ヴィジュアル系 (Visual Kei) started to form in Japan in the 1980’s, creating a genre where the visual performance of the artist is just as important as the music they make. The name itself is derived from the slogan “Psychedelic Violence Crime of Visual Shock”, which was seen on the cover of X Japan’s second studio album “Blue Blood”, released in 1989.
By combining the often flamboyant and androgynous looks with their music, these artists tell the story of their works in a more theatrical way than other genres worldwide often do. The visual presentation also allows these artists to express themselves individually in their own creative style.
While ヴィジュアル系 (Visual Kei) is the “top” of the genre, there are a lot of artists who can’t be categorized in any of it’s many subgenres but still have the ヴィジュアル系 (Visual Kei) style in their works. That’s why we’ve collected them here, as well as bands from other countries that have been inspired by this unique genre.
During the European tour in April of last year, we already got to sit down with Kiwamu for an interview regarding the tour and the activities of BLOOD at that time. But as mentioned in that interview, Kiwamu is probably just as known for his activities as the owner of not one, but two record labels in Japan:
ミサルカ (Misaruka) are about to release their first mini-album, titled “-Juliet-“, on January 30, 2013!
The album will be released through Starwave Records, and even though the official release date is set for late January you can secure a copy early starting at January 16 at live shows.
Calmando Qual are about to release their new single, titled “闇を貫く激情の輝き” (Yami wo Tsuranuku Geikijou no Kagayaki), on January 30, 2013!
The single will be released through Starwave Records, and even though the official release date is set for the end of January, you can get a copy early
ミサルカ (Misaruka) are about to release the second press version of their single “Epilogue -Merrow-” on December 19, 2012!
The single will be released through Starwave Records, and… the original version of the single was livehouse & mail order limited, so there is no way to obtain
THE SOUND BEE HD are about to release their new mini-album, titled “cross”, on January 23, 2013!
The album shall be released through Starwave Records and… this time there is no way to secure your copy early at live shows.
Starwave Records has published the following comment about
Rose Noire are about to release their third mini-album, titled “Neo Renaissance -2nd movement-” on December 12, 2012!
The album will be released by Darkest Labyrinth, and even though the official release date is set for mid December you can secure your copy as early as November 10 during
umbrella are about to release their second mini album, titled “モノクローム” (Monokuromu), on November 21, 2012!
The album will be released through Starwave Records, and even though the official release date is set for late November, you can secure a copy as early as October 2nd during live
Magistina Saga are about to release their second full album, titled “The tone of temptation”, on November 21, 2012!
The album will be released through Starwave Records, and even though the official release date is set for late November you can secure your copy early starting at September
ミサルカ (Misaruka) are about to release their new livehouse & mail order limited single, titled “-Epilogue Merrow-“, on October 24, 2012!
The single will be released through Starwave Records, and even though the official release date is set for the end of October, you can secure your
Capella are about to release their first single, titled “移り変わる世界の成長点” (Utsuri Kawaru Sekai no Seichouten), on October 31, 2012!
The single will be released through Starwave Records, and even though the official release date is set for late October you can secure your copy early starting
COLD+SLEEP is the solo project of SEN, who is also active in the band marlee.
Following the pattern of a hedonistic encounter of metal and club-sounds, COLD+SLEEP makes cyberspace dance to a faster track in search of the cycle of new music, entrusted to the next generation and the end of the world.
A project
Starwave Records is adding a new artist to their label, and this artist is none other than Magistina Saga!
Formed in July of 2010, Magistina Saga’s concept is a fairy tale of both magic and truth.
Their sound charms listeners with compositions that incorporate anime and game music, with strings