As “girls’ death metal” band G∀LMET made preparations for their first ever tour of Europe, vocalist MIKI took some time to answer a few questions from JaME. She spoke about her preference for harsh vocals, and G∀LMET’s mission to show the world the power of women through metal.
As this is your first European tour, could you please introduce yourselves?
MIKI: We are an all-female melodic death metal band from Osaka, Japan.
G∀LMET are currently the only "girls' metal" band to play melodic death metal. Why do you prefer this genre?
MIKI: We like hard and melodious death metal, and we want to show the power of girls all over the world in this genre.
You will perform your very first overseas live in Switzerland on May 23rd. What do you expect from this first live abroad?
MIKI: We hope that a lot of people will be interested in our music and show, and that G∀LMET can become known all over the world.
You will perform in Annecy, a French town known around the world for hosting the Annecy International Animated Film Festival. Are you interested in animated films? If so, what is your favorite animated film?
MIKI: “Shingeki no Kyojin“ (Attack on Titan).
Ruki, your leopard print guitar is very striking. Is it your own designf?
Ruki: My pink leopard guitar? Yes. Combat Guitars, a Japanese company, made it for me.
Do you have any artistic or creative activity besides music?
MIKI: Not currently.
Is it true G∀LMET's first ever live was as a "copy band*" of the Canadian group KITTIE?
MIKI: Yes it was.
*"Copy band" (コピーバンド) is a Japanese usage for tribute/cover bands.
From where do you draw your inspiration to write and compose your songs?
MIKI: From our favorite bands, TV shows, manga, personal experiences etcetera. All kinds of places.
What‘s the message you want to deliver through your music?
MIKI: We want more people to listen to music like our music, especially in Japan. And we're happy they enjoy our music and shows. We want to empower them.
Like Angela Gossow (ex-Arch Enemy) and Candice Clot (ex-Eths), you use harsh vocalization. Is this a way of giving more weight to the message and emotions you want to share through your songs?
MIKI: With this vocalization, a lot of feelings are expressed in our songs. Not just anger; sometimes it‘s sadness, power, enjoyment and happiness.
G∀LMET‘s image and stage outfits mix cute, sophisticated, and sometimes even sexy elements. These contrast sharply with the aggressiveness of your music. What importance do you place on your image, and what is the impression you want to give through it?
MIKI: We wanna make a lot of people enjoy us, and show them women's power.
Please leave a message for JaME readers?
Thank you for reading this interview. We hope you are interested in G∀LMET, listen to our music and enjoy our show!
JaME would like to thank G∀LMET and Michael of Metal Culture Switzerland for making this interview possible.
Below you can watch the music video for The Metter's Anthem from recent single End To The Next:
