Gallhammer

Gallhammer is a Japanese raw black metal band from Tokyo formed in 2003. Notably, all of its members are female, which is a rare occasion in a the black metal genre.

Biography
Gallhammer was formed in Tokyo, Japan in 2003. The original idea of the band was formed in 2002, following bassist/vocalist Vivian Slaughter's desire to create a band that based itself around the dark and morbid musical atmospheres of the seminal Swiss black metal band, Hellhammer. The other members, Risa Reaper (drums/vocals) and Mika Penetrator (guitar/vocals), joined in 2003. When the band started out, none of the members had even learnt how to play their instruments, as they had all previously been vocalists.

Their first recording, in the form of a free demo tape that was limited to 30 copies, was distributed at their first gig at Koiwa Death Fest Vol.2, around March 2003, in Japan. In July of the same year, the self-titled demo album was released. By April of the following year, they had released another demo album, entitled "Endless Nauseous Days", and were working towards their debut full-length CD. The anticipated new 8-track album, entitled "Gloomy Lights", was released on November 11th 2004 through Hello From The Gutter Records.

In January of 2006, Gallhammer was signed to Peaceville Records, and a CD/DVD pack, entitled "The Dawn Of...", was released, containing a CD, demo & rehearsal footage, and a DVD recording of Gallhammer performing in Okayama and 5 concerts in Tokyo.

The band's main musical influences include Hellhammer and Amebix.

Gallhammer are due to release another full-length album through Peaceville Records by mid-2007, which will be followed by a European Tour.

Present

 * Vivian Slaughter - Bass/Vocals
 * Mika Penetrator - Guitar/Vocals
 * Risa Reaper - Drums/Vocals

Studio albums

 * 2004 - Gloomy Lights

Live & other albums

 * 2003 - (Untitled)" (Demo tape, limited to 30 copies)
 * 2003 - Gallhammer (Demo mini-album)
 * 2004 - Endless Nauseous Days (Demo mini-album)

DVDs

 * 2006 - "The Dawn Of..."

External link

 * Gallhammer Official Website
 * Gallhammer Official Myspace
 * Gallhammer at Metal Archives
 * Gallhammer's Blog (in Japanese only)
 * Peaceville Records Official Website