Here is the thing about Galactic Empire: the premise sounds like a joke until the first riff hits. The galaxy’s self-proclaimed foremost instrumental Star Wars cosplay heavy metal John Williams tribute band — that is their description, not mine — rolls into Rec Room in Buffalo on Thursday, September 10, and yes, the members perform fully in character. Dark Vader on lead guitar. Boba Sett on drums. Red Guard and Shadow Ranger on guitars. Bass Commander holding down the low end. These are real names on a real stage.
About Galactic Empire
Galactic Empire takes iconic Star Wars orchestral compositions — “The Imperial March,” “Duel of the Fates,” all of it — and drives them straight through a wall of heavy metal distortion. Their first two music videos have accumulated over 24 million YouTube views. They have toured Canada, Europe, Japan, and Australia, shared stages with Ozzy Osbourne and BABYMETAL, and performed on E! Entertainment during the 2016 Academy Awards broadcast.
Their latest album, Cinemetal (October 2025, Pure Noise Records), expands the concept far beyond Tatooine: Superman, Avengers, Back to the Future, Batman, ET, Indiana Jones, Godzilla, Harry Potter, Lord of the Rings, Terminator, Pirates of the Caribbean — eleven tracks, all metal. This western New York stop is part of the Fatalitour 2, a 14-date North American tour.
About Rec Room
Rec Room is a 300-capacity bar and music venue on W Chippewa Street in downtown Buffalo. The room is tight — exactly the right size for a show built on spectacle. When the stage is that close and the musicians are in full costume, there is no bad spot in the house.
Doors open at 6:00 PM. Show starts at 7:00 PM. Age restrictions: 16 and older with ID; under 16 admitted with a parent or legal guardian; no one under 12 admitted.
Tickets
Tickets are available now — and at 300 capacity, this room fills fast.