Visual Kei

[Flame-X]

I thought it'd be cool we have a visual kei discussion here.

I'll start off with my fav VK bands:
girugamesh
Dir en grey
the GazettE
alice nine
LM.C
D'espairsRay
D
Kagrra
Schwarz Stein

[Cloudy]

12012
176 biz
Alice nine
Ayabie
Gazette
GHOST
Kagrra
Shoujo lolita 23Q
Wizard
Vidoll
Antic cafe
Nightmare

[Cloudy]

Currently listening to over by 12012,my favourite Jrock ballard alongside orion(also done by 12012) and cassis by gazette.

[Nintendo]

X Japan.....the end :D

[Azurexsky]

current fav. are
Naitomea(nightmare)
Kagrra,
kagerou,
miyavi

[patnam]

Nightmare
Malice Mizer (Gackt's Era)

[ayase]

Alice Nine
Phantasmagoria
Vidoll
Merry

[Nicol Armarfi]

I wouldn't call Dir en grey Vk anymore. At all. In fact they dress more like common punks now - but that doesn't really matter.

In any case, the gazettE and alice nine. would definetly be my favourite Vk bands at the moment.

[LhikariL]

Miyavi-(sexiest man on earth)
Dir En grey-(saw them in Feb. 07)
Alice Nine-(the band's gorgeous)
Girugamesh-(would DIE to see)
Kagrra
MUCC
Vidoll
Nightmare-(Death Note!)
An Cafe-(super hyper caffine music! Super Rabbit!)
Gazette-(shmexxors music)
D'espairsRay
Merry
Malice Mizer-(Mana! now currently in his own band)
Maximum the Hormone-(Don't think they are VK, but I found out about them through a VK site)

[Flame-X]

Maximum the Hormone is definetly not VK, they're just hardcore punkers ;p

[Cloudy]

Here are some VK news to share.(although they are old)

GHOST is disbanding in december.T_T

While there is a new bassist joining 176biz,his name is Kouta.^^

[RavenHawk]

X Japan.....the end :D

YEAH!

Mine are only X Japan and Dir en Grey. For me they're the best. I have some of DeG's songs from their album Gauze and a lot of X Japan songs; my favorite would be I'll Kill You, heck I usually start my day by playing that song.

[Flame-X]

speaking of X Japan... they're BACK!

[Cloudy]

Alice nine's 2nd full album,ALPHA and ayabie's latest mini album will be released today(11-28-07)

Meanwhile 12012's 2nd full album,DIAMONDS,will be released on the 12th of december.

[Kenn]

I think Abingdon Boy's School is a VK band. They're headed by T.M. Revolution and so far, they've got 1 album (which rocks).

speaking of X Japan... they're BACK!
Zomg rly?! Must get Yoshiki's autograph!

[MinoriZ]

In no particular order:

Malice Mizer <(`o´<)
alice nine.
Dual Jewel
Vidoll
Nightmare

[lillith_]

No one has named Moi Dix Mois yet :p
great then! I'm the first one to say I love them!! ;)

[Jyukai.]

X Japan is back? Back as in they're coming out with a new album?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!

[Flame-X]

X Japan is back? Back as in they're coming out with a new album?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!

actually they made a new song which is the ending song for SAW IV. the song itself is called IV. you can hear it at Yoshiki's myspace page or just youtube it.

[Cloudy]

Diamonds by 12012 is out!

[lillith_]

Does anyone here like BUCK-TICK?
It's funny how they were so important on the visual kei scene and yet they are so underrated... It's so sad...
I really love them! I think the ONLY japanese person I love better than Atsushi Sakurai (the vocalist of Buck-tick) is Mana-sama :D

[•••Shadow•••]

Never heard of BUCK-TICK.
Wel lfrom VK i like only Moi dix Mois. Maybe a little Malice Mizer amd Gackt himself.

[Flame-X]

BUCK-TICK is definitely one of the oldest visual bands out there and famous too but their music doesn't stand out in the mainstream scene which is why they're underrated.

[Cloudy]

It seems like gazette are designing a jewerlly brand.

http://gc55.jp/campaign/gazette/

I hope they will do the OP song to code geass season 2. =D

[Flame-X]

CRZ_xbn-VQk
girugamesh - Vermillion

Their 2nd full length is out! :O

[Generic Asian Guy]

SHAZNA is amazing =] I'm in love with most of their songs.

