VKNews

Dir En Grey's collaboration with Tower Records Cafe is making a triumphant return—and Western fans should take note of how Japanese record stores celebrate their biggest acts. Due to popular demand, the DIR EN GREY × TOWER RECORDS CAFE takeout bottle collaboration is being revived at two locations this May. Originally launched to commemorate the band's 12th studio album *Mortal Downer*, these limited-edition bottles sold out so quickly that Tower Records decided to bring them back for an encore run. For those unfamiliar with Dir En Grey, they're one of Japan's most influential heavy rock exports—a band that's built a global fanbase through relentless touring, inventive songwriting, and an unmistakable visual identity that blends brutalism with theatrical flair. Their new album *Mortal Downer* showcases the band's evolution while maintaining the sonic intensity their devoted international audience expects. **Here's what you need to know:** The colla...

Visual Kei continues to welcome fresh voices, and RE:lNa is building momentum with their highly anticipated second single. The band will release "届かなかったすべての夜に" (All the Nights That Never Reached) on **July 15, 2026**. RE:lNa represents an intriguing collision of established VK talent, bringing together seasoned musicians from respected acts within the scene. The lineup features vocalist Kei leading the charge, with guitarist 華雪-Kayuki- (formerly of 2nd Dyz) providing melodic firepower alongside Tokkiy from Ru:natic on second guitar. The rhythm section is anchored by bassist Hiromaru。(ex-Gimmick.) and drummer 玲眞-Shima- (formerly of Xirclett), creating a well-rounded ensemble that blends experience with creative vision. The band's first single generated considerable interest within the Western VK fanbase, and anticipation is building around what direction "届かなかったすべての夜に" will take. The title—which translates to something deeply introspective about unreached...

One of Visual Kei's most respected session projects is making a rare comeback. KISAKI PROJECT feat.ryo will reunite for a special one-day event, bringing together some of the scene's most skilled musicians for what promises to be an unmissable performance. The project centers on ryo, a vocalist with an impressive resume spanning D'ELSQUEL, 9GOATS BLACK OUT, HOLLOWGRAM, DÄLLE, and H.U.G. He'll be joined by KISAKI on bass—a musician best known for his work with Phantasmagoria and MIRAGE—alongside support guitar from HIZAKI, the virtuoso formerly of Versailles, SULFURIC ACID, Schwardix Marvally, and Jupiter. Completing the lineup are guitarist Iyoda Kohei from THE GENIUS ORCHESTRATION and drummer Ryota Moritani (ex.GLARD). This is the kind of all-star collaboration that Visual Kei fans live for: seasoned musicians from beloved bands uniting for something special. KISAKI's session projects have consistently attracted top-tier talent, and this lineup is no exception. ...

The Novembers are gearing up for a fresh release this spring: the atmospheric quartet has announced their new EP *合奏する、エンジン* (Ensemble Engine), arriving **May 20, 2026**. If you haven't encountered The Novembers yet, they're a Japanese rock band known for their moody, introspective soundscapes and layered instrumental arrangements. Their music sits at the intersection of post-rock sensibilities and emotional depth—think cinematic guitar work paired with introspective vocals. They've built a dedicated international following among fans who appreciate nuance and atmosphere in their rock music. The new EP features four tracks: 1. HERO 2. The Singing Engines 3. 遥か彼方 (Far Away) 4. 合奏 -Hold me Hold me Hold me- (Ensemble) That tracklist hints at the EP's thematic direction: "The Singing Engines" and the finale's title track suggest themes of collaboration, movement, and interconnection. The poetic Japanese track titles add to the atmospheric quality ...

Rising Visual Kei act 泥眼 (Deigan) has unveiled a striking new single that showcases the band's signature blend of theatrical aesthetics and dynamic musicianship. The track "恋文" (Love Letter) marks another compelling release from the Tokyo-based outfit, and it's well worth your attention. For those unfamiliar with Deigan, the band has been building steady momentum within the Japanese Visual Kei underground scene. Known for their polished production, intricate guitar work, and front-man 累 (Rui)'s commanding vocal presence, they represent the contemporary wave of VK acts pushing the genre forward with both reverence for tradition and fresh creative vision. The new song features the full band lineup: vocalist 累 (Rui), guitarist 不律 (Furitsu), support guitarist ALu, bassist 沙夜 (Sayo), and drummer Ayuto. This configuration has proven potent on previous releases, and "恋文" demonstrates why their fanbase continues to grow. The track balances melodic sensibility...

Former Janne Da Arc vocalist ka-yu is stepping into a bold new chapter with the announcement of his debut full-length album *OUTSET*, arriving June 20, 2026. This marks a major milestone for the singer, who relaunched his solo career in January 2024. *OUTSET* arrives as a comprehensive statement of intent—a 12-track collection that distills over two years of creative work since ka-yu's musical rebirth. The album blends four previously-released 2025 singles (re-recorded with new drum arrangements and mixing) alongside eight fresh compositions. Notably, some tracklist entries were chosen directly by fan vote, making this a true listener-participation project. Guitar work and arrangements on the new material come courtesy of Kyrie (ex-NoGoD), while drummer CHARGEEEEEE… anchors the full release. Five editions are available: a members-only variant with signed outer sleeve (¥4,400), limited TYPE A with custom CD player (¥12,100, available in clear or red), TYPE B with acrylic dog...

