COCK ROACH Fifth Album "死への先駆的覚悟性" Coming May 2026

COCK ROACH is returning with their most ambitious project yet. The Tokyo-based Visual Kei outfit has announced their fifth full-length album, *死への先駆的覚悟性* (Shi e no Senkushateki Kakugo-sei / Pioneering Resolve Toward Death), arriving May 1st, 2026.

If you're unfamiliar with COCK ROACH, they're one of Japan's most uncompromising dark Visual Kei acts, known for their grotesque imagery, dissonant guitar work, and existential lyrical themes. They've been quietly building a devoted underground following with their previous albums and relentless live performances—this fifth record signals another evolution in their aesthetic vision.

The 14-track album showcases their signature blend of gothic sensibilities and avant-garde experimentation. The tracklist reads like a horror anthology: opening with "God Does Not Love Me" and moving through cuts like "Sacrifice Blood," "Fish and Beak," and "Moon Devouring," before closing with "死都Utopia" (Dead City Utopia). The juxtaposition of the opening and closing tracks—"Death City Dystopia" and "Death City Utopia"—hints at the conceptual arc underlying the album.

Two music videos have already dropped to build momentum. "零と弌" (Zero and One) and "鴉葬" (Chōsō / Crow Funeral) both showcase COCK ROACH's commitment to striking visual presentation alongside their chaotic, avant-garde sound. These are essential viewing for understanding where the band is heading.

For Western fans accustomed to more straightforward Visual Kei aesthetics, COCK ROACH demands patience and an appetite for genuine weirdness. They're not here to make you comfortable—they're here to challenge your expectations of what Visual Kei can be.

Mark your calendars for May 2026 and keep an eye on their Twitter (@COCKROACHnews) for pre-order details and additional singles. This is one of the most anticipated underground VK releases on the horizon.