Galactic Empire
Star Wars scores rearranged as instrumental progressive metal and performed in full character costume — a novelty premise executed with real technical chops.
Galactic Empire formed in the United States in 2015 around a single idea: performing John Williams' Star Wars music as instrumental metal, with the players masked and costumed as characters from the films. The arrangements lean on downtuned, djent-adjacent riffing and progressive metal structures, translating orchestral themes into layered guitar parts while keeping the original melodies recognisable.
The concept could easily be a gimmick, but the band's reputation rests on the playing — tightly drilled unison lines and rhythm work that hold up without vocals. Their recordings and live shows keep the costumes on throughout, and the group has become one of the better-known examples of the tribute-through-transformation approach in modern metal.
Galactic Empire at a glance
What kind of music does Galactic Empire play?
Galactic Empire is tagged metal.
What festivals has Galactic Empire played before?
Galactic Empire has played Welcome to Rockville 2026.
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