VKNews

If you've ever wondered what goes on behind the velvet curtain of visual kei's biggest productions, MASKED just gave you an all-access pass. The collective has released a two-part documentary capturing the making of their ambitious MASKED 2026 photoshoot—a massive undertaking that brought together 47 vocalists from across the contemporary visual kei scene. These aren't just any artists; they represent the current wave of talent pushing the movement forward, from established names to rising acts defining the sound and aesthetics of modern VK. The documentary is split across two episodes (DAY1 and DAY2), offering raw footage from the photoshoots themselves, candid interviews with participating artists, and their reflections on the state of visual kei as a whole. It's the kind of high-production-value content that's genuinely rare in the VK community—most behind-the-scenes material tends to be rough bootlegs or brief clips. This is slick, well-edited, and genui...

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...