ワルキューレ is the name of more than one artist: 1) ワルキューレ (Walküre) is an idol group in Macross Delta anime. 2) ワルキューレ (VALKYR) was a metal band. 1) ワルキューレ (Walküre) is an tactical sound unit who battles the Var Syndrome that is consuming the galaxy in Macross Delta anime. 2) ワルキューレ (VALKYR) was a metal band whose members weren’t afraid to stray from the typical metal characteristics. The band often incorporated unusual elements into their compositions and performances. Syu, quite famous for being a very talented and skilful guitarist was a member of Valkyr. If you listen to their music, you will definitely hear the influence of this ‘guitar-hero’ in their music. As well as heavy guitar riffs, he played complicated solos and the Valkyr’s music often showcased his guitar playing skills. According to the band’s official site, Valkyr was formed in Nishinomiya city, Hyogo prefecture in 1997, by Ray (voc), Kyo (ba) and Koh (dr), all of them 17 years old at the time. The name of the band was chosen at random - they simply opened a dictionary and found a word that looked kakkoii (cool). The first several months of the band were quite lazy - they had not done anything before guitarist Syu joined them in August 1998. They played their first live on December 23rd, 1998. The live was called VALKYR X’mas LIVE, and the advertising flyer from the event gives the following line up for the band: Rei (v), Syusuke (g), Atsushi (g), Kyouichi (b), Hiroshi (dr). Atsushi obviously left the band sometime later on, and Hiroshi is probably none other than Koh. Almost exactly a year after Syu had joined the band, on August 12 1999, they finally released their first demotape, entitled Love of insanity. It was followed shortly after by Genkaku and Kyousou kyoku ALLERGY, both demos released in 1999. In 2000 a keyboard player called A (only 16 at the time!) joined the band. In August that year they released a two-track ‘recording tune’ VHS. 2001 witnessed the release of two more two track demotapes. Both of them came out on June 30th. In August Koh decided to leave the band. Also Kyo left around that time, only to return with a new name, Kyoichi (this time written in kanji and not in romaji like before), shortly after. Despite the lack of a drummer, in October 2001 they finally released their first single, entitled Batta. Compared to their previous releases, it’s content is more mature then their previous releases and the band were now clearly defining their own style. All throughout their career, they constantly played live concerts and participated in various events. Usually, they performed on one stage with other bands, the more well known among them would include Crystal eye’s, babysitter, Shulla, Baroque, ElDorado, Deadman and +D’espairs Ray+. On February 15th 2002 they had a two man live with Wail, and in March that same year they participated in Stylish Wave ‘02. The band broke up after playing their final one man Kago no soto no sora on April 24th, 2002. Valkyr actually played one more gig, a revival-live, on March 2nd, 2003, but that was their last breath. Ray went on to join Nana, while the other members formed a new band called Aushvitz. Apart from being the leader of Aushvitz, Syu also plays in Galneryus and Animetal, and occasionally performs as a solo artist as well.