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.
SUICIDE ALI are about to release their second album, titled “Tainted Gallery”, on September 12, 2012!
The album will be released through Starwave Records, and even though the official release date is set for mid-September you can secure your copy early starting at August 19 at the oneman
Synk;yet are about to release their mini-album, titled “Messiah”, on September 12, 2012!
The mini-album will be released through Starwave Records, and even though the official release date is set for mid-September you can secure your copy early starting at August 5 at the release party
Starwave Records is about to release a new label compilation CD, titled “Starwave Records vol.2”, on August 1, 2012!
Starwave Records has published the following comment about the release:
“An omnibus commemorating 2 years since the formation of Starwave Records!
The label
Rose Noire are about to release their second mini-album, titled “Neo Renaissance -1st movement-“, on July 25, 2012!
The mini-album will be released through Darkest Labyrinth, and even though the official release date is set for late July you can secure your copy early starting at June
THE SOUND BEE HD are about to release the second press edition of their mini-album, titled “葬” (Sou), on July 11, 2012!
The album will be released through Starwave Records, and even though the official release date is set for mid July you can secure your copy early starting at May 17 during
lix. are about to release the second press edition of their album, titled “SICKS PAIN 〜SICKS RAIN 2nd press ver.〜”, on June 13, 2012!
The album will be released through Starwave Records, and even though the official release date is set for mid June you can secure your copy early starting
Tokami are about to release their new best of album, titled “Schwarz Kain”, on June 6, 2012!
The album will be released through Starwave Records, and even though the official release date is set for the early June you can secure your copy early starting at May 9 during the release party at
Calmando Qual are about to release their third full album, titled “BLACK SHEEP”, on June 27, 2012!
The album will be released through Starwave Records, and even though the official release date is set for the end of June, you can secure your copy early starting at May 18 during the release
Starwave Records is adding a new artist to their label, and that artist is none other than 空-くう- (kuu)!
After forming in Tokyo in 2011 with the concept of prosaic cinema pop (meaning: they play a unique type of music that reminds the listener of a movie soundtrack), 空-くう- (kuu) have officially joined Starwace
During their “European tour 2012” BLOOD stopped at P60 in Amstelveen on April 12 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 portfolio,