuring 2 Blu-ray/DVDs and 2 CDs.[14] Further tours followed, such as the "The Legend Rises to the Future" China tour from November 8 to 16, 2025, across six cities.[14] Looking ahead, Syu and the band have scheduled South American dates for 2026, including shows in Chile on February 13 and Mexico on February 15.[14] Syu's integration of thrash influences into the band's power metal foundation has sustained its evolution and enduring appeal.[4]Spinalcord
Spinalcord originated in 2002 as the visual kei band Aushvitz, co-founded by Syu alongside members including bassist Kyoichi from the earlier group Valkyr, with Syu serving as guitarist and lead vocalist from the outset.[15] The band underwent a stylistic shift away from visual kei elements during a hiatus, renaming to Spinalcord in 2008 to reflect a more straightforward heavy metal identity.[16] In this secondary project, Syu embraced a dual role that allowed him to explore aggressive songwriting and performance distinct from his leadership in Galneryus.[3] The band's sound emphasized thrash metal aggression, blending power metal speed with raw, psychological themes of pain and misery inherited from its Aushvitz roots.[5] A pivotal release was the 2009 debut album Remember Me 'til Your Dying Day, which showcased Syu's compositions integrating rapid riffs, melodic hooks, and his prominent vocal delivery over intense rhythms.[17] This album marked a consolidation of the thrash-oriented direction, prioritizing high-energy tracks that highlighted Syu's ability to balance shredding guitar work with commanding vocals.[18] Spinalcord's live performances centered on tours across Japan, building a dedicated underground following through club shows and festival appearances in Osaka and Tokyo.[19] The lineup featured collaborations with musicians from Japan's metal scene, including drummer Jun-ichi (formerly of Galneryus), which added layers of familiarity and synergy to their sets.[16] These efforts underscored the band's role as a platform for Syu to experiment with visceral, crowd-engaging energy in intimate venues. The band's evolution demonstrated lineup stability around Syu's core contributions, with minimal changes post-rename allowing consistent output until a hiatus in 2011.[5] The band went on hiatus after the 2011 album, with no further releases or major activities as of 2025.[20] This project represented a deliberate balancing act with his Galneryus schedule, enabling Syu to channel thrash influences without overshadowing his primary neoclassical focus.[20]Animetal and side projects
In 2003, Syu joined the Japanese heavy metal band Animetal as their lead guitarist, replacing She-Ja and relocating from Osaka to Tokyo to participate full-time.[3] The band, fronted by vocalist Eizo Sakamoto, specialized in high-speed metal covers of anime and tokusatsu theme songs, blending neoclassical shredding with theatrical elements. Syu contributed guitar arrangements and performances to several releases during his tenure, which lasted until the group's indefinite hiatus in 2006, as members pursued other band commitments.[21] Syu's work with Animetal included key albums in the band's signature marathon-style series, where extended medleys showcased rapid-fire interpretations of anime soundtracks. He arranged and recorded guitar parts for Animetal Marathon V (2003), Animetal Marathon VISolo career and recent developments
Syu launched his solo career in 2010 with the release of the cover album Crying Stars - Stand Proud! on September 29, which featured his interpretations of iconic metal tracks from artists including Scorpions, Stratovarius, Yngwie Malmsteen, and Skid Row.[29] This project marked a shift toward independent artistic exploration, allowing Syu to blend power metal, neoclassical elements, and hard rock influences in a format emphasizing his guitar virtuosity and personal compositional voice, free from band dynamics.[30] Building on this foundation, subsequent solo efforts like the instrumental album You Play Hard (2016) and Vorvados (2019) continued to showcase his technical prowess and genre fusion, incorporating guest musicians to expand sonic textures. Key milestones in Syu's solo recognition include the 2019 ranking of his guitar instrumental "Emotions"—originally from Galneryus but emblematic of his style— as the 73rd best Japanese guitar instrumental by Young Guitar magazine, highlighting his enduring impact on the scene.[31] In recent years, Syu has engaged in non-band activities such as product demonstrations, notably performing with Universal Audio's UAFX amp pedals at the Tokyo Musical Instrument Expo on November 1–2, 2025, where he showcased their versatility.[32] These appearances underscore his role as an endorser and innovator in guitar technology. Recent developments reflect evolving production approaches in Syu's broader work, including his hands-on engineering and mastering for Galneryus' 2024 album The Stars Will Light the Way, produced with mixing by Chifumi Karasawa—a shift toward refined, band-led sonic control.[33] Looking ahead, Syu has emphasized greater creative autonomy in teased endeavors beyond Galneryus' 2025 "THE LEGEND RISES TO THE FUTURE" tour, which spans 11 Japanese cities starting in June, signaling potential new solo or collaborative ventures.[34]Musical style and influences
Signature techniques and genre contributions
