VKNews

A fresh face has emerged in the Visual Kei underground: **KYMM (カイム)**, a newly formed band that brings together an intriguing mix of seasoned musicians and creative talent. The lineup features **Yumekawa Minmi** on vocals, who previously fronted MELVEL and YUMELEEP—both bands rooted in the VK underground scene. Minmi brings an established vocal presence and performance experience to the group. On guitar, **Shiina Mio** joins from CANZEL and UNiTE., adding another layer of underground credibility; alongside her is **Yuh** from the long-running Visual Kei act **vistlip**, whose extensive background in the scene should add maturity and musicianship to KYMM's sound. Perhaps most intriguingly, drums are handled by **Fujiwara Kamui**, a character designer and manga artist—a detail that hints at KYMM potentially exploring the theatrical, artistic identity that defines Visual Kei's visual aesthetic as much as its music. This crossover between visual art and music production is quin...

CODOMO DRAGON have released a new live DVD capturing their landmark final show from the "New Standard" one-man tour—a performance that doubled as a celebration of the band's impressive 15-year career. Recorded on November 14, 2025, at Spotify O-EAST in Tokyo, this release documents a pivotal moment for the theatrical Japanese rock outfit. The band's energetic setlist spans 19 tracks, blending fan favorites like "BONEHEAD," "Twilight Discord," and the crushing "HEMLOCK" with deeper cuts and encore performances that showcase their dynamic range as live performers. For those unfamiliar with CODOMO DRAGON, the band has been a fixture in Japan's underground rock scene since their formation, building a loyal following through their visceral live performances and sonically adventurous approach to Visual Kei. Their music combines heavy guitar work, atmospheric synths, and emotive vocal delivery—hallmarks of the genre's contemporar...

Japanese Visual Kei act 私は浮かびながら沈む (Watashi wa Ukabi Nagara Shizumu) is gearing up to unleash their sophomore full-length album, and the tracklist alone promises an introspective, emotionally layered journey through their signature theatrical sound. **日記帳** (Diary) arrives May 2, 2026, with a digital pre-release hitting April 1. The album boasts an impressive 20 tracks—including a booklet-exclusive final cut—that showcase the band's ability to balance haunting atmospherics with raw, visceral energy. Opening with "now loading…" (a fitting metaphor for the sonic experience ahead), the record spirals through an eclectic mix of introspection and melodic chaos. The tracklist reveals Watashi wa Ukabi Nagara Shizumu's thematic complexity. Songs like "manic depression," "病んでる" (I'm Sick), and "脳内lovesong" (Brain Lovesong) hint at the psychological and emotional turbulence the band explores, while tracks such as "route heaven," ...

Visual Kei fans have a reason to mark their calendars: 丑03-USHIMITSU- is gearing up to unleash their debut full-length album this spring. **丑03-USHIMITSU- I** drops on **April 1, 2026**, and this 10-track, 30-minute release marks a significant milestone for the band. While 丑03-USHIMITSU- may still be relatively under the Western radar compared to established VK acts, their theatrical aesthetic and raw energy have been building momentum within the Japanese Visual Kei underground. The band has already been teasing new material through singles like "洗礼yeAH!!×2" (Baptism yeAH!!×2), which showcases their signature blend of melodic hooks and dramatic visual presentation. That track's music video is well worth your time—it captures the band's uncompromising approach to both sound and image. For those unfamiliar with 丑03-USHIMITSU-, they embody the core values of modern Visual Kei: intricate instrumentation, emotionally charged vocals, and a commitment to theatrical prese...

Just when you thought Kizu's new album was finally on the horizon, the Japanese Visual Kei band has pushed back their highly anticipated release once again—but not without giving fans something to sink their teeth into. On March 26, Kizu announced that their upcoming album *Gokuraku Yori Gokujo no Ame* (極楽より極上の雨, literally "Rain More Sublime Than Paradise") will now arrive on August 5, 2026. This marks the second delay for the project; the band previously postponed it from an unannounced date to April 8 back in October 2025. Album delays are never fun, but Kizu is softening the blow with the digital release of two new singles: "JP:PARASITE" and "Houou." For those unfamiliar with Kizu, the Tokyo-based outfit has carved out a distinctive niche within the Visual Kei scene with their blend of aggressive guitar work, theatrical aesthetics, and introspective lyricism. The band has built a loyal international following, particularly among Western VK f...

Nobushige Takahashi is gearing up to deliver his third solo single, and it's shaping up to be a star-studded affair. "Deus benedicat" drops on May 27, 2026, featuring an impressive lineup of guest musicians that speaks volumes about Takahashi's standing in the Japanese underground rock scene. For those unfamiliar with Takahashi, he's a respected figure in Japan's experimental and theatrical rock circles, known for his distinctive vocal presence and willingness to collaborate across genre boundaries. This new single reinforces that reputation by assembling musicians from some genuinely interesting projects. The title track, "Deus benedicat" (Latin for "God bless"), features an all-star ensemble: guitarists 心 (Kokoro) from 天燐 (Tenrin) and こーじ隊長 (Koji-taichou), bassist トゥーサ (Toussa), keyboardist JUNCO, drummer 拓郎 (formerly of Valhalla), and backing vocals from 山口 "AZU" 安澄 (Azumi Yamaguchi). That's a serious amount of musicians...

Rising Visual Kei trio HUMAN ERROR 2 is gearing up for an exciting spring with the simultaneous release of two new digital singles this April. The band—featuring vocalist 大宰 (Dazai), guitarist ナツメ (Natsume), and bassist acta—will drop "幸福人間" (Kōfuku Ningen / Happy Human) and "hate" on all major streaming platforms on April 12, 2026. Alongside the digital release, the band will unveil a brand-new music video and visual imagery for "幸福人間" on the same day, giving fans a full multimedia experience to sink their teeth into. This dual-single approach showcases HUMAN ERROR 2's willingness to explore contrasting sonic and thematic territory—pairing what appears to be an ironically titled uplifting track with a stark, aggressive anthem. For those unfamiliar with the band, HUMAN ERROR 2 represents a fresh voice in the contemporary Visual Kei underground, blending theatrical presentation with visceral rock instrumentation. The group has been steadily building ...