VKNews

Nothing's Carved In Stone has officially announced a two-band tour across Japan this fall, bringing the energy of their 12th album *Fire Inside Us* to three major cities. The announcement came during the final show of their *Fire Inside Us Tour* at Tokyo's Zepp DiverCity on April 22nd. The **Hand In Hand Tour 2026** will kick off on September 30th in Yokohama at KT Zepp Yokohama, followed by dates in Nagoya (October 2nd at Diamond Hall) and Osaka (October 30th at Gorilla Hall Osaka). Each show runs from 18:00 opening / 19:00 start, with standing room tickets priced at ¥6,300 (or ¥4,000 with student discount, plus one drink). Guest bands for each date will be revealed later. For those unfamiliar with the band, Nothing's Carved In Stone has been a fixture in Japan's visual rock scene since their formation, blending heavy instrumentals with theatrical aesthetics and conceptual depth. Their latest album *Fire Inside Us* showcases the band's continued evolution w...

Following the triumphant conclusion of their *Maniac Heaven Tour Vol. 17*, THE BACK HORN is ready to ignite summer 2026 with a brand-new one-man tour that promises raw intensity and cathartic release. **Who are THE BACK HORN?** For those unfamiliar, THE BACK HORN are a legendary Visual Kei institution—a band that has spent decades crafting a signature sound that balances theatrical darkness with genuine emotional depth. They're known for their evocative imagery, intricate compositions, and uncompromising live performances that leave audiences spiritually transformed. **What's coming in summer 2026** The band just announced the *"KYO-MEI One-Man Tour" ~ Explosive Sound, Scorching Heat, Pure Land ~*, a six-show tour across five cities running from July through September. This marks their first self-promoted tour to include Gifu and Kobe in years—a significant moment for longtime fans in these regions. The tour's concept—"Explosive Sound, Scorching He...

A legendary three-band convergence is happening this July. Merry have announced **"Daisuke Matsuri!!"** (Daisuke Festival), a special one-night-only event at Tokyo's Zepp Haneda on **July 30th, 2026** — timed to coincide with vocalist Gala's birthday and part of Merry's 25th Anniversary celebration, *Many Merry Days*. What makes this event historic? For the first time ever, the early 2000s Visual Kei "Big Three" — **Merry, MUCC, and Hizame** — will perform together in a dedicated three-man live. While these bands have shared festival bills countless times, this marks their first headline-only collaboration since the golden age of Japanese visual rock. The lineup includes Merry, MUCC, and three former Hizame members: vocalist Youana, guitarist Kazu, and bassist Shizumi. Gala personally spearheaded the event's conception, determined to make this dream collaboration a reality after more than two decades. **The Festival's Touches:** Ticket ...

After a seven-year hiatus from the live house circuit, visual kei act **Eve** is making a triumphant return with the *Eve Zepp Tour 2026 "Kaikigen"* (廻帰 — meaning "return" or "circulation"). The band will hit five major Japanese cities across July and August 2026, bringing their theatrical presence back to mid-sized venues that feel more intimate than arena shows. Eve has built a dedicated following in the Western VK community thanks to their striking visual aesthetic and emotionally charged rock sound. Known for blending gothic sensibilities with melodic intensity, the band delivers the kind of elaborate stage presence and introspective songwriting that defines modern visual kei. This tour marks a significant moment for longtime supporters who've watched the band evolve since their debut. The tour follows Eve's arena show *Eve Live 2026 "Re:Smile"* scheduled for May 2026 at Pia Arena MM in Kanagawa, making this a major touring cy...

One of Japan's most anticipated visual kei festivals is back—and bigger than ever. MASKED 2026 has officially revealed its full lineup and released a stunning custom photoshoot featuring all 57 participating vocalists, giving fans an exclusive glimpse at the sheer scale of this year's event. Building on last year's successful inaugural run, MASKED 2026 expands dramatically across three Tokyo venues—Spotify O-EAST, Spotify O-WEST, and duo MUSIC EXCHANGE—over May 22nd and 23rd. The lineup reads like a who's who of the contemporary visual kei scene, blending established legends with rising acts that define where the genre is headed. The photoshoot itself is a visual feast. Day 1 features powerhouses like MUCC (with vocalist Tatsuro's commanding presence), KIZU's Lime, lynch.'s Hazuki, and beloved underground staples such as NOCTURNAL BLOODLUST, BugLug, and DAMNED. D'ESPAIRSRAY's HIZUMI also appears, cementing the event's appeal to both class...