You'll remember that our editor-in-chief brought home three promos from his recent trip to Japan? Well, with the promo of Gunship666's second full-length album, we'll be taking you into somewhat different realms of the guitar-oriented music scene, because where the music of Aggressive Dogs (see review posted earlier) was situated comfortably within the Metallic Hardcore aura, we now have to do with a Tokyo based Heavy Metal band! Granted, the vocal approach gives the band a Crossover colouring, but let's not quarrel about details, shall we!?
At the basis of things is female guitarist Masami Toriumi whom, as a true Iron Lady, was at the foundation of the band on June 6 of the year 2000! Along with her at those prime beginnings, were vocalists Shinsuke Kanai and Toshiyuki Miyazawa, and drummer Junishi Ohashi. You'll notice there's a bassist missing, and I can only assume that those beginning days were spent mostly in the rehearsal room. However, things definitely changed when, in early 2002, the foursome expanded into a quintet with the addition of bassist Kensuki Suzuki. That same year not only saw the release of the band's debut 4-track EP Sailing For Vengeance, but also brought an incredible opportunity for the band to go play shows in Des Moines, Iowa. In fact, the band was over there twice, first in June, and then again in December. So much did the guys (and lady...let's not forget) like its American adventure, and such was the buzz around the band, that in 2003 Gunship666 undertook a tour throughout Texas State. However, when returning home from that tour Kanai took his leave from the band, which soldiered on as a foursome until they recruited Tetsuo Sano as their second singer in 2005.
From now on, things are on the up again, with the band first releasing its second EP, the 4-track Shining Road, in 2006, and then their debut full-length Kamikaze (a CD/DVD combination) in 2007. In order to promote the full-length, Gunship666 again sets sails for the “land of opportunities”, playing a US tour in October of the same year. Regretfully, the band is stricken by a second departure, when after the tour Suzuki leaves. The band however perseveres, finding Sano quite able to take on the bass as well as his vocal duties, and so they continue as a quartet again. Now, I'm quite uncertain about the onset of the events which took place next, but in 2008 the band's membership is again shaken to bits, when co-founding members Onishi and Miyazawa leave shortly after each other. It leaves Gunship666 as a duo, and for some reason (perhaps a short hiatus was taken to re-think musical strategies...or for personal reasons?) it would not be until 2010 until the band's line-up is completed again, with Toriumi and Sano (whom meanwhile picked up the nickname Angry) opting for a power trio setting by recruiting drummer Toshiyuki “Hellsex” Sekikawa. For undivulged reasons, it took the band quite a while to come up with a new recording, but then there it finally is!
Now, it's been touched on before, but I shall repeat it again for clarity: do not expect a kitchen-variety of Heavy Metal music from Gunship666. Although, through the conveniences of dubbing, an extra guitar is mixed in when Masami does her solos, the music overall IS riff-driven, yet with a focus on melodies rather than on grooves, and of an overall aggressive type as well. I mean, except for a calmer passage during “731” (which also finds overdubs on the guitar being employed), the intensity of the songs (which is given a Hardcore colouring due to the vocal stylings) is quite high throughout the album. Funny thing: from an image posted at the band's website (www.) gunship666, I learned that both Mikey Doling (guitarist famed for his role in Snot, Soulfly and...making the connection...Channel Zero!) and Sterling Winfield (of Pantera and Hellyeah fame) are somehow involved in this album, but as the info is on a “poster” with Japanese lettering (which does not translate with the function provided, as it is an incorporated image rather than text, you know) I have no idea as to the capacity in which these dudes contributed. Hum...I dó hear added backing vocals to “Devil Inside” (both clean and rough) and the album closing “Drinkin' Is My Business”, and in a lesser extend to “99”... However, it explains how our editor-in-chief could get his hands on the promo copy! Regretfully, there's no music posted on the band's own website, and you'll have to make due with the videos posted at (www.) facebook.com/pages/Gunship666, these including live footage of two older songs, and a 2010 video of the band as a trio. You'll notice, I'm sure, that as far as intensities goes, the band's music is pretty constant throughout!
End conclusion: a release well worth your attention! Of course, purchasing a Japanese version of the album might be somewhat costly to most of us, but the album is also available for download via Amazon should one be so inclined (personally...and call me old-fashioned if you will, your comments fall right off my back when I think of all the things that can go wrong with CD's and digital storage means...I still prefer my albums on vinyl)!