VKNews

Dir En Grey fans rejoice—the legendary visual kei pioneers are heading to Nico Nico Live for an unmissable special broadcast celebrating their latest album, *MORTAL DOWNER*. For those unfamiliar, Dir En Grey stands as one of visual kei's most influential and artistically ambitious acts. Since their formation in 1997, the Tokyo quintet—fronted by the commanding Kyo alongside guitarists Kaoru and Die, bassist Toshiya, and drummer Shinya—have pushed boundaries with visceral live performances, evolving soundscapes, and conceptually rich releases that blend extreme metal textures with avant-garde sensibilities. The three-part broadcast campaign kicks off with archive footage. Parts One and Two have already aired, showcasing exclusive performances from their "25th Anniversary Tour 22" and the "PHALARIS Vol. I" setlist (recorded at Osaka's Namba Hatch in July 2023). If you missed them, both videos remain available via timeshift until mid-May—though you'...

Kyoto's theatrical Visual Kei outfit Hakubi is expanding their signature summer festival into a two-day extravaganza this August, with the first wave of performers now officially confirmed. **Kyoto Geigeki 2026** marks the first time the event will span multiple days. On August 10th, Hakubi will headline a solo show at their home venue KYOTO MUSE, followed by a circuit event across two locations on August 11th that includes both KYOTO MUSE and the intimate live house 磔磔 (Tarutaru). The first batch of confirmed artists showcases a mix of established allies and emerging talent. Long-time collaborators **TETORA** return for another year, while **Krenazm** (who toured with Hakubi on the *SPLIT ASIA TOUR 2026* earlier this spring) brings fresh energy to the lineup. **Yutori** makes their second appearance in two years, rounding out the touring circuit with local Kyoto acts **hananashi** and **猫は液体** (Neko wa Ekitai). More artists will be announced in future waves. For those unf...

DIV is taking a strategic step back. The reformed Visual Kei act has announced they'll enter a "recharge period" starting November 22, 2026, with the entire year of 2027 dedicated to creative development rather than live performances. Before they disappear into the studio, though, they're embarking on a crucial final tour. For those unfamiliar with DIV: the band reunited in 2023 after a significant hiatus, with vocalist CHISA and drummer satoshi leading the charge. Their reformed era has been marked by a return to touring and renewed creative energy—but now they're ready to evolve again. The **PRE-RECHARGE ONEMAN TOUR** kicks off September 25, 2026, spanning nine shows across Japan, from regional cities to the Tokyo finale at Shibuya WWW X on November 22. This tour isn't just a farewell lap—it's positioned as a crucial series that presents where DIV stands now while setting the stage for what comes next. Think of it as the band taking stock before ...

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...

BUCK∞TICK are pulling out all the stops to celebrate a major milestone. The legendary Japanese Visual Kei pioneers have announced **Ruby Horizon 60**, a one-man live performance dedicated to vocalist and multi-instrumentalist Hoshino Hidehiko's 60th birthday, taking place on **June 16, 2026** at SGC HALL ARIAKE in Tokyo. This marks BUCK∞TICK's first headlining show of 2026, making it a particularly significant event for the band's dedicated fanbase. Tickets are priced at ¥11,000 (tax included) and will include an exclusive venue gift distributed after the show. Fan club members who maintain "W-member" status (registered with both the official fan club FISH TANK *and* the LOVE & MEDIA PORTABLE mobile site) get early access starting April 8, 2026, while general ticket sales open May 30. **About BUCK∞TICK:** Formed in the late 1980s, BUCK∞TICK stands as one of Visual Kei's most influential acts, alongside contemporaries like X Japan and LUNA SEA. Kno...

CODOMO DRAGON have released a new live DVD capturing their landmark final show from the "New Standard" one-man tour—a performance that doubled as a celebration of the band's impressive 15-year career. Recorded on November 14, 2025, at Spotify O-EAST in Tokyo, this release documents a pivotal moment for the theatrical Japanese rock outfit. The band's energetic setlist spans 19 tracks, blending fan favorites like "BONEHEAD," "Twilight Discord," and the crushing "HEMLOCK" with deeper cuts and encore performances that showcase their dynamic range as live performers. For those unfamiliar with CODOMO DRAGON, the band has been a fixture in Japan's underground rock scene since their formation, building a loyal following through their visceral live performances and sonically adventurous approach to Visual Kei. Their music combines heavy guitar work, atmospheric synths, and emotive vocal delivery—hallmarks of the genre's contemporar...

ユナイト (UNiTE.) is pulling together their finest moments for fans this summer with the upcoming release of their new best album, **HOPES #3**. For those unfamiliar with the band, UNiTE. has been a fixture in Japan's Visual Kei underground since the early 2010s, known for their theatrical sound design, emotionally charged vocals, and the kind of intricate arrangements that reward repeated listens. They've cultivated a dedicated fanbase both domestically and internationally by refusing to compromise their artistic vision—a hallmark of the true VK spirit. **HOPES #3** arrives on **July 8, 2026**, priced at ¥5,000 (roughly $35 USD). The 13-track compilation features a mix of fan favourites and standout deep cuts, showcasing the band's range across nearly a decade of material: The tracklist opens with "world wide wish" and includes several fan-beloved anthems like "universe," "silence dreamer," and "BadRequest." Notably, the album a...

vistlip are raising the stakes with their most introspective and musically ambitious album yet. *DAWN*, arriving April 1st, 2026, marks a major statement from the five-piece visual kei outfit—and the band is pulling out all the stops to introduce it to the world. For those unfamiliar, vistlip formed back in 2007 and have spent nearly two decades building a reputation for theatrical, dynamic live shows and increasingly sophisticated songwriting. After going independent in 2023 and releasing the concept album *THESEUS* last January, they're now ready to unveil their next chapter. **What Makes DAWN Special** This 13-track album represents a band-wide creative effort: every instrumentalist contributed to the compositions, resulting in genuine sonic variety across the record. Vocalist 智's lyrics cut deeper than ever before, drawing from raw personal introspection and delivering what the band describes as "the sharpest message in vistlip's history." The lead s...