Here's a little preview of their new album:

http://youtube.com/watch?v=AC-syTt_9hM

I love the last song played in the link, "[1/2]"

[Rooxy]

Well well... I'll just start writing down my top 10 list then

Jrock-Oshare kei

Antic cafe ... I still miss Bou...T.T
Ayabie

Jrock-Visual kei

Alice nine
Plastic tree
D'espairsRay
Dir En Grey
XJapan
Miyavi
Moon-kana
Gackt (pop and rock)

Clamp-X : Btw they are coming to Sweden in Jan :P ... pretty good actually..

[UzumakiW]

Ayabie
Plastic Tree
Dir en grey (not visual kei anymore)
12012
Blam Honey
D
D'espairs Ray
Deathgaze
Blood Stain Child
Gazette
Girugamesh
Malice Mizer
AnCafe
Alice Nine
Kaggra,
Kagerou
Kana
Mucc
Nightmare
Panic Channel
Smile
Shinkou Shuukyou Gakudan NoGod
Vidoll
- Just to name a few =)

Some of my current favorites are Versialles, D'espairs Ray's song "Squall," and Deathgaze

[Cloudy]

I wonder if anyone here are fans of WIZARD.

I like the vocal.

It is a pity that they are not that popular to begin with.

[UzumakiW]

Wizard is a pretty good band. Not extremely great yet, but I like their music, and I think they're pretty good. If they keep it up, I'm sure they can go on to be a truely great band.

[Flame-X]

I'm not really into visual indies bands unless if its ZOMG AMAZING but maybe i'll give WIZARD a try.

[UzumakiW]

Not sure if anyone knows them, but Deathgaze's new single came out two days ago. just got it and it's so awsome =). Their new vocalist, Ai, who was their old bassist, is an awsome new singer.

[Flame-X]

Not sure if anyone knows them, but Deathgaze's new single came out two days ago. just got it and it's so awsome =). Their new vocalist, Ai, who was their old bassist, is an awsome new singer.

i just listened to it haha. i gotta admit the new vocals aint bad as i thought.

[UzumakiW]

Haha, yeah. He's actually pretty good. I still miss Sou, but Ai is a great replacement. And Naoki has gotten a lot faster and heavier on the drums, and he was already crazy fast to begin with. Great stuff. I can't wait for their single to come out in March. Their new vocalist is re-doing my favorite song, Sinner. Should be awsome =)

[siya]

I haven't listend to many vk bands..but out of the few I've heard, An Cafe is my favorite

[UzumakiW]

AnCafe is a good band. Very upbeat and happy. I'm still a little sad about Bou though
=(.

[Flame-X]

an cafe is ok, i mean the only problem with them is their songs can get boring quick. i prefer Janne Da Arc for happy and upbeat songs.

[UzumakiW]

True, I love AnCafe, but like you said, Janne da Arc is one of the best for happy and upbeat songs.

[Flame-X]

heh

is there anyone here who likes ACID? the band who sanged the OP/ED songs for Tokyo Majin.

[UzumakiW]

ACID is great. I got into them probably a month and a half ago. I've listened to them when they had their current singer, but I haven't listened to them when they had Hideki as a singer.

[Flame-X]

PRAY FOR THE FUTURE was amazing! SEED is such an awesome song, one of my fav guitar solos.

[Ama no Kagaseo]

I had to hop online to post this when I saw it..

For myself, I'm fed up with most new VK bands because they sound the same to me, personally. Same songs, same essential name trends.. And para-para? Wtf? It hurts me.

I stick to the classics.. Dir en grey, Malice Mizer, X, Buck-Tick [Atsushi Sakurai, woot!] etc. Mucc is good, though, probably the newest VK stuff I've listened to and actually enjoyed.

Ah.. As for X coming back I have to check out their new song.. I don't think they'll be the same without hide.:upset:

[UzumakiW]

Pray for the Future was an amazing album. Every song was awsome.

And yeah, you could never replace hide. I'm sure their music is still awsome because it's X, but they can bever replace hide =(

[Flame-X]

I dont know about X Japan's music not being the same without hide because all they have to do is find the guitarist that can play hide's part, but in my opinion, replacing the vocalist wouldn't be the same which pretty much the reason why X Japan disbanded in the first place. ^^;

[Leo_Otaku]

I like a few I have only certain types of music I like I'm picky...

