VKNews

Symphonic metal virtuoso KAMIJO is bringing his operatic prowess across Europe this September and October with the *SANCTUARY OF EUROPE* tour—and Western fans have eight major cities to choose from. For those unfamiliar, KAMIJO is the classically trained vocalist and frontman behind the legendary Visual Kei band Versailles, known for blending ornate orchestral arrangements with rock intensity and theatrical grandeur. His solo work maintains that same commitment to baroque-influenced metal and gothic romance that made Versailles essential listening for VK fans worldwide. **Tour dates are as follows:** - **September 23** – Helsinki - **September 24** – London - **September 26** – Madrid - **September 28** – Paris - **September 29** – Cologne - **September 30** – Berlin - **October 2** – Warsaw - **October 3** – Budapest This is a genuinely impressive routing across Northern, Western, and Central Europe—proof that KAMIJO's fanbase extends far beyond Japan. Whether you'...

SHAZNA isn't slowing down in 2026. The legendary Visual Kei pioneers have announced an ambitious release schedule alongside an impressive slate of live performances that'll keep fans busy throughout the year. For those unfamiliar with SHAZNA's legacy: the band emerged from Japan's 1990s Visual Kei golden age, fronted by the charismatic IZAM. Known for theatrical presence and melodic rock sensibilities, they've maintained a devoted following despite numerous lineup changes and hiatuses. Their recent appearance at the CROSS ROAD Fest last November—where they pulled double duty across both festival days alongside La'cryma Christi—proved the band remains a draw for nostalgic VK enthusiasts and newer fans alike. **What's Coming:** Starting July 7, 2026, SHAZNA will roll out six consecutive digital singles over a six-month period. Details on the releases are forthcoming, but this marks a serious commitment to new material. The anniversary celebrations ki...

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...

SUI is taking his solo acoustic project across Latin America this year—and Western fans who've been jealously watching Japanese visual kei artists tour everywhere *except* their region might want to pay attention. The former David and current Fatüm vocalist will headline a series of dates under the tour banner *Visual Kei Lights: Aesthetic Gothic Light Tour*, hitting Brazil (two shows), Mexico, Argentina, and Chile. RIT Agency, the promoter behind this run, is also in negotiations to add Spain to the itinerary, so keep an eye out for further announcements. For those unfamiliar with SUI's solo work: after David disbanded, SUI carved out a distinctive niche performing stripped-back acoustic arrangements of visual kei material. These aren't watered-down versions—they're reimaginings that strip away the band's wall of sound to expose the raw emotion underneath. If you've heard the hype around Miku's recent candlelight acoustic tour (also promoted by RIT), thi...

Cloudy are ramping up their momentum with the announcement of their second full-length album and an ambitious nationwide tour spanning August through November 2026. **できるだけ感動の方へ** (Dekiru Dake Kandō no Hō e) drops August 5, 2026 on the Cloudy label at ¥2,500. This marks the first CD release with the band's current lineup and arrives nearly two years after their debut album. The project compiles previously released digital singles, including "無責任な肯定を" (Musekinin na Kōtei wo), which won the RO JACK audition tournament last year, plus three consecutive monthly releases from early 2026: "サミダレ," "孤軍奮闘歌," and "捧ぐ." The **2nd Album 'Dekiru Dake Kandō no Hō e' Release Tour** kicks off August 15 with a battle-of-the-bands show at Chiba LOOK, sweeping across eight additional regional venues through September. The tour then pivots to a one-man show circuit beginning October 1 at Tokyo's Shibuya WWW X—an added date after the November ...

D'ERLANGER is building momentum toward their 19th anniversary, and they're not holding back. The legendary Visual Kei act has just unveiled the full tracklist, cover artwork, and fresh band photos for their 11th studio album *Evermore*, arriving April 22, 2026—the exact date the band reformed nearly two decades ago. The album drops in two formats. The deluxe CD+DVD edition comes as a premium box set with a photo booklet and exclusive DVD content: unreleased fan club live footage from December 2025, plus three songs from last year's special performance, with bonus material breaking down each band member's individual performance moments. The standard CD edition includes a bonus track, "You're gonna be the one that saves me," absent from the deluxe version. All artwork across both editions was created by band member Tetsu, continuing D'ERLANGER's tradition of maintaining complete creative control. The 10 album tracks span *Evermore*'s full...

Verde/ is ramping up the intensity with a new single and an ambitious spring tour. The band has unveiled fresh visuals for **"Pulse/"**, set to drop April 1st, 2026—a track that pushes the heavy, loud guitar-driven sound they introduced on last year's *OBSIDIAN/* EP even further into cyberpunk and digital dystopia territory. This is Verde/ at their most aggressive. **What to expect from "Pulse/":** The single comes in three formats—luxury edition (¥4,950), live venue edition (¥2,200), and standard CD (¥1,980)—each packed with different bonuses. The standard edition ships with random photo cards and exclusive goodies depending on where you buy it. Tower Records Shinjuku gets a clear file; HMV adds stickers; ULTRA SHIBUYA offers posters. **The Tour Machine:** To support the release, Verde/ is launching the **SPRING CIRCUIT: PULSE / STATIC EDEN** tour with a star-studded supporting lineup: guitarist Yusuke and bassist Hikari from *Matenrou Opera*, plus dr...

Dark wave pioneers sukekiyo are back with fresh material. The band has released a new digital single titled "possess" and unveiled a string of live dates for August 2026, giving fans plenty of reason to anticipate what's coming next from the visually striking outfit. For those new to sukekiyo, the project emerged from the ashes of Merry's dissolution and features members bringing their experience in Japan's darker underground scenes. Known for their brooding aesthetics, intricate arrangements, and theatrical presentation, sukekiyo has carved out a dedicated following among Western VK enthusiasts hungry for music that balances beauty with an underlying sense of unease. Their work sits at the intersection of dark wave, industrial rock, and visual kei sensibilities—making them essential listening for fans of bands like Moi dix Mois or Laleah. The new single "possess" arrives as a digital-only release, dropping on February 26, 2026. While details abou...