Interview with FATHOMLESS SKYWALKER: “We would be so happy if our music could become a part of the world that each of you carries within yourself”

With the upcoming worldwide release of their debut album  Anthems of the Resilient, symphonic metalcore band FATHOMLESS SKYWALKER, consisting of vocalist Chihiro, guitarists Takuma and Takahiro, and drummer TETSU, have taken a big step in their career. As the latest addition to JPU Records, they are expanding their reach to an international audience. We had the chance to interview the band members and we talked with them about their musical journey, the creation of the album, how they decided to join JPU Records and when we can expect the metal band in Europe.

AVO Magazine: As this is our first interview with you, we were curious to find out how the band started in 2017. Could you tell us about how you all met and decided to form FATHOMLESS SKYWALKER?

Chihiro: When I was studying classical vocal music at university, I discovered Nightwish, which inspired me to start my own band. I invited Takuma, who was playing guitar in a metalcore band at the time, and that’s how we formed the band.

Takuma: My metalcore band was about to go on hiatus, and I was looking for something new—something I had never done before. Just then, Chihiro invited me to join, and that led to the formation of FATHOMLESS SKYWALKER.

Chihiro: The theme of our band is “the creation of worlds.” We love creative works such as movies, anime, games, and novels, and we wanted to create new stories through our music. That’s why we compose songs based on different worlds and themes.

AVO Magazine: Were you all drawn together by a love of the same music? Is there one artist that particularly inspires all of you?

Chihiro: Actually, each of us has been influenced by different artists. For me, my biggest inspiration is Nightwish, as they were the reason I wanted to start a band in the first place. I discovered Nightwish during the era of their second vocalist, Anette, and at that time, their music had a strong folk influence. Since I grew up listening to folk songs from a young age, their sound really resonated with me.

Takuma: For me, it was SUM 41 that inspired me to pick up the guitar. I actually come from a punk background. From there, I got into metal and was completely blown away by KILLSWITCH ENGAGE’s guitar riffs. The music Chihiro and I created based on our influences caught the attention of Tetsu on drums and Takahiro on guitar, and that’s how they joined the band.

TETSU: The band I’ve played the most with is called UNLIMITS. The reason I started playing heavy music was because of Slipknot and Sonata Arctica. The first piece of gear I ever bought was, of course, the Joey model from Slipknot!

Takahiro: I originally listened to punk rock bands like Rancid and The Offspring, but later, I started listening to Korn and Slipknot, which led me to love metal. I feel that Chihiro and Takuma’s music has similar roots, which is why I decided to join the band.

AVO Magazine: The band name FATHOMLESS SKYWALKER is quite intriguing. What’s the story behind it?

Chihiro: The band name was created by me and our leader, Takuma.

– “FATHOMLESS” means “immeasurable” (which is synonymous with “Chihiro”). “Fathom” is also a unit for measuring water depth.
– “SKYWALKER” means “one who walks the sky.”

By combining these words, we created a unique term that embodies the idea of “creating all worlds, from the boundless sky to the unknown depths of the ocean.” This concept ties directly into our band’s theme: the creation of worlds.

AVO Magazine: Your music has a strong pirate influence, knowing that you have a big love for pirates, but we also see themes from fantasy and sci-fi worlds. How do you bring all these different inspirations together into your sound and lyrics?

Takuma: For our latest work, Anthems of the Resilient, we focused on “warriors” who appear in various creative works across different genres. Whether it’s warriors fighting against evil forces, samurai protecting their town alongside their comrades, or brave adventurers setting sail on a beautiful yet perilous ocean journey, we wanted to portray those who battle, regardless of their world. Among all these warriors, since we love “companions, booze, and adventure!”, we couldn’t help but relate the most to pirates! Haha!

AVO Magazine: TETSU is also active in AILIFDOPA (formerly known as Ailiph Doepa), and Chihiro works as a vocal coach. How do these experiences influence FATHOMLESS SKYWALKER’s music and how do you keep your balance between these projects?

Chihiro: As a vocal coach, I constantly get to discover new music. Since I have to teach my students, I engage with that music wholeheartedly. This process greatly benefits both my music production and my own vocal technique. I truly feel that this is my calling! Moving forward, I want to continue improving and growing both as a vocalist and as a vocal coach.