Nightmare
An Cafe
Gazette

As for Janne Da Arc being better for upbeat songs not really...not even like an cafe

[Ama no Kagaseo]

I dont know about X Japan's music not being the same without hide because all they have to do is find the guitarist that can play hide's part, but in my opinion, replacing the vocalist wouldn't be the same which pretty much the reason why X Japan disbanded in the first place. ^^;

Whoa now, I think we're putting a little too much stress on the vocalist [per usual, really.] Don't mind me too much, I'm cool with the fact that the vocalist being the 'voice of the band' and all, but fact of the matter is no band member is replaceable, and their sound changes pretty drastically with every line up change, regardless of the band.




And HONESTLY? I've always found to Yoshiki to be pretty average in talent as far as his voice goes. i.e he doesn't stand out from the crowd all that much. [imho, he lacks the 'it' factor.]

But as previously stated, this is just my opinion. Sorry if I got a little defensive but hide is one of the most inspirational musicians for me.

[Flame-X]

no hard feeling yo. ;)
And HONESTLY? I've always found to Yoshiki to be pretty average in talent as far as his voice goes. i.e he doesn't stand out from the crowd all that much. [imho, he lacks the 'it' factor.]

ara? Yoshiki? if i'm reading that right. o.O
i thought he had the biggest fanbase outta all the members..

[Ama no Kagaseo]

yeah, you read it right, I guess I'm the only one, but oh well. xD to me his voice has always felt good, but generic. I will admit that losing Yoshiki would be a more 'noticeable' change, but no guitarist would have the same charisma, or imo, talent.

I will say Sugizo was a good choice for their tours though.

[Komori]

What's this, no one has listed Luna Sea yet? Blasphemy!

My favorites would have to be:
Luna Sea
Girugamesh
Lolita23q (Mostly for the outfits)
新興宗教楽団NoGoD (See above)
Dir en grey (older stuff, and as said multiple times already, not VK anymore)

I would list some others but I don't think they'd fall into the category.

[Ama no Kagaseo]

Luna Sea was good, not one of my favorites but good none the less. Ryuuichi's solo work on the other hand..

[Flame-X]

I'm having a real tough time getting into Luna Sea. The only song I could get into was Rosier.

[Ama no Kagaseo]

Gravity was pretty good by Luna Sea, I have their single sitting back home. Some of their other songs are also pretty good, although I can't remember any off the top of my head. Over all they're just a little too mellow for my tastes though. u.u

[UzumakiW]

I do enjoy Luna Sea, not one of my favorites, but they were only visual for their first few years, great band none the less =).

[Ama no Kagaseo]

You can't deny that, after all they were one of the forefathers of vizkei. It's just a shame that Buck-Tick isn't recognized on their level, and to me they were such a better band.

[UzumakiW]

Yep, Luna Sea, X-Japan, and Baiser are some that are known for being big contributors of VK. And I agree, Buck-Tick should get more credit for helping boost the VK movement along with the three mentoned. And I also have to agree, I enjoy Buck-Tick more than I do Luna Sea. Buck-Tick has a unique sound.

[Ama no Kagaseo]

I think it's because compared to the other bands Buck-Tick had a more energetic sound, and kind of like Baiser had something that stood out more from the more 'traditional' rock sounds of X Japan, and the mellow sound of Luna Sea.

Probably the one problem they suffer from is that they tend to recycle songs, so there are a few that suffer from sounding the same.

[UzumakiW]

Yeah, that would definetely make a lot of sense.

Yeah, I tend to have noticed that too, but in my opinion, it hasn't stopped them from being a great band for the past 22/23 years

[Ama no Kagaseo]

It's true. xD After that long you can't knock them for producing same-sounding material.

One band I'm endlessly surprised by is the pillows. Although they're not vizkei, they're impressive none the less. They'll hit their twenty year mark in 2009, I believe, and I haven't been disappointed with their music once.

[UzumakiW]

I've heard nothing but good things from them, but I haven't been able to get around to listening to them yet. I need to try and find some music from them because everyone is always saying that they're a really good band.

[Ama no Kagaseo]

Sono Mirai wa Ima (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AStOSp23ofs)
The Third Eye (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DO6K9H9urX8)

Two of my favorite songs, but their sound has really covered endless boundaries since their debut. Jazz, classic rock, etc. It's all there. I think the pillows might be one of Japan's most influential bands outside of the vizkei genre, but that might just be me.

Really crappy quality, but good songs none the less. Worry not, they're on Youtube. No illegal activities here.

[UzumakiW]

I just listened to Sono Mirai wa Ima. Great song. These guys really are good. Thanks for showing me =). Been into J-rock for almost two years and I haven't listened to The Pillows. Kind of sad >.<. I'm glad I have, though. They're really good =).

