#30 - Top of 2012

Galneryus - Angel of Salvation (VAP)

In number 30 of the top albums for 2012, we find the 2012 album from Osakan Neoclassical J-Metal band Galneryus. This has been hailed as their best studio work to date which is an impressive feat on its own, given the fact that before this, Galneryus have released another 7 full-length albums and a considerable number of EPs and singles. The band faced uncertainty for a period of a couple of years after the departure of original vocalist Yama-B, but was able to find a successor of equal caliber in  Masatoshi Ono. Ono is the one who truly delivers in this album mixing his voice perfectly with the neoclassical guitar sounds and the power metal vibe of the rest of the band. Some of the highlights of the album include the eponymous epic, the instrumental "Longing" and "Hunting for your Dream", a highly energetic piece who gained fame as the opening track of the well-beloved anime "Hunter X Hunter". Drumming throughout the record are also immaculate with Junichi doing an amazing straightforward job. Overall, an excellent album truly representative of the J-Metal scene at its best with one of the better known bands of the genre delivering an explosive music album.

92/100

Below is the Music Video for "Hunting for your Dream".