TETSU: By exploring the unknown worlds of AILIFDOPA and other artists from different perspectives, I’ve been able to deepen my musical credibility and broaden my knowledge. Musically, AILIFDOPA’s influence can be seen in my slightly unconventional, technical, and playful approach. Since the members of both bands are friends, we support each other in various ways, whether it’s driving or production work. Scheduling is structured based on who books first. To be precise, AILIFDOPA is like the “older brother” with a longer history, so their plans tend to be set first. The experiences and knowledge gained there naturally feed into FSW as well. As a drummer, I consciously switch my playing style and mindset between the two, so I don’t really worry about balancing them. Instead, I’m just grateful for the harmony we share as a team!

AVO Magazine: FATHOMLESS SKYWALKER originates in Tokyo. What is the metal scene like there and how has it changed in recent years? Are there many places for a young band to perform?

Takuma: Tokyo’s metal scene is highly competitive. There are countless stages, ranging from small live houses to massive venues like the Nippon Budokan. This makes it easy to perform, but at the same time, many metal events overlap, causing audiences to be spread out. Within Tokyo, Shibuya and Shinjuku have especially high concentrations of live houses, leading to the constant emergence of new bands. One of the things I enjoy is discovering and talking to these new bands when I go to see my friends’ shows.

Takahiro: Until a few years ago, I worked at a live house called WildSideTokyo in Shinjuku. There, I saw many great metal bands, and the venue was always lively, with metal fans gathering, drinking, and enjoying the music. But at the same time, I often thought, “This music deserves to be more mainstream.”

AVO Magazine: What do you think are the biggest challenges for a Japanese metal band in Tokyo today, especially an independent metal band like FATHOMLESS SKYWALKER?

Takuma: In my personal opinion, one of the factors hindering the growth of metal in Japan is the way subgenres have become so fragmented, creating barriers between them. Since metal is a minority genre in Japan, I believe we need to come together as one to strengthen the scene. That’s why we play in the symphonic metalcore genre, but ultimately, we want to collaborate with various bands under the broader umbrella of “metal” and become a bridge within the metal scene.

AVO Magazine: It has been a long time between your debut EP (2018’s World End) and your debut album Anthems Of The Resilient, although in between you have released several singles. How did these years of releasing the EP and singles shape your musical identity and approach to the first full-length album?

Takuma: Musically, the biggest change we’ve undergone is the increased incorporation of metalcore elements compared to our early days. At first, I wasn’t really familiar with the symphonic metal genre, so I was merely mimicking its style to complement Chihiro’s vocals. However, I eventually realised that I needed to incorporate my own strengths and experiences. This led me to integrate more heavy metalcore-style guitar riffs and fast-paced, punk-like backing into our songs. Additionally, when it came to the orchestral elements—one of FATHOMLESS SKYWALKER’s signature features—we worked with Freddy from the Japanese symphonic death metal band SERENITY IN MURDER to create a more authentic and powerful sound.

Chihiro: As I explored metalcore further, I discovered ICE NINE KILLS, and their work had a huge impact on me. Their albums are themed around American horror, and each of their music videos feels like a cinematic experience. This influence led us to start incorporating story-driven narratives into our music videos, beginning with REVOLUTION.

AVO Magazine: The songs we’ve heard so far have a very unique sound. Can you give us an insight on the recording progress of the album, how your approach to recording changed over the years and how did working with guest musicians shape the songs?

Chihiro: Since we started working with Hiro from STUDIO PRISONER on our music production in 2020, we’ve experienced a major transformation. Through the recording process, I learned that the vocals must lead the entire sound, which completely shifted my mindset as a vocalist.

Takuma: Hiro is incredibly passionate about music. He points out details I had never noticed before and gives invaluable advice, allowing me to learn and absorb new things every day. Because of this, FATHOMLESS SKYWALKER will continue to evolve even further.

Chihiro: As for collaborations with guest musicians, since our band doesn’t have a bassist, we invited three different musicians to record for this release as support members. Each song features a different bassist, so we hope you enjoy the variety in sound!

AVO Magazine: With Anthems Of The Resilient now completed, what emotions or messages do you hope listeners will take away from it?

Chihiro: I would be so happy if our music could become a part of the world that each of you carries within yourself. I hope you can feel it freely and enjoy it in your own way. And if what we create blends with your world, giving birth to something entirely new… and that cycle continues endlessly… I think that would be truly wonderful.

