Celebrate the New Year with the Sake God as Japan’s operatic metalcore adventurers, FATHOMLESS SKYWALKER, unveil the next chapter of their saga. A brand new song dedicated to the joys of alcohol, a freshly released music video, and the arrival of a new blue-haired adventurer mark the beginning of an epic new chapter.

Starting 2026 in a way only they can, FATHOMLESS SKYWALKER return with ‘SAKEKAGURA’, a magical hymn to sake and celebration, while officially welcoming new member NINO into their ranks. As ever, nothing in the world of FATHOMLESS SKYWALKER is simple or ordinary. Every release is a grand quest, every announcement a legend in the making.

So please allow us to recount this latest tale in the band’s own words, originally presented as a handwritten scroll in Japanese, sealed in a bottle that drifted by our offices near the Thames. An English translation of the message can be found below:

Here is the far east,
a radiant land safeguarded by a myriad of deities.

From the north descends the blue drunken swordsmaster, “NINO,” who joins the Fathomless Pirates.
Together the crew sets out on a journey in search of a mysterious treasure.
A treasure that...

Cures illnesses and vanquishes evil.
With but one sip, it is said one may speak with the gods.

In search of this, they set sail.
Along the way they meet a man named Kaelhakase.
Drink in hand, he says,
“Let me join your crew”
Having another join their quest,
the Fathomless Pirates continue their journey.

And then, at last, a message from the God of Sake;
“Believe in sake and the path shall be opened”,
And so it was revealed that Kaelhakase was the God of Sake all along.

He proclaims,
“This human world is a fleeting one,
and yet that is precisely why it dances so beautifully"

Sake! Sake!
Life giving water.

Sake! Sake!
On, eternal life.

This song be praised.
Passed down a thousand generations and eight thousand more.
The hidden treasure is
The love of sake.

Even if one cannot drink,
As long as your heart is in sake
You, yourself
Are the treasure.
  

Experience the new chapter in song form by watching the full music video above. Filmed at Jyouseiji Temple in Uraga, Yokosuka, this sacred site was founded in 1227 during the Kamakura period. Amid the chaos of the Onin War in the 15th century, the temple was relocated, later reestablished, and given its present name in 1637. In 2026, the grounds were graced by the Sake God himself, Kaelhakase, who is also a member of the band JAPANESE FOLK METAL, marking the filming of this music video as a moment where myth, history, and sound converged.

SAKEKAGURA’s music video was directed by Yuuichi Tamura from Ato4 Sound Factory, who’s worked on videos for the likes of CROSS VEIN, SAISEIGA and THE UNCROWNED, as well as FATHOMLESS SKYWALKER’s 'Dystopia Survivors', found on the band’s debut album Anthems of the Resilient. He’s joined by executive advisor Mr.EYEGAGO, frontman of AILIFDOPA, who frequently provides advice and direction to FATHOMLESS SKYWALKER on their adventures. The track itself also sees the band reunite with Freddy (Serenity In Murder) for the orchestral composition, and Hiro of Studio Prisoner (Unlucky Morpheus, Nocturnal Bloodlust, Cystal Lake) for production, mixing and mastering.

FATHOMLESS SKYWALKER are no strangers to the world of sake. In fact, they even have their beer ‘FATHOMLESS VOYAGE IPA’, brewed in Tokyo and inspired by the band and their many drunken adventures. Fittingly, in SAKEKAGURA’s music video, each member is introduced with a subtitle related to the sacred drink. The band’s green-haired guitarist Takuma is introduced as ‘Meitei Kyoujyu’ (The Drunken Mad Emperor Beast), drummer TETSU as ‘Shuten Bouzu’ (The Sake-Drinking Monk), new adventurer NINO as ‘Suiken Hanshi’ (The Intoxicated Swordmaster), and lastly vocalist Chihiro as ‘Saketoke no Miko’ (The Sake Offering Priestess).

With SAKEKAGURA, FATHOMLESS SKYWALKER invite listeners to raise a cup not only to celebration, but to impermanence, fellowship, and the shared journey itself. As the new year begins, the voyage continues. Kanpai!

About FATHOMLESS VOYAGE IPA:

Reflecting the band’s long-standing connection to alcohol-fuelled adventure, FATHOMLESS SKYWALKER collaborated with Metal Master Brewing Tokyo to create FATHOMLESS VOYAGE IPA, an original craft beer inspired by the band’s signature song “Pirates of the Fathomless Sea.” This refreshing American-style IPA features mint and pink pepper notes, evolving in aroma and flavour as it warms, never tasting quite the same with each sip. The ingredients symbolically represent the band members: mint for guitarist Takuma, pink pepper for vocalist Chihiro, and the ever-changing character for drummer TETSU, who also serves as the “harmoniser” balancing the flavours. Originally available only at the band’s 2025 summer one-man show, the beer is now available at heavy metal taverns Metal Justice Tokyo and Metal Master Brewing Tokyo.

About FATHOMLESS SKYWALKER:

FATHOMLESS SKYWALKER is a Japanese operatic metalcore band known for its theatrical storytelling, orchestral soundscapes, and myth-inspired concepts. Blending fantasy, ritual, and heavy metal, the band creates immersive music and visuals that evolve with each new chapter.