Syu's mastery of neo-classical shredding stands as a cornerstone of his playing style, particularly within power metal contexts, where he employs sweep picking for fluid arpeggios and alternate picking for rapid, precise runs, often drawing on harmonic minor scales to infuse solos with dramatic tension and melodic flair.[35] His approach integrates these techniques seamlessly into high-tempo compositions, emphasizing technical virtuosity that aligns with the genre's demand for speed and expression. In terms of genre contributions, Syu has advanced Japanese heavy metal by blending symphonic elements—rooted in classical-inspired melodies—with thrash-like velocity, creating a hybrid sound that expands power metal's orchestral scope while maintaining aggressive drive. This fusion, evident across his work, has helped solidify neo-classical power metal as a prominent subgenre in Japan, influencing subsequent acts to incorporate elaborate, speed-oriented guitar work.[36] Syu's vocal-guitar duality is particularly notable in Spinalcord, where he performs both lead vocals and guitar, enabling dynamic multi-instrumental metal performances that prioritize seamless transitions between singing and shredding.[31] This versatility has inspired broader adoption of multi-role musicianship in Japanese metal ensembles, showcasing the feasibility of combining vocal expression with instrumental prowess in live settings. His technical innovations and impact have earned widespread acclaim, including multiple Best Guitarist awards from Beeast magazine, with consistent top rankings in Japanese polls from 2015 to 2018 highlighting his influence on the local scene.[31] This influence continues in recent releases, such as Galneryus's 2024 album The Stars Will Light the Way.Key artistic influences
Syu's primary artistic influences include guitarists renowned for their technical virtuosity and compositional depth, notably Yngwie Malmsteen and John Petrucci of Dream Theater. Malmsteen's neo-classical style, characterized by rapid scalar runs and harmonic minor phrasing, profoundly shaped Syu's approach to speed and melodic intricacy in metal guitar playing.[20] Petrucci's progressive elements, emphasizing complex time signatures and layered arrangements, contributed to Syu's integration of sophisticated structures in his riffing and solos.[20] Japanese visual kei bands from the 1990s also played a pivotal role in Syu's early development. X Japan inspired him to pick up the guitar, with their blend of dramatic orchestration and heavy riffs igniting his initial passion for rock music.[20] Luna Sea, during their peak era, further influenced his appreciation for emotive, theatrical metal aesthetics. Broader thrash metal influences informed his rhythmic aggression and high-energy dynamics, particularly evident in his thrash-oriented projects. Syu's tastes evolved from a fandom of 1990s visual kei toward a deeper engagement with 2000s symphonic and power metal. This shift is reflected in his embrace of European bands like Helloween, Stratovarius, Gamma Ray, and Rhapsody, which introduced symphonic orchestration and epic songwriting to his palette.[20][37] These influences manifest distinctly in Syu's compositions for Galneryus, where neo-classical speed and progressive complexity fuse with symphonic power metal elements to create layered, anthemic tracks.[4] In his solo work, such as the album Vorvados, he channels these inspirations into neoclassical shredding and melodic explorations, blending visual kei's emotional intensity with thrash's drive.[38] His early violin training briefly aided this integration by facilitating classical phrasing in metal contexts.[3]Equipment
Guitars and signature models
Syu has maintained a long-term endorsement and custom guitar partnership with ESP Guitars since the early 2000s, coinciding with the formation of his band Galneryus in 2001. This collaboration has resulted in a dedicated lineup of custom instruments tailored to his neoclassical metal style, emphasizing playability for fast runs and high-gain tones.[39][40] His signature series primarily revolves around the ESP CRYING STAR line, introduced in the mid-2000s, which combines elements of traditional Explorer and Flying V shapes for enhanced ergonomics during extended performances. Key features across these models include alder or mahogany bodies for balanced resonance, hard maple necks for stability, rosewood or ebony fingerboards with 24 to 27 frets (often scalloped in higher registers), and Floyd Rose locking tremolo systems to support dive bombs and precise tuning retention. Pickups vary but commonly feature high-output humbuckers such as EMG 81/85 or Seymour Duncan TB-4 for aggressive distortion, with some variations incorporating active electronics for tonal versatility.[40] Notable models in Syu's collection include the ESP M-SEVEN Syu Custom, a 7-string guitar with a 666mm scale length, alder body, ebony fingerboard, and Seymour Duncan SH-1n-7 neck/SH-5-7 bridge pickups, designed for lower tunings in Galneryus tours. The ESP CRYING STAR-REBEL, a limited-edition variant from the 2010s, uses an alder body, EMG SAV neck/89 bridge pickups, and a Tune-O-Matic bridge for a more vintage feel while retaining modern scalloping. His arsenal comprises over 20 custom guitars, including Edwards sub-brand models like the E-EX-138E from his early career, with several limited editions produced in the 2010s to commemorate band milestones. These instruments have been adapted for his solo recordings, prioritizing sustain and clarity in neoclassical phrasing.[40] In the 2020s, ESP released the SNAPPER-7 SYU Custom (SYUNAPPER-7) as Syu's latest 7-string signature model, featuring an alder body, maple neck and fingerboard, 25.5-inch scale, and Seymour Duncan Nazgul/Sentient pickups for enhanced high-gain response and clarity in complex arrangements. This model reflects ongoing refinements in his setup, incorporating modern components like the Flicker-III bridge for improved tuning stability without locking tuners.[41][42]Amplifiers, effects, and other gear