Takuma: On top of that, I’d love for our listeners to fully immerse themselves in these worlds. If it’s a song about battle, imagine yourself as a comrade fighting alongside us on the battlefield. If it’s a pirate-themed song, picture yourself as a crew member setting sail on the same ship. I hope you can dive into our world and experience it firsthand!

AVO Magazine: The album is housed in a striking sleeve. Who designed it and what are you trying to convey with it?

Chihiro: For this full album, we entrusted all the design work to Saida from Outpsyde, a talented Japanese designer. Not only the cover art but also the entire booklet features unique designs that match the imagery of each song, making it truly special. I’d love for you to see it in person! The cover art depicts a battlefield goddess guiding warriors. Her sacred melody leads them to victory. Her red hair is actually inspired by my own! There’s also a bit of my personal wish in there—I’d love to be as strong and cool as she is! Haha.

AVO Magazine: The latest video for the song Dystopia Survivors looks really interesting. Can you tell me about the filming process? Where did you get the idea for the song and video?

Chihiro: Thank you very much. This album is composed of songs inspired by various stories from films, anime, and other narrative works. However, Dystopia Survivors is based on a completely original story. While the other songs were created with the intention of letting listeners experience different fantasy worlds, this particular song carries a message for those living in today’s society. It speaks to the happiness that has been lost precisely because we live in times of abundance. Before giving up on life, I hope people will listen to this song and that its message will reach them. As for the music video, we shot it in a cosplay studio—a unique touch that is very *Japanese*! Since it wasn’t a music studio, we couldn’t play loud sounds, so TETSU had to perform with a drum playback. That was probably the most challenging part for him! (laughs)

TETSU: I struck with my soul! Maybe my sticks hit a little too, but I was going so fast that no one should have noticed!

Chihiro: Additionally, Eyegargoyle from AILIFDOPA participated as an advisor. He is an incredible creator who always helps guide our visuals in an amazing direction.

AVO Magazine: What is your reasoning for singing in English as opposed to your native language Japanese? What are the challenges of singing in a foreign language? We have noticed that in Power, Chihiro sang in an Elvish language, which is really cool!

Chihiro: The reason I sing in English is that I want to use the language that best fits the atmosphere and rhythm of each song. My English pronunciation is not yet perfect, so I will continue training every day to further improve the quality of our music. In classical singing, you need to open your mouth and throat wide, which makes English quite challenging due to its wide variety of sounds. From that perspective, Japanese, with only five vowel sounds—just like Italian, the language of opera—might also be a great choice. So I think it would be nice to create more songs in Japanese as well. This album actually includes our first song with Japanese lyrics, 侍 -The Proud Warrior-. It was inspired by the Japanese manga Gintama! I hope you enjoy the traditional Japanese sound woven into it. I’m really happy that you liked the Elvish language! I sang in Elvish, a language created by The Lord of the Rings author J.R.R. Tolkien.

AVO Magazine: You have been an independent band from the start, now you will be releasing your first album with the UK-based label JPU Records. What led to this decision to sign with JPU Records (and how did this come about)?

Chihiro: We were introduced to JPU Records by ex-Aldious member Marina when CEO Tom visited Japan! He came to see our live performance at that time, and afterward, we bonded over drinks until morning. That connection led to us signing with JPU Records. We are incredibly grateful to Tom from JPU Records and to Marina for bringing us together.

AVO Magazine: Finally, can we expect to see FATHOMLESS SKYWALKER in Europe anytime soon?

Chihiro: Wacken Open Air! (My Dream)

TETSU: Unfortunately, we don’t have any scheduled plans yet, but we are already under the same sky! I’m certain the day we meet in Europe is not far off!

Takahiro: We know that Europe has many amazing metal bands and passionate metalheads. That’s why traveling from Japan to play there is something we absolutely want to do.

Takuma: I’ve only been to Europe for travel, so I definitely want to go there for a live show! I want to show you the spirit of the Japanese samurai! And of course, I want to eat a lot of delicious food, drink a lot of alcohol, and get totally drunk!!!

AVO Magazine: Thank you so much for your time.

All member: Thank you for conducting the interview!

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This interview was a collaborative effort between Francisca Hagen and Peter Dennis. A big thanks and appreciation to the members of FATHOMLESS SKYWALKER for answering our questions extensively and many thanks to JPU Records for making this interview possible. 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. We were able to review the album, which you can read here.