Swiss Visual Kei outfit Fatüm is officially stepping into the spotlight with their long-awaited debut CD, arriving June 24th under their freshly minted independent imprint, Vox Division, with distribution handled by CREAM Entertainment. The band—comprising members SUI and HIDE-ZOU—are wasting no time making an impression. Alongside the CD announcement comes their debut music video for "Canary," which dropped online and offers Western fans their first official glimpse at Fatüm's sonic identity and visual direction. Check it out above. **What You're Getting:** The *Canary* release comes in two distinct editions, each packing five tracks and priced at 2,500 yen: - **Lumina ver.** (VDCD-001) — the "light" edition - **Tenebra ver.** (VDCD-002) — the "shadow" edition This dual-version approach is classic Visual Kei strategy, giving collectors reason to grab both and creating aesthetic symmetry that mirrors the band's theatrical sensibilities. ...

When MALICE MIZER released merveilles l'espace in 2002, they were operating at the intersection of their most theatrical ambitions and technical mastery. This DVD release captures a band in full command of their visual and sonic identity—a documentation of gothic elegance that remains one of Visual Kei's most compelling live documents. The presentation itself is immaculate. The production value reflects MALICE MIZER's obsession with creating immersive theatrical experiences rather than straightforward concert recordings. Every frame is meticulously composed, with elaborate stage design, intricate costume work, and careful lighting that transforms the performance into a gothic cathedral of sound and vision. This attention to detail is quintessential MALICE MIZER, but it never overshadows the musicianship on display. Sonically, the setlist balances the band's baroque-influenced melodicism with their heavier, more aggressive gothic metal edge. Mana's keyboard w...

April 2026 is absolutely PACKED with visual kei goodness, and we're thrilled to guide you through this month's most essential releases and announcements! From highly anticipated debut albums and sophomore releases to unexpected comebacks, jaw-dropping rebrands, and dark new music videos, the scene is firing on all cylinders this month with everything from established legends like DIR EN GREY and MUCC to explosive newcomers like 丑03-USHIMITSU- and Strawberry Song Orchestra. Kizu — Kizu Release Two New Singles as Album Postponed to August 丑03-USHIMITSU- — 丑03-USHIMITSU- Debut Album "I" Coming April 2026 CODOMO DRAGON — CODOMO DRAGON Release Tour Final Live DVD あの子の部屋のカレンデュラは — あの子の部屋のカレンデュラは Debut: Five Singles & First Live Vertigo — Vertigo Release 5th Demo Single "誘月" in April 2026 Litchi☆Hikari CLUB x machine "Rendez-vous" Split — Litchi☆Hikari CLUB x machine ...

April 2026 Month in Review: Reunions, Supergroups & the Sound of Tomorrow April was the month Visual Kei stopped playing it safe—legends returned, new blood arrived, and the underground roared louder than ever.

Fresh energy is coming to the Visual Kei scene with unRealless's first EP, and it's arriving sooner than you might think. **unRealless** will drop their debut EP **"NETWORK SYNDROME"** on **May 1st, 2026**. This four-track, 15-minute release marks an exciting entry point into a band that's already generating buzz among Western VK fans. The band features: - **MINOLi** (Vocals) - **綾人 / Ayato** (Guitar) - **青 / Sei** (Bass) - **JuuN** (Drums) While unRealless hasn't been in the Western spotlight for long, they're part of a wave of newer Visual Kei acts bringing theatrical intensity and avant-garde sensibilities to Japan's rock underground. Their sound bridges the gap between melodic composition and experimental edge—exactly what keeps the Visual Kei movement alive and evolving. The **"NETWORK SYNDROME"** teaser already dropped on YouTube, giving fans a first taste of what to expect. Based on the preview, the band isn't afraid of at...

A fresh collaborative project is on the horizon for Visual Kei fans: ANI-V, a new dual-vocal unit, will drop their debut digital single "Magical Lovely Caramel Pop" (マジカル・ラブリー・キャラメルポップ) on **May 11, 2026**. The project brings together two seasoned vocalists from the Japanese underground rock scene. **Natsuhiko**, who previously fronted the Visual Kei acts Zakuro, UNDER, and 地球侵略 鬼ON (Chikyuu Shinryaku Oni ON), pairs with **Cahier**, also a former member of 地球侵略 鬼ON. This shared history suggests a natural chemistry and understanding of each other's vocal dynamics—a strong foundation for any new musical venture. While details remain sparse at this stage, the project's playful, pop-inflected title hints at a lighter, more experimental direction than some of their previous work, though ANI-V's exact sonic identity will become clearer once the single drops. The pairing of two male vocalists in the VK sphere is always intriguing, and fans of theatrical, characte...