This Week in Visual Kei: Spring Announcements & New Projects — April 20, 2026

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What a week for Visual Kei announcements. We're hitting that sweet spot where established acts are gearing up for summer tours while fresh faces are staking their claims—and honestly, the energy is *electric*.

**New Blood & Band Formations**

The big story here is the emergence of genuine new projects. Kaishin no Ichigeki reunited ex-JACK CAPER members and actually *formed a functioning band*, while Erzsébet Project brought together Monet and KD in a gothic collaboration that's already scheduled for a May live. Over in the underground, Sirius locked in their debut album for July—these are the stories that remind us the scene stays vital.

**The Album Onslaught**

Dir En Grey's *MORTAL DOWNER* continues dominating conversation (shout-out to Kaoru's deep-dive in Rock and Read 124), but there's serious momentum elsewhere too. lynch. dropped *CLIMAX* alongside a national 2026 tour, BLAZE went full darkness with the "ABYSS" digital single and MV, and we've got releases stacked through April and beyond: Empress's *BERSERK* EP, Kuro Guro's *The Root of All Evil*, and Amai Bouryoku's live Blu-ray all locked in.

**Tours & Live Events**

MUCC are taking the European route with Berlin and Helsinki B7Fest dates this summer—major move. SHAZNA pivoted from their single series into 2026 live dates, while LUNA SEA teased something "major" for April 17 that we're *still* waiting to hear about. DIV announced their hiatus tour, CUCKOO marked their 16th anniversary comeback live, and Zigzag's Mikoto showed up on ijikuri ROCKS, keeping the streaming conversation alive.

**The Smaller Stories That Matter**

Shinji (Sid) expanded his fashion empire with No Effect Collection 2, Psycho le Cému's YURAサマ launched the Headbang Recovery Project (community work matters), and Oshaburi. rebranded from .cute!! with a fresh MV. These are the moves that build ecosystems around the bands we love.

**What's Your Move?**

This week proved the Visual Kei calendar is *packed*—whether you're tracking underground debuts, chasing major-label tours, or hunting limited-edition merch, there's something for everyone. The spring announcement wave is in full effect, and frankly, we're just getting started.

Keep your eyes on LUNA SEA's April 17 reveal—something tells us that's going to shift the conversation entirely.

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