VKNews

A fresh supergroup has emerged from the Visual Kei underground, and the roster is stacked with familiar faces. ANCIENT MYTH has officially announced its complete lineup, bringing together experienced musicians from across the scene for what promises to be an intriguing new chapter. Fronting the project is **Michal** on vocals, formerly of Mandylion and known by the codename Wingless. On guitar, **kaya** from kNeon brings technical prowess, while **Hal** of Ethereal Sin commands the keyboard. The rhythm section pairs **Raimu**—fresh from his time in DiAMiLiON and also a kNeon member—on bass with **Shibuki** from Omelas on drums. What makes ANCIENT MYTH particularly intriguing is how it bridges different corners of the Visual Kei community. Raimu's addition to the lineup marks an exciting next move after his work with DiAMiLiON, and his presence alongside such a cohesive ensemble suggests this is more than just a casual side project. The combination of Michal's vocal expe...

Visual Kei outfit HAKANAKI is moving forward with fresh material this spring. The band has announced their fourth digital single, "Sakura Graphy" (サクラグラフィー), arriving on March 23, 2026. The single will be distributed via TuneCore Japan and clocks in at approximately five minutes. While details about the track's sound and production remain sparse, the artwork teases a moody aesthetic consistent with HAKANAKI's theatrical Visual Kei sensibilities. For those unfamiliar with HAKANAKI, the band has carved out a distinctive niche within the Visual Kei scene with their dramatic arrangements and emotionally charged performances. Their previous digital releases have showcased their commitment to exploring darker, more introspective territory—blending heavy instrumentation with haunting melodies that resonate with Western VK fans drawn to bands like Nightmare and DIAURA. The release of "Sakura Graphy" marks another milestone in their ongoing creative journey....

After years away from the stage, legendary Visual Kei act CHELSEA is making a triumphant return—but only for one night. The band has announced a special one-day revival live performance scheduled for **July 7, 2026**. This marks a significant moment for fans of the group, who have been waiting for any sign of activity from the iconic outfit. CHELSEA emerged during the height of the Japanese Visual Kei movement, establishing themselves as a key player in the scene with their theatrical presentation and hard-hitting rock sound. Like many VK bands from their era, CHELSEA built a devoted fanbase through their energetic live performances and distinctive aesthetic that perfectly captured the genre's androgynous, elaborate visual identity. The announcement of even a single-day return is cause for celebration among longtime supporters. Details about the venue, ticket information, and setlist have not yet been confirmed, but interested fans should keep an eye on official channels for fu...

The Visual Kei world is mourning the loss of a legend. LUNA SEA's drummer Shunya (真矢), who passed away in February at age 56 after a battle with cancer, is being honored through a special rebroadcast of his television appearances on the variety show "Kamaitachi" (かまいガチ). Starting today, March 17, two episodes featuring Shunya will air on both TVer and ABEMA for a limited two-week window. The rebroadcast includes segments titled "Mastering 'ROSIER'" and "Budokan Live Behind-the-Scenes" (前後編), celebrating his infectious personality and legendary drumming skills that made him a beloved figure both on and off stage. **Who Was Shunya?** Born in 1970 in Kanagawa Prefecture, Shunya's musical foundation was rooted in traditional Japanese arts. Raised by a Noh theatre performer, he developed an early appreciation for rhythm through Noh and festival taiko drumming before formally studying drums in high school. When LUNA SEA formed in 1989, S...

What a week for Visual Kei. Between legacy acts honoring their fallen and fresh blood dropping debut videos, this was the kind of news cycle that reminds you why we're all obsessed with this scene. **The Heavy Hitters Are Moving** LUNA SEA absolutely dominated the headlines by launching their massive 33-show national tour in honour of late drummer Shnya—a deeply moving tribute that's already resonating across the fanbase. Meanwhile, the GazettE made waves (and raised eyebrows) with guitarist Aoi's departure, marking a significant shift for one of VK's most iconic acts. These aren't just roster changes; they're watershed moments for bands that shaped the genre. On the brighter side, NIGHTMARE unveiled a fresh visual style alongside their 33rd single "Reach for," proving that even decades-deep veterans know how to keep things visually sharp. And Sadie is celebrating 21 years with "BLACK FUNERAL" at Zepp Shinjuku this March—a testament to un...

