VKNews

April 2026 is absolutely PACKED with visual kei goodness, and we're thrilled to guide you through this month's most essential releases and announcements! From highly anticipated debut albums and sophomore releases to unexpected comebacks, jaw-dropping rebrands, and dark new music videos, the scene is firing on all cylinders this month with everything from established legends like DIR EN GREY and MUCC to explosive newcomers like 丑03-USHIMITSU- and Strawberry Song Orchestra. Kizu — Kizu Release Two New Singles as Album Postponed to August 丑03-USHIMITSU- — 丑03-USHIMITSU- Debut Album "I" Coming April 2026 CODOMO DRAGON — CODOMO DRAGON Release Tour Final Live DVD あの子の部屋のカレンデュラは — あの子の部屋のカレンデュラは Debut: Five Singles & First Live Vertigo — Vertigo Release 5th Demo Single "誘月" in April 2026 Litchi☆Hikari CLUB x machine "Rendez-vous" Split — Litchi☆Hikari CLUB x machine ...

April 2026 Month in Review: Reunions, Supergroups & the Sound of Tomorrow April was the month Visual Kei stopped playing it safe—legends returned, new blood arrived, and the underground roared louder than ever.

Fresh energy is coming to the Visual Kei scene with unRealless's first EP, and it's arriving sooner than you might think. **unRealless** will drop their debut EP **"NETWORK SYNDROME"** on **May 1st, 2026**. This four-track, 15-minute release marks an exciting entry point into a band that's already generating buzz among Western VK fans. The band features: - **MINOLi** (Vocals) - **綾人 / Ayato** (Guitar) - **青 / Sei** (Bass) - **JuuN** (Drums) While unRealless hasn't been in the Western spotlight for long, they're part of a wave of newer Visual Kei acts bringing theatrical intensity and avant-garde sensibilities to Japan's rock underground. Their sound bridges the gap between melodic composition and experimental edge—exactly what keeps the Visual Kei movement alive and evolving. The **"NETWORK SYNDROME"** teaser already dropped on YouTube, giving fans a first taste of what to expect. Based on the preview, the band isn't afraid of at...

A fresh collaborative project is on the horizon for Visual Kei fans: ANI-V, a new dual-vocal unit, will drop their debut digital single "Magical Lovely Caramel Pop" (マジカル・ラブリー・キャラメルポップ) on **May 11, 2026**. The project brings together two seasoned vocalists from the Japanese underground rock scene. **Natsuhiko**, who previously fronted the Visual Kei acts Zakuro, UNDER, and 地球侵略 鬼ON (Chikyuu Shinryaku Oni ON), pairs with **Cahier**, also a former member of 地球侵略 鬼ON. This shared history suggests a natural chemistry and understanding of each other's vocal dynamics—a strong foundation for any new musical venture. While details remain sparse at this stage, the project's playful, pop-inflected title hints at a lighter, more experimental direction than some of their previous work, though ANI-V's exact sonic identity will become clearer once the single drops. The pairing of two male vocalists in the VK sphere is always intriguing, and fans of theatrical, characte...

Another short-lived chapter closes in the Visual Kei underground: **Souka** (葬花, literally "Flower Burial") has announced their disbandment, set for May 2025. The band, which only formed in December 2024, shared the news via Twitter today alongside a heartfelt message thanking fans for the memories they've created together during their brief existence. While specifics about the reasons for their split remain undisclosed, the group has promised to reveal their final live plans in the coming weeks—so fans wanting to catch them one last time should stay tuned to their official channels. It's a bittersweet reminder of how transient the VK scene can be. New bands emerge with ambitious visions and fresh energy, only to dissolve before they've had time to build a substantial discography or touring momentum. Souka's lifespan of roughly five months is certainly on the shorter end, but it's far from unprecedented in Japan's underground rock sphere, where...

Visual Kei act THE BEETHOVEN are gearing up for a major milestone with a fresh aesthetic rebrand and the announcement of their highly anticipated 9th single, *Angel*. For those unfamiliar with the band, THE BEETHOVEN are known for their theatrical approach to rock music, blending classical influences with the dramatic visual presentation that defines Visual Kei. The new look marks an exciting evolution for the group as they prepare to celebrate 13 years in the scene. The single *Angel* is set to drop on **May 14, 2026**, so mark your calendars now. Alongside the release, THE BEETHOVEN will embark on their 13th anniversary oneman tour, titled *Classical × Thirteen*—a fitting title that plays on the band's classical-rock fusion sound and the significance of reaching this milestone year. The band has shared striking new promotional images showcasing their reimagined visual direction. While details about the specific changes to their aesthetic remain to be fully revealed, the ...