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.
Rose Noire are about to release their new album, titled “APOCALYPSE” -the Resurrection of Notes-“, on December 4, 2013!
The album will be released through Darkest Labyrinth and even though the official release date is set for early December, you can secure your copy early by purchasing
ミサルカ (Misaruka) are about to release their cover single of Malice Mizer, titled “月下の夜想曲” (Gekka no Yasoukyoku), on December 19, 2013!
The single will be released through Starwave Records, and even though the official release date is set for mid December you can secure your copy a little
ミサルカ (Misaruka) are about to release their cover single of Malice Mizer, titled “au revoir”, on November 30, 2013!
The single will be released through Starwave Records, and even though the official release date is set for late November you can secure your copy early by purchasing it at
Synk;yet are about to release their new single, titled “Cross of sin”, on September 25, 2013!
The single will be released through Starwave Records, and even though the official release date is set for late September, you can secure a copy early by purchasing it at live shows starting August
THE SOUND BEE HD are about to release their new best of album, titled “GHOST WORST FOREST”, on September 18, 2013!
The album will be released through Starwave Records, and even though the official release date is set for mid-September you can get your hands on a copy early by purchasing it
ミサルカ (Misaruka) are about to release their new single, titled “-Rasen-“, on September 25, 2013!
The single will be released through Starwave Records, and even though the official release date is set for late September, you can secure your copy early by purchasing it at a live show starting
Especially for “AVO J-Rock Festival” VANIRU visited Tivoli de Helling in Utrecht on July 14 to play their show for the fans who had been waiting outside for most of the afternoon already.
We also went to check out their performance, and took some photos while we were there. You can find these photos on our
Especially for “AVO J-Rock Festival” ADAMS visited Tivoli de Helling in Utrecht on July 14 to play their show for the fans who had been waiting outside for most of the afternoon already.
We also went to check out their performance, and took some photos while we were there. You can find these photos on our
Especially for “AVO J-Rock Festival” GOTHIKA visited Tivoli de Helling in Utrecht on July 14 to play their show for the fans who had been waiting outside for most of the afternoon already.
We also went to check out their performance, and took some photos while we were there. You can find these photos on
Capella are about to release their first full album, titled “ココロケイト” (KOKOLOCATE), on August 7, 2013!
The album will be released through Starwave Records, and… there is no way to get your hands on a copy early through live shows this time.
Starwave Records has published the following
Magistina Saga are about to release their new mini-album, titled “The two-facedness of a tale”, on August 7, 2013!
The album will be released through Starwave Records, and even though the official release date is set for early August, you can secure a copy early by purchasing it at live
umbrella are about to release their second mini-album, titled “モノクローム(黒)” (Monokuromu (Kuro)), on July 3, 2013!
The album will be released through Starwave Records, and even though the release date is set for early July, it’s possible to secure your copy early by purchasing it