Posts

Kaya & Schwarz Stein Announce 2026 Europe Tour

By
After 14 years away from European stages, Kaya is making a triumphant return—and he's bringing Schwarz Stein along for the ride. The gothic lolita pioneer and his unit have officially announced a European tour slated for August and September 2026. For Kaya, this marks a significant milestone: his first continent-wide tour since 2012. For Schwarz Stein, the journey across Europe represents another exciting chapter in their ongoing collaboration. **Who is Kaya?** If you're new to the Visual Kei underground, Kaya is a legendary figure in the gothic lolita and EBM-influenced VK scene. Known for his striking feminine aesthetic, ethereal vocals, and darkly romantic compositions, he's been a cornerstone of Japan's alternative music landscape since the 1990s. His solo work and various projects—including Schwarz Stein—blend gothic atmospherics, electronic elements, and theatrical presentation into something wholly unique within Visual Kei. Schwarz Stein, his unit with colla...
Post a Comment
Read more

Kuroyume Team With Sumitomo Mitsui Bank for Olive Campaign

By
Image
In a surprising crossover between Visual Kei and corporate Japan, legendary darkwave act **Kuroyume** has partnered with Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation's digital banking service "Olive" for a limited-time collaboration campaign launching April 10, 2026. The partnership celebrates Kuroyume's remarkable comeback — the band reunited after a decade hiatus and has since tackled a nationwide tour, major festival appearances, and new digital initiatives. Now in their 50s, vocalist Kiyoharu and bassist Hitoki continue pushing creative boundaries, making them the perfect ambassadors for Olive's mission to introduce digital-first banking to their generation. **Campaign Details & Rewards** Running through June 12, 2026, fans who open a new Olive account (or switch their existing account) and maintain a minimum balance of ¥20,000 will receive exclusive limited-edition collaboration t-shirts. Full details and eligibility requirements are available on the offi...
Post a Comment
Read more

Lucy Announce ROCKAROLLICA III Album with Countdown Track Reveals

By
Image
After two decades away from live performances, legendary Visual Kei act Lucy is making a triumphant return—and they're doing it in style. The trio, featuring vocalist/guitarist Hisatoshi Imai, bassist Kiyoshi, and drummer Tatsunari Okazaki, has announced an extensive rollout for their third studio album *ROCKAROLLICA III*, arriving April 23, 2026. **Countdown to the Full Tracklist** Lucy will reveal all 13 album tracks one by one via their official social media, building anticipation ahead of release day. Two singles have already dropped: "PUNK THE LUCY" (April 1) and "からっぽの宇宙." ("Empty Universe," April 8). The remaining 11 tracks will debut exclusively through this countdown campaign—a creative way to engage fans and drum up excitement for what's shaping up to be one of 2026's most anticipated Visual Kei releases. The album arrives in three formats: Limited Edition A (CD + Blu-ray, ¥5,500), Limited Edition B (CD + DVD, ¥5,500), and St...
Post a Comment
Read more

DIR EN GREY – MORTAL DOWNER Review: A Masterwork of Controlled Chaos

By
Image
DIR EN GREY has never been a band to rest on laurels, and *MORTAL DOWNER* proves they're still willing to push boundaries in their third decade of existence. This double album arrives as a statement of artistic defiance—a sprawling, densely layered exploration of existential weight that feels simultaneously their most accessible and most uncompromising work to date. From the opening moments, it's clear Kyo and co. are operating at peak creative confidence. The production is immaculate without sacrificing the raw, industrial edge that defined their watershed works like *Uroboros*. Rather than chasing trends, the band has synthesized their entire catalog—the melodic sensibilities of their 2000s output, the avant-garde textures of their recent work, and the sheer visceral intensity they've always commanded. What emerges is something that feels both familiar and freshly destabilizing. The instrumental architecture deserves special praise. Die's guitar work remains t...
Post a Comment
Read more

KAMIJO Launches Personal Story Series "LA VIE EN ROSE"

By
Image
KAMIJO, the theatrical mastermind behind the iconic symphonic metal act Versailles and a true pillar of the international Visual Kei scene, is inviting fans into his inner world through an exclusive new article series titled "LA VIE EN ROSE" (Life in Pink). For those unfamiliar with KAMIJO's legacy: he's the visionary frontman who helped define modern Visual Kei's operatic, classical-influenced sound. Versailles, his project that debuted in 2007, became one of the most celebrated symphonic rock acts to emerge from Japan, blending elaborate Gothic aesthetics with orchestral arrangements and virtuosic musicianship. Beyond Versailles, KAMIJO has remained a creative force, collaborating across multiple projects and consistently pushing the boundaries of what Visual Kei can express artistically. In this new series, KAMIJO steps into the role of personal storyteller, sharing candid reflections on the formative moments and influences that shaped his artistic iden...
Post a Comment
Read more

Ruiza BAND Rebrands as "Redo" in July 2026

By
A fresh start is coming for the Visual Kei scene: **Ruiza BAND will officially rebrand as "Redo"** effective July 3rd, 2026. The name change marks an exciting new chapter for this talented collective, which features an impressive lineup of musicians with deep roots in the Japanese underground rock scene. The newly christened **Redo** brings together four seasoned performers, each bringing their own pedigree to the project. Fronting the band is vocalist **Seth**, whose resume reads like a who's who of notable VK and experimental acts—he's previously worked with AFTER IMAGE, AMADEUS, Art Cube, SHAPE SHIFTER, and Moi dix Mois, lending him considerable experience in theatrical and avant-garde performance. On guitar is **Ruiza** (ex-Distray, D), the namesake of the original band, whose instrumental prowess has been key to the group's sound. Anchoring the low end is bassist **Tsunehito** (ex-Rélude, SCISSOR, D), and powerhouse drummer **美景 (Mikage)** (ex-VII-Sense, ch...
Post a Comment
Read more

OMEGA DRIPP Release New Digital Single "SUDARIUM" in April 2026

By
Image
Japanese Visual Kei act OMEGA DRIPP is gearing up to unleash fresh material this spring with the digital single "SUDARIUM," set to drop on April 10, 2026. For those unfamiliar with the band, OMEGA DRIPP brings the theatrical darkness that defines modern Visual Kei—expect dramatic instrumentation, haunting vocals, and the kind of conceptual intensity that keeps the genre alive in Japan's underground rock scene. They've carved out a solid following among Western VK fans who appreciate bands that don't shy away from exploring heavy, atmospheric territory. The title "SUDARIUM" carries intriguing historical and religious connotations, suggesting this release may continue the band's thematic approach to songwriting. Whether the single marks a shift in their sonic direction or builds on their established sound remains to be seen, but the cryptic nature of the announcement has already sparked speculation among fans. This digital release is a great e...
Post a Comment
Read more