[Flame-X]

anyone like D'espairsRay? :o

[UzumakiW]

D'espairs Ray is awsome! Their recent album Mirror was awsome, even if it's a little softer than my favorite stuff from them. I'm going to hopefully see them up in Long Beach in April along with Mucc. I'm just waiting for the tickets to go on sale. :)

[Ama no Kagaseo]

Happy to have recruited a new pillows fan. ^o^

As for D'espairs Ray, I didn't care for them much, too screamo. I do enjoy them now and again, though. They're just not as good as other bands like MUCC and Kagerou.

[UzumakiW]

Haha, yeah. I'm going to have to check them out even more later on =)

D'espairs Rays newer stuff isn't that screamo anymore. Some of it is pretty soft. You should check out their song "Squall" sometime. Really soft song, but pretty good. And yeah, I do enjoy Mucc and Kagerou. Too bad Kagerou broke up. Daisuke's new band isn't as good as Kagerou was =(.

[Ama no Kagaseo]

Yeah, that really is a shame. u.u Kagerou was pretty damn good, but alas all the bands that break up are. xD

Maybe I'll get around to checking out D'espair's Ray's new stuff soon, it's just a matter of getting the cash to do so.

[Flame-X]

i wouldnt really call D'espairsRay screamo since they perfectly balance out the singing and screaming/growls but thats just my opinion. lolz

[UzumakiW]

Yeah, a l ot of good bands hae been breaking up lately, and a lot of good members of bands have been leaving.

And you can check out "Squall" on YouTube here:

D'espairs Ray- Squall (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0fVBRHvRLk8)

It one of their more softer songs they've made, and it's actually really good in my opinion.

[Cloudy]

Haha, yeah. I'm going to have to check them out even more later on =)

D'espairs Rays newer stuff isn't that screamo anymore.
This also happened to 12012, their newer stuffs are towards pop rock.

I read from batsu.org that dir en grey performed some of their older songs(songs from the GAUZE and macabre albums) during their tour in Europe,some of them are in acostic version.

[UzumakiW]

Yeah, but with 12012, I'm not a huge fan of their newer stuff. It's good, but not as good as their older stuff.

I think I heard that too. I would love to here some of them. =)

[Flame-X]

hmmm actually 12012's newest album Diamond wasnt so bad even though their new style is unexpected. i really liked LAST TIME and DIAMOND songs the best in the album.

[UzumakiW]

Hmm...I'll have to check it out sometime. I still do love 12012, but I miss when they were heavy and their music was ear piercing =/.

[zalem]

All time favorites:

kein
deadman
Malice Mizer
Lareine
lamiel
galruda
gullet
noir fleurir
Madeth Gray'll
Schwardix Marvally
Syndrome
Aliene Ma'riage
Kagerou
Vidoll
D'espairsRay
Kagrra
X-Japan
older Gackt solo work (before Another World)

Current favorites:
Dolly
Sugar
Versailles
moi dix mois
9goats black out
the studs
Larme d'ange

[UzumakiW]

Versailles

I've been big into Versailles lately too. I just love their elegant metal sound. I love rock/metal bands with an elegant sound like Versailles and D.

[UzumakiW]

I recently listened to Kagrra,'s recent album Core. I loved this album. Great stuff. I've always thought that they had the most addicting music ever, and this album is definetely going to be one I'll be addicted to for a while :)

[Flame-X]

Core is their best album in my opinion. I really liked Yuki Koi Uta and Irodori no sanka.

[UzumakiW]

I'd say it's their best album, however, my favorite thing from them will always be their Sakura single. "Sakura" is one of my favorite all-time songs. And yeah, I loved "Boukyaku no Hate no Kogoeta Kodoku", and "Irodori no Sanka." The PV for "Irodori no Sanka" was great too.

[Cloudy]

I think kagrra is my favourite kagrra album so far,most of the songs are not your usual kagrra songs.

But idori no sanka and shin hyakkiyakou should be placed as the last and first song of the album respectively.

[UzumakiW]

Finally got Deathgaze's recent single Dearest in the mail a few days ago (it took YesAsia long enough). It was great, I loved their song "Dearest." Great stuff, I can't wait for their new single coming out on the 19th. It has them re-doing my favorite song from the original line-up: "Sinner." I can't wait! >.<

[Flame-X]

ai needs to take scream/growl lessons from satoshi(giru) or hizumi(d'espa)

[navab]

Wow, a lot of good bands listed here! thanks for the list guys. I checked out The Pillows and I instantly fell in love, such a wide spectrum of sounds, just what I've been looking for! Pure aural bliss.

