Originally formed in Tokyo in 2017 by guitarist Takuma and vocalist Chihiro, FATHOMLESS SKYWALKER released their debut EP the following year. After that promising start, the band seemed to lose momentum and in the intervening years have dropped a few singles in piecemeal fashion. However, having recently inked a deal with JPU Records the band are rejuvenated and ready to take on the world with their debut album Anthems of the Resilient, a record that’s certain to replicate the success of label mates LOVEBITES and find them conquering the world with their unique brand of symphonic power metal.
Attesting to a sense of urgency, and as if to make up for lost time, opening shot REVOLUTION doesn’t deal in procrastination. There’s no time to waste on eerie introductions or elongated preambles, just a thunderous drum roll and a hefty riff (always a good combination) which ensures the band arrive like a raging tempest that sweeps from speaker to speaker. With a ground shaking groove, grandiose swirling synths and razor sharp riffs, FATHOMLESS SKYWALKER arrive with flags fluttering and guns blazing, which is surely the only way for a power metal band to make their entrance. This is a horns-held-high, air guitar-inducing celebration of metal that radiates effervescence and straddles several genres simultaneously. Subsequently, it’ll appeal not only to fans of symphonic power metal, but those with a penchant for speed and trad metal will also find much to admire here. It all conspires to create an epic feel and if by happenchance you were ever called on a quest to save the universe from the forces of evil, Anthems of the Resilient would provide the perfect soundtrack.
Stereotypically, the Japanese voice has been viewed as only suitable to accompany certain types of music. However, just as Nao Yoshioka proved that Japanese people can sing soul very well, Chihiro will do a similar thing with symphonic metal. With a wide vocal range she hits all the right notes, especially in the upper register and unleashes some impressive glass-shattering shrieks. The band prove themselves equally versatile and tailor the music to the lyrics so that each song becomes a cinematic affair. As such, Pirates Of The Fathomless Sea becomes a mini movie populated by mermaids, seahorses, shanties and all sorts of seafaring shenanigans.
In many ways this could be seen as a quintessentially European power metal album, it’s full of Wagnerian allusions, classical influences and bombastic metal, yet FATHOMLESS SKYWALKER are wise enough to impart their own personality on proceedings meaning that Anthems of the Resilient has a definite East meets West vibe and conjoins somewhere in the middle. Departing as they arrived, PARADISO is a cataclysmic closer and (like all of the album) is sure to transfer well to the live environment: close your eyes and you can visualise the follicles flying and fists pumping the air in affirmation.
When it comes to kick ass metal bands, JPU Records certainly have their fingers on the steely pulse and have brought the likes of LOVEBITES and Mary’s Blood to worldwide prominence and FATHOMLESS SKYWALKER are sure to follow in their footsteps and global domination is surely only moments away.
Tracklisting:
1. REVOLUTION
2. The Loyal Paladins
3. POWER
4. Pirates Of The Fathomless Sea
5. Dystopia Survivors
6. REVENGE OF THE DEAD
7. 侍 -The Proud Warrior-
8. SEVEN DEADLY SINS
9. PARADISO
Anthems of the Resilient will be released as a worldwide physical release on 4 April 2025 and can be to pre-ordered through JPU Records (affiliate link). In addition, the digital distribution of FATHOMLESS SKYWALKER’s debut album is will start on 13 March 2025. Be sure to also read our interview with FATHOMLESS SKYWALKER.