the god and death stars just made a major move for Western fans: they've uploaded their entire back catalogue—66 songs spanning three EPs, three full-length albums, and singles collections—to all major streaming platforms for the first time ever. This is a landmark moment for the Tokyo-based band, whose music has previously only been available through live performances and physical releases. The timing is strategic. The band is kicking off their spring national tour, *JAPAN TOUR 2026 SPRING "林檎に剃刀 (Ringo ni剃刀) - もうすぐ地獄ですね (Mōsugu Jigoku Desu Ne)"* starting March 21st, and this streaming rollout gives international listeners a chance to get acquainted with their catalogue before the tour hits Tokyo in April. **About the Band** the god and death stars formed in 2011 around frontman aie (vocals, guitar), known in Japanese rock circles as "Tokyo's busiest guitarist" due to his relentless activity across multiple bands and solo projects. The rhythm secti...

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...

There's something deeply satisfying about hearing BUCK-TICK's vision rendered in analog warmth. *Kurutta Taiyou* (Mad Sun) arrives as a limited vinyl pressing that feels less like a reissue and more like a deliberate sonic statement—a band at the twilight of their legendary career choosing to immortalize their work in the format that best captures their orchestral darkness. Released in 2026, this album sits intriguingly late in BUCK-TICK's discography, yet it doesn't feel like the work of artists running on fumes. Instead, Sakurai Atsushi and company sound reinvigorated, channeling decades of Gothic rock mastery into something that bridges their 1990s industrial-tinged peak with contemporary production sensibilities. The analog pressing amplifies what makes this record special: a tangible, almost tactile quality to the synths, guitars, and Sakurai's characteristically theatrical vocals. The record's opening immediately establishes its aesthetic—a collisi...

ELFENSJóN are preparing to cast a spell on listeners with their upcoming EP *HEXMAGIA*, arriving in physical format on March 14, 2026, followed by digital distribution on March 18. For those unfamiliar with the project, ELFENSJóN blends symphonic and gothic aesthetics with theatrical visual presentation—a hallmark of Japan's experimental metal underground. The band crafts immersive soundscapes that marry orchestral arrangements with heavy instrumentation, positioning them within the broader visual and avant-garde metal community that overlaps with Visual Kei's more experimental edges. *HEXMAGIA* delivers six original tracks across two discs. The first disc presents the full vocal versions: 1. AshVeit 2. Farmëc 3. 面影は白い雪 (*The white snow's lingering shadow*) 4. 輪郭を辿れば (*If we trace the silhouette*) 5. 烙日に綴る (*Written on the burned day*) 6. Hexen Noir A clever twist: Disc 2 mirrors the tracklist entirely with instrumental "Voiceless" versions, giving ...

After two decades of crafting atmospheric and emotionally complex Visual Kei, **heidi.** is ready to look back—way back. The band will release *MUSEUM*, a comprehensive 20th anniversary best-album, on **June 16, 2026**. For those unfamiliar with heidi., they've long occupied a distinctive corner of the VK landscape: introspective, melancholic, and unafraid of experimental arrangements. Their sound sits somewhere between the theatrical grandeur of traditional Visual Kei and the introspective indie sensibilities that define the underground scene. Two decades is no small feat in a genre known for dramatic breakups and lineup upheavals, so this milestone deserves celebration. *MUSEUM* arrives as a double disc, each with its own conceptual framing. **Disc 1 ("Motion")** spans 15 tracks and leans into the kinetic, dynamic side of their catalog—songs like "白昼夢" (Daydream), "街角慕情" (Corner Affection), and "流星ダイヴ" (Meteor Dive) promise to deliv...