[Cloudy]

Recently,I downloaded SCREW's raging blood single and sadie's crinsom tears single and listened to them.

I find both singles are great!

[UzumakiW]

ai needs to take scream/growl lessons from satoshi(giru) or hizumi(d'espa)

Them, or Sou. Yeah, I like Ai, I think he was a good choice as a replacement, but I hope he works on his growls and screams. But yeah, Satoshi is one of my favorite screamer/growler.

[Flame-X]

i've recently got into ACID Black Cherry's album, BLACK LIST. I'm really diggin Murder Licence. lolz

[Seisorayu]

I LOVE Dir en Grey. They are my ....*sigh* ...love. Their songs are awesome *thumb up*--- I also like Phantasmagoria. And Maximum the Hormone *toothy smile * ^^'

[Flame-X]

I think we've went over this...
Maximum the Hormone is NOT vk, they're just hardcore punk rockers.

[UzumakiW]

Yeah, they're not visual kei. They're good, but not visual kei. Although, their PV for Zetsubou Billy confused me at first, since I knew they weren't visual kei, in yet the video starts out with a visual kei band singing a lot of the parts in the first half XD.

[biiru]

Versailles, Rentrer en Soi (Better in old times <3), D'spairsRay, Mix Speaker's, Dio, ClearVeil, SuG and many others bands that I'm actually listen with more frequency than others. I like many VK bands.
I like Dennou Romeo, they were one of my favorites. They've disbanded but I still hope to see Shin in a band again :/

[UzumakiW]

Saw D'espairs Ray and Mucc, as well as another band called The Underneath a few weeks ago. I met all three of the bands, shook their hands, got their autographs, and talked to them. Great night that was. Hizumi is awsome in person, and Tatsurou speaks pretty much perfect English. They were all awsome to meet :) .

[Flame-X]

u lucky bastard! i wanted to go to taste of chaos as well =(

[UzumakiW]

Yeah, it was a great show. Really loved it there. Met some cool people there (that is, people besides the bands).

And yeah, Ayabie is supposed to be coming near where I live, but sadly, I'm going to be gone when they come here to my area. And, of coarse, since they are my favorite band, I', very sad about this :( . Hopefully, since they are coming here for the first time, they will make their way back here in the future.

[Bou]

I am getting in too some Visual Kei bands.

meh.. these are all i like i tried a lot of bands but these are my favorites..

Dir en grey
Antic Café
the GazettE
X-Japan
Alice nine

[ShadowFoX]

Diru!
An-Cafe!
Gazette!
Alice Nine!

All favorites of mine <3

[Miko Miko]

I only listen to An Cafe and Gazzette

[saku-san]

well i like
versailles -meet them at a-kon ^_^ so jappy for that-
nightmare
buck-tick
the candy spooky theather -i love jack spooky-
X japan
Lareine
moi dix mois
an cafe
n those r they only ones i can think off

[Nena]

Visual Kei ftw. =D
◘12012 ◘ an cafe ◘sadie ◘the GazettE ◘DIR EN GREY ◘Nightmare ◘miyavi ◘MUCC ◘alice nine. ◘Kaggra, ◘Girugamesh ◘meth. ◘lynch. ◘Kra ◘Kaya ◘Luna Sea ◘Luvie ◘Danger Gang ◘exist trace ◘D'espairsRay... and more!~ ^__^
and yeah Jack Spooky is kool! <3

[MissMad]

Im going to get DIM (gazette) for christmas ^^
kinda late but Im stilll happy ^^

[Violet2k]

I don't really listen to modern many modern jrock bands. I prefer the older bands like Malice Mizer, Due le Quartz, X Japan, Concerto Moon, hide matsumoto, Sex machineguns, Buck tick, dir en grey's older albums, etc.

The mondern bands I sort of like are Danger Gang and Exist Trace, for the sheer fact they're a sucessful all female band in a male dominated industry and I really think Exist Trace will make a break through, and possibly become one of the first all female bands that actually suceed in Visual kei. Other female bands have failed or broke up like Necro Circus.
I also like Moi Dix Mois, Versailles, and Gackt.

[emotionless_teenage]

currently i hooked up with 'the GazettE'

(great music,awesome intrumental,fvcking perverse lyric)

[Haladflire65]

I love An Cafe and Nightmare...

I like a few of the GazettE's songs but the lyrics sometimes bug me, lol.