Syu has primarily relied on Marshall amplification for achieving high-gain tones throughout much of his career, particularly the JMP-1 preamp integrated into his rack setups for its versatile emulation of JCM800 characteristics.[43] In live and studio contexts, he has also favored tube heads like the Hughes & Kettner TriAmp and CoreBlade during the early 2000s for their multi-channel flexibility in power metal applications.[35] Diezel Hagen and D-Moll heads became staples starting from the 2010s album Angel of Salvation (2012), offering MIDI-controllable switching for precise channel and effects management in performances.[35] As of January 2023, Syu primarily uses Synergy Amps modular preamp system, allowing interchangeable tube modules for tones modeled after classics like Friedman and Soldano, paired with power amps such as VHT 2902.[2] These amps provide the clarity and sustain essential for his neoclassical leads.[35] For effects processing, Syu employs a chain centered on Boss and TC Electronic pedals to handle delay and reverb, enhancing spatial depth in his solos. Boss units such as the SD-1 Super Overdrive and Waza Craft variants serve as boosters to tighten midrange response when paired with high-gain amps, while the DD-500 digital delay adds modulated echoes for live versatility.[42] TC Electronic contributions include the G-Major rack unit in his effects loop for multi-delay and reverb processing, alongside the Spark Booster for clean boosts that maintain articulation in fast runs.[43] He has tested Boss GT-10 multi-effects processors in clinic demos, appreciating their COSM modeling for quick preset changes during rehearsals.[42] Beyond pedals, Syu utilizes custom rack systems for touring reliability, incorporating components like the VHT cabinet simulator and ISP Decimator noise gates to manage signal integrity in large venues.[43] In 2018, he adopted the Headrush Pedalboard as a compact all-in-one solution, blending amp modeling with effects for streamlined setups on side projects.[42] Syu's gear preferences have evolved from predominantly analog tube amplification in the 2000s—exemplified by Hughes & Kettner heads—to incorporating digital hybrids in the 2020s, such as Positive Grid's BIAS AMP software for emulating Fender and Marshall tones with reduced maintenance demands.[42] This shift prioritizes portability and consistency across global tours while preserving the organic response of his core tube rigs.[35]Discography
Solo releases
Syu's solo discography consists primarily of three studio albums, each self-composed and produced to highlight his neoclassical power metal style with a focus on personal reflection and emotional expression, diverging from the high-energy aggression of his band projects. His debut release, the cover album Crying Stars -Stand Proud!, came out on September 29, 2010, via VAP. It reinterprets classic heavy metal songs from artists including Scorpions ("Still Loving You"), Yngwie Malmsteen ("Far Beyond the Sun"), and Stratovarius ("Hunting High and Low"), featuring guest contributions from Galneryus members and vocalists like Takenori Shimoyama of Double Dealer. The album peaked at No. 91 on the Oricon Albums Chart.| Album Title | Release Date | Label | Format | Peak Oricon Position | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crying Stars -Stand Proud!- | September 29, 2010 | VAP | CD | #91 | Cover album of metal classics with guest vocalists and musicians. |
| You Play Hard | November 9, 2016 | VAP | CD | #43 | Instrumental album emphasizing guitar techniques and neoclassical riffs. |
| Vorvados | January 23, 2019 | Warner Music Japan | CD | #24 | Hybrid vocal-instrumental release with guest singers, centered on introspective themes. |
With Galneryus
Syu has been the founding leader and primary guitarist of the Japanese power metal band Galneryus since its inception in 2001, contributing as the main composer for the majority of the band's tracks across their discography.[4] His compositions often incorporate neo-classical elements, blending intricate guitar work with symphonic arrangements to define the band's sound.[47] Galneryus' releases, under Syu's guidance, have achieved consistent commercial success in Japan, with several albums peaking in the top 20 on the Oricon weekly charts, including Angel of Salvation at No. 17 and Ultimate Sacrifice at No. 13.[48] The band's studio discography reflects Syu's evolution as a composer, starting with their debut and progressing through concept-driven works in the 2020s. Key albums include:- The Flag of Punishment (2003): Galneryus' debut full-length, featuring Syu's compositions like "Struggle for the Freedom Flag" and establishing the band's neoclassical power metal style; peaked at No. 161 on Oricon weekly.[49][50]
- Advance to the Fall (2005): Syu composed core tracks such as "Silent Tears," showcasing matured songwriting; reached No. 86 on Oricon.[51][50]
- Ultimate Sacrifice (2017): A concept album with Syu handling most compositions, including the epic title track; debuted at No. 13 on Oricon weekly, the band's highest charting at the time.[48][52]
- The Stars Will Light the Way (2024): Syu's latest studio effort as composer, featuring tracks like "In Water's Gaze" with orchestral flourishes; peaked at No. 25 on Oricon weekly.[53]