A fresh face has arrived in the Visual Kei scene. On February 11, 2026, emerging band FUR unveiled their debut music video for "RU-TU-TU"—and it's a statement of intent. The track showcases exactly what draws fans to Visual Kei: theatrical presentation paired with infectious energy. Draped in grand, elegant attire that channels the movement's signature aesthetic, FUR delivered a fun, upbeat sound wrapped in the kind of visual spectacle that defines the genre. The band members radiate confidence throughout the video, performing with the polish you'd expect from a group that clearly understands the VK playbook. For those unfamiliar with FUR, they represent the wave of new talent continuing Visual Kei's legacy in the 2020s. While details about the band's lineup and formation remain sparse, their debut offering proves they've got both the look and the musicality to turn heads. The "RU-TU-TU" video is a colorful, engaging introduction that...

One of visual kei's most ambitious experimental projects is back—and this time, it's pushing the scene's theatrical boundaries even further. MASKED 2026, the festival that celebrates visual kei as "unbound, unlimited, and free," is taking over Tokyo's Shibuya district with a two-day event featuring artists in completely reimagined looks and unexpected collaborations. The MASKED project has always thrived on artistic reinvention—it's the kind of event where visual kei musicians step outside their established band identities to explore new aesthetics, makeup styles, and sonic territories. This year's lineup showcases some of the scene's most creative acts, including Codomo Dragon's Ryouta, Onigashima's Kouki, D◎out's Ryoga, Razor's Haru, Dog in the PWO's Haru, and Nocturnal Bloodlust's Hiro, each bringing their own twist to the festival's experimental spirit. The two-day festival spans three venues across Shibuya—S...

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...

Petit Brabancon is building anticipation for an upcoming single with a theatrical twist—and fans on the band's current tour will get the first listen before anyone else. The Visual Kei outfit has announced a new single titled "haunted house," composed by drummer yukihiro. The track isn't entirely new to those who caught Petit Brabancon's live performances last year; the band debuted the song during their 2025 tour run, but an official release date for the studio version remains under wraps. What we do know is that concert attendees at the band's ongoing "If You Just Stare Then Headbang or [...]" tour will receive an exclusive early preview—a smart move that rewards the loyal fans showing up in person while building buzz ahead of a formal announcement. For those unfamiliar with Petit Brabancon, the Tokyo-based act blends Visual Kei's signature theatrical presentation with intricate musicianship and darkly poetic aesthetics. The band has cu...

Former Girugamesh drummer Ryo Trackmaker is back with fresh material—and it's called "TOXIC." The solo artist, best known for his work behind the kit in the Japanese metalcore/visual kei crossover outfit **Girugamesh**, has just dropped a brand-new single bearing that provocative title. Released on March 9, 2026, via TuneCore Japan, "TOXIC" marks another step in Ryo's independent journey since his departure from the band. For those unfamiliar with Ryo's background: Girugamesh was a powerhouse act in the 2000s Japanese underground scene, blending visual kei aesthetics with heavy metalcore riffage and prog influences. The band built a dedicated following for their technical prowess and theatrical presentation before their lineup shifted in the mid-2010s. Since then, Ryo has been carving out his own path as a solo artist and collaborator—proving that the drumming skills and creative vision that made him an asset to Girugamesh are far from diminished. ...

In a deeply moving turn of events, legendary Visual Kei pioneers LUNA SEA have announced a comprehensive 2026 national tour, beginning 29 May—the band's formation anniversary—honouring the memory of their irreplaceable drummer Shnya, who passed away on 17 February at age 61. The announcement came during a rescheduled performance at Tokyo Ariake Arena on 12 March, originally intended for December 2023. The concert held profound significance: Shnya had spent months in rehabilitation, determined to perform even a single phrase on drums. Though he was unable to take the stage that evening, his presence remained tangible—his brand-new YAMAHA drum kit was positioned onstage alongside support drummer Atsushi's setup, a visual testament to his enduring spirit. The kit marked a symbolic return to the band's roots; YAMAHA drums were used during LUNA SEA's debut era, including their iconic rotating drum setup. Shnya's final message—"Please don't stop LUNA SEA...