We had the pleasure of speaking with Chihiro, vocalist of the Japanese Symphonic Metal band FATHOMLESS SKYWALKER, ahead of their debut album release. Anthems of the Resilient is now available digitally via JPU Records, with physical copies set for release on April 4, 2025.
Chihiro shared her thoughts on the new album, her musical journey, and the presence of women in the music industry.
Reuel
Hello Chihiro! I am happy to chat with you. How are you and the rest of your band doing?
Chihiro
Hello! Thank you so much for interviewing me! I really appreciate it. My bandmates and I are all doing great and fully immersed in our music activities!
Reuel
Amazing! Your debut album will be released very soon! This is a huge milestone for any musician. How are you feeling about it?
Chihiro
FATHOMLESS SKYWALKER is the first band I’ve ever been in, and this is our first full album. Honestly, I still can’t believe it’s finished—it almost feels like a dream! It’s been a long journey to get here, but now I’m filled with a strong sense of accomplishment and excitement.
Reuel
How would you describe FATHOMLESS SKYWALKER’s music to someone who is yet to listen to you?
Chihiro
I would say it’s a mix of opera, metalcore, and film music. Of course, there are many more elements, but these three are the foundation. I studied classical vocal music at university, while our guitarist, Takuma, comes from a metalcore background. What we have in common is our love for film music. When these influences blend together, the world of FATHOMLESS SKYWALKER is born.
Reuel
You’ve already released a couple of singles from Anthems of the Resilient. How was the reaction from your fans and people in general?
Chihiro
So far, we’ve released four music videos: “REVOLUTION,” “POWER,” “Pirates of the Fathomless Sea,” and “Dystopia Survivors.” Each song has a completely different atmosphere, but fans have embraced all of them as part of the FATHOMLESS SKYWALKER universe. I’m also really happy that every single one of them gets the crowd going during our live shows!
Reuel
Is there any song on the upcoming album you are excited to know how people will react to in particular?
Chihiro
Personally, I’m really looking forward to hearing people’s thoughts on “侍 – The Proud Warrior -,” our first song to include Japanese lyrics. We usually write our lyrics in English because it fits the rhythm of our songs well, but in the future, we’d love to incorporate more traditional Japanese elements. We want to keep expanding our musical expression.
Reuel
Oh I’m so excited to check this out! Can you tell us a little about your musical background? What musicians had the most influence on you growing up and inspired you to become an artist yourself?
Chihiro
As a child, I was part of a choir, and whenever my family went on road trips, my parents would always play classical music, Peter, Paul and Mary, and Simon & Garfunkel in the car. These experiences had a huge influence on my musical perspective. I would say my roots are in classical and folk music. The band that made me want to become an artist myself was Nightwish. When I was studying classical vocal music at university, I was exploring music on YouTube and came across them. That was the moment I decided I wanted to start a band.
Reuel
Brilliant! How do you feel about the representation of women in heavy music today, and what do you think can be done to promote more inclusivity and support for female musicians?
Chihiro
Compared to the past, I think there are a lot more women thriving in the heavy music scene today, and that makes me really happy. That said, metal is still a minority genre in the mainstream, so I want to help bring more attention to this scene and create more opportunities for female artists. I hope we can reach the major music industry and expand our presence.
Reuel
It’s 2025, and unfortunately, in many places on Earth, women still suffer from discrimination in many shapes and forms. What message would you like to deliver to your fans who are facing any kind of discrimination?
Chihiro
There are so many women and children around the world experiencing hardships beyond what I can even imagine. Right now, I may not have the power to change things, but I will keep growing as an artist. I want to use my voice to speak out and fight for a world where every woman and every child can experience the happiness they deserve as human beings. Every life is equal. If even one person finds hope through my voice and the music of FATHOMLESS SKYWALKER, that would mean everything to me.
Reuel
Very well said! Thank you for your time, Chihiro, and for this interview! Is there anything else you’d like to add in the end?
Chihiro
Thank you so much for reading! I hope our music can become a part of your world. We’re already working on new songs, so please keep an eye on our future activities!. Thank you for the interview!
