Interviews: Galundo Tenvulance

On this new occasion, we have had the opportunity to interview the Melodic Death Metal band, Galundo Tenvulance, from Japan. Check out the interview and follow the band on their FACEBOOK PAGE.

1. Where did you get the idea for the band name? Was it planned, or did it just happen organically?

ASUKUN (Gt): We’re not an English-speaking band, and we wanted our name to reflect that. “Galundo” comes from the Japanese word garando, which means an empty, hollow space.

2. Why did you choose to play this genre?

ASUKUN (Gt): At first, we intended to play deathcore like Shadow of Intent or Lorna Shore, but our vocalist changed, and I eventually realized that my songwriting naturally gravitated toward melodic death metal. So the current style came about quite naturally.

3. Did you know each other before forming the band?

ASUKUN (Gt): I already knew DERA and KEN. They were playing in different bands, and I was working as a solo artist. Sometimes we appeared together on compilation albums, and that eventually became the foundation of our current band.

4. What is each band member's favorite band?

SAO (Vo): Anaal Nathrakh.

ASUKUN (Gt): My all-time favorite band is Megadeth. For this project, I’m especially influenced by Mors Principium Est.

DERA (Ba): Children Of Bodom.

GLUE (Gt): System of a Down. When it comes to playing for this band, I’m influenced by The Black Dahlia Murder.

KEN (Key): Dimmu Borgir.

5. Who or what inspires you to write songs?

ASUKUN (Gt): My biggest inspiration is painful memories. So far, I’ve written about leaving people behind and about the mistakes I’ve made. My second source of inspiration is my favorite movies — films like Hellraiser, The Silence of the Lambs, and others.

6. Where was your last gig?

ASUKUN (Gt): Our last gig was in Shinjuku, Tokyo — and so were the ones before that… and the ones before those. LOL.

7. Where would you like to perform in the future?

SAO (Vo): Since we’re based in Tokyo, Japan, we haven’t had many opportunities to travel and perform elsewhere. Moving forward, we’d like to play in a wide range of places, both in Japan and overseas, and give more people the chance to experience Galundo Tenvulance live.

GLUE (Gt): Since our activities are still mostly centered around the Tokyo area, we’d first like to play at clubs all across Japan.

8. Which artist or band would you like to collaborate with?

ASUKUN (Gt): Andy Gillion, formerly of Mors Principium Est. He’s a guitarist I deeply respect, someone truly special to me.

9. Is there anyone you wouldn’t want to collaborate with?

ASUKUN (Gt): No, not really.

10. Have any of you ever experienced stage fright? Do you have any tips for beginners on overcoming it?

SAO (Vo): At first, I sometimes struggled with how I should carry myself on stage, but thanks to advice from the other members and the warm reactions we received from fans, I gradually became able to relax and enjoy performing. 

ASUKUN (Gt): I struggled with it myself. At our first show, my hands were shaking so badly that I couldn’t play anything. I tried over-the-counter medicine and herbal remedies, but in the end, the only thing that worked was performing over and over again.

GLUE (Gt): I don’t really feel any major fear anymore, but of course, back when I was a beginner, I often got nervous. For me, the most distracting thing on stage is when intense lighting or even my own sweat messes with my vision. To overcome that, I practice at home with the lights off or even blindfolded so I can play reasonably well without relying on sight. Ever since I started doing that, I feel like my mental stability on stage has improved a lot.

11. Which bands have influenced you the most?

ASUKUN (Gt): My riffs are influenced by Mors Principium Est and The Black Dahlia Murder. DERA’s guitar solos are shaped by Children of Bodom, and KEN’s orchestrations draw heavily from Dimmu Borgir.

12. What's the weirdest thing a fan has ever asked you for?

ASUKUN (Gt): A fan once brought a CD I had released long ago during my solo days and asked me to sign it at a show. The quality was so low that I almost screamed—I never wanted anyone to hear it again.

GLUE (Gt): A tough-looking Western guy once challenged me to an arm-wrestling match. I beat him easily.

13. What do you think of your fans?

ASUKUN (Gt): Just knowing that people listen to the songs I pour my heart and soul into—over and over—and say, “This is amazing!” is enough to make me unbelievably happy. I still can’t believe it. Thank you so much for always supporting me.

14. What do you think of our site?

SAO (Vo): Your site is amazing — it features bands from all over the world. It’s exciting to think that passionate bands and metalheads exist in every corner of the planet. I’d be happy if this interview catches the eye of someone far away and becomes the reason they take an interest in us.

15. Is there anything else you’d like to add?

ASUKUN (Gt): For listeners picking up this release as their first exposure to us, I hope you enjoy Galundo Tenvulance’s unique blend of genres—not just straight melodic death metal. For the fans who have always supported us, this album features the strong presence of our new vocalist, SAO, and songs composed with a much heavier use of keyboards, giving it a different feel from our previous work. I hope you’ll enjoy this evolution in our sound.