VKNews

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...

DEZERT have reached a major milestone. The Tokyo-based visual rock band has completed their historic first tour of all 47 prefectures in Japan—and they're already looking ahead to their next chapter. The band celebrated this achievement with a grand finale concert at Makuhari Messe Event Hall, where they delivered 21 songs spanning their catalog. Most notably, they premiered a brand-new track called "音楽" (Music), produced by Ken of L'Arc-en-Ciel, during their first-ever double encore. The song is both a statement piece about the band's relationship with music itself and a love letter to everyone who's walked alongside them—and judging by the crowd sing-along, it landed perfectly. This was DEZERT's second arena-scale show, following their Japan Budokan performance two years ago, signaling their growing momentum in the Japanese rock scene. But here's where it gets exciting: immediately after the finale, the band announced two major touring campa...

Iconic gothic metal act Kaya is ready to expand their discography with a brand-new single, *WORLD*, arriving in both streaming and physical formats this spring. For those discovering Kaya for the first time, the band has been a cornerstone of the Visual Kei and gothic metal scene since their formation. Known for their atmospheric, melancholic sound and theatrically dark aesthetic, Kaya has built a devoted international fanbase through emotionally resonant compositions and cinematic production values. The *WORLD* single will hit streaming platforms on **April 20, 2026**, followed by a physical CD+DVD edition on **May 20, 2026** (priced at ¥2,500). The release features three tracks: the title song "WORLD" (written by Aoi Haru), "Queendom" (composed by Euskyss), and "BLESS" (lyrics by Kaya, music by Hora). This collaborative approach—bringing in external songwriters—suggests an exciting creative direction for the band. All three songs will receive fu...

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...

Two of Japan's most exciting young Visual Kei acts are joining forces. CHAQLA. and sugar have announced a co-headlining two-man tour titled **"SWEET SIX SENSE"** hitting three venues across the greater Tokyo region this summer. **Who Are These Bands?** CHAQLA. has built a reputation as one of VK's most visually distinctive acts, crafting a signature sound through meticulously detailed music, costumes, and artwork that set them apart even within the genre. Their appeal extends well beyond Japan's shores, with a growing international fanbase. Meanwhile, sugar proved their momentum earlier this year when they sold out their January 3rd one-man free live at Ebisu LIQUID ROOM—a major statement for an emerging band. Despite their different aesthetics, both bands share comparable activity histories and band structures, yet each has carved out completely distinct stylistic territory. The clash between these two rising stars promises to be essential viewing for an...

A fresh chapter in the Visual Kei underground is unfolding with the emergence of ラルン -LA LUNE- (La Lune), a new project that brings together members from beloved disbanded acts. The band has announced their debut digital single, "今宵、リリスで逢いましょう" (Tonight, Let's Meet at Lilith), set for release on March 20, 2026. La Lune features LUNA on vocals, formerly of the theatrical Visual Kei act Bedtime Story, whose haunting vocal delivery defined much of that project's mystique. Anchoring the rhythm section is 雪兎 (Yukito) on bass, previously active in MAD Night—a name familiar to those who followed the deeper corners of Japan's underground rock scene. This pairing of seasoned musicians signals serious intent; both members bring years of experience navigating the demands of VK's elaborate live performances and intricate compositions. The single's title, "Tonight, Let's Meet at Lilith," carries an intriguing mystique befitting the project's a...

Dir en grey have dropped the full album artwork and tracklist for MORTAL DOWNER , their 12th studio album due April 8, 2026. The cover — unveiled via the band's official Instagram — is exactly what you'd expect from Dir en grey at their most cinematic: a robed, cone-hatted figure silhouetted in a portal of harsh light, set against a desolate landscape and framed by dense, ink-etched illustrations of insects and writhing organic forms. Dark, apocalyptic, and unmistakably theirs.