Visual Kei
 

Since these bands are pretty much my favorites, I'll put them up. The asian music scene is very good.

Visual kei is a music scene mostly in japan that combines great music with visual performances and looks. It varies in sound alot, and is sometimes lighter, sometimes very very heavy, and everything in between. Visual kei refers to more of a look that the actual style of music. Almost all visual kei is indie, and most of them arn't too well known with the excpetion of Dir en grey.

D'espairs Ray: Japanese goth/industrial. Everything about them is great.
http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y28...espairsRay.jpg

Dir en Grey: Japanese metal. Maybe the most famous visual kei band. Their last two albums are pure genius.
http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y28.../DirenGrey.jpg

Silver Ash: Chinese goth metal. Great, the guys got an amazing voice. Plus I know chinese, so that just makes them closer to me.
http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y28...talt/SABar.jpg

And many many more. These are my favorite three.

Whether anyone cares or not, the new Dir en Grey single is out, and it's FUCKING INSANE! Oh god damn it's amazing.

Well, I do happen to like Visual Kei. I am suprised you didn't mention Mana (Malice Mizer or Moi dix Mois) along the lines of well known. I was introduced to it through the Gothic L***** Bibles. Hmm, other bands I listen to: Dir en Grey, Gackt, Glay, L'Arc en Ciel, Pierrot, XJapan. They all have what I call a French sound, if that makes since.
Of course, my heart will always be sold first to North Europe's epic metal. <3
From what I've heard tho, a lot of people don't consider any Visual Kei to be considered 'gothic'. Can't see why, how do they define gothic.

okay, that was a little ramble-ly....

Most of it isn't, but I deffinatly would call some of D'espairs Ray's songs, and maybe Silver Ash goth in their sound.

Those are my favorites, but, in addition to the ones you mentioned, Alice Nine, Gazette, Deathgaze, Death Pool, Madeth Gray'll, Blam Honey, it goes on and on.

I'm not a huge fan or L'arc or Gackt though. X is up there with my favorites, and I've gotten into Glay a bit since I got one of their CD's.

Visual Kei is absolutly amazing....

Bring on the little love thats here.

I just got the video for cleaver sleazoid now. Can we say cockroaches on rocking horses, mindless hordes of goat headed people, and seizure inducing red flashing. It's all good.

Hey BG, if Marilyn Manson's music was Japanese, do you think he'd be counted as Visual Kei? *I don't actually like his music but I'm curious...*

Not that you asked me, but I would say no. This maybe becuase I dislike Marilyn Manson and _like_ visual kei, but the reason I would argue with is that: At least the visual kei music I've heard, it all has a paticular sound/feel that Marilyn Manson doesn't have anything near to. Of course, this is only in sound, which is what matters most to me. (Looks are nice, but if their music sucks then I'd rather they just design clothes or something)

I Love them

Cool

Sarkophagos...You are entitled to your own opinion. And I tahnk you dearly for your input on my question.

^^^^Damn....Terrible spelling mistake and it's too late to edit it :(

heheheh, Hell Yeah!! \m/ Rhapsody \m/ (if they are northern european... sudden mental blank..
I am Defenitly going to have to look into this 'Visual Kei'.... it sounds most interesting.

Well, I love Visual Kei. Okay, I'm going to describe my favourite Visual Kei Bands, and at the end of that I'll recommend some _must_ listen to songs.

btw, Get ready for a huge post -_-'

D'espairs Ray, excellent band. I've only seen one PV ((Garnet)) it was awesome, I love their music, quite dark, and excellent... Most of D'espairs Ray's music is pretty dark, which makes them the band that they are.I recommend Garnet, Carnival, Gemini, Genchou, and Valentine 0214 ((Wow, they have so many good songs... It was hard to pick so little...)), yes well that would probably give you a taste of what their music is like.

Has anyone heard the band 12012? Oh, I love them, they have a very distinct sound about them, The guitar at the beginning of the song Shudder is awesome, I have great love for it. 12012 loves their electric guitars, most, if not all, of their songs have guitar solos, which I must say, I absolutly adore. Shudder, Days, High Style Paradox ((Although odd, very good)), and Mippei Sareta Hi.

Dir en Grey, also an awesome band. Their latest stuff, like Saku, Machiavellism, and Clever Sleazoid are really screaming songs. I love them. Although I still love their older stuff, like Cage, and Akuro no Oka. Okay, this recommendations list will be pretty long -_-', I love Diru. So, I recommend Saku, Cage, Zan, Filth, Ain't Afraid to Die, Myaku, Embryo (Single Version), Raison D'etre, Gyakujou Tannou Keloid Milk (Plucking Mr. Newsman) -New Jap Mix- ((The best re-mix EVER)), and Zomboid [Zeroshiki Mix].
Gotta love those Dir en Grey re-mixes ^_^

Next, Inugami Circus-Dan. Female Vocals, that was a big winner for me, Their music is excellent, I can't really describe, it's both dark, and happy, interesting, and excellent. I highly recommend this band. Okay, recommendation songs are, Kaidan Kubitsuri no Mori, Bakusou All Night Long and Soushisuru no wa Start no Unmei.

Kagerou. I love this band, they have so many styles. The Vocalist, Daisuke, can do many many styles very very well. I also have much love for their guitarist, Yuana, very pretty man that one, and very very talented. Their PVs are nice and interesting too, I especially liked Aidoru Gurui No Shinrigaku. Recommended songs are Aidoru Gurui No Shinrigaku, Wrist Cutter, and Yuugure no Shazai.

Kagrra. Although not dark Visual Kei, still Visual Kei. They have quite a pop-ish sound to them, but their vocalist, Isshi, is awesome. I wish him happy days in the future ^_^. Recommendations are Ouka Ranman, Fuusetsu, Sou ((Love the guitar at the start of this song)), and Crow.

Kana ((Gotta love the bands that start with K, there are so many good ones.)). Now Kana, either love her or hate her, most people tend to hate her... I'm not surprised. Well in any case, I really enjoy her music. It's not dark, but at the same time it's not exactly pop-ish music... Sometimes it's a sick twisted mix of both. She has a very *cough* unique voice. Sometimes she sings like a normal, sane person. Other times she screams like a crazed teenage girl on steroids. Most of her songs do have random screaming in them, so be warned. Well, I've only seen 3 of her PV's and I don't really recommend them, as they have almost 0 entertainment factor, Mainly it's just pictures of her, and video of her, just either standing there or singing. Okay, now for the recommendations, Chimame, Hamushi, Hone, Kedamono, Tsuki no Tsubasa, Kiba, and Rou no Kuni.

Kozi, Now this is good. I really like his music, although it seems to be slightly pop-ish, it's very very interesting. He has a very beautiful voice, really nice to listen to as you drift off to sleep. And no random screaming, *sigh of relief*. Anyways, Recommending Honey Vanity, Mawaru wa~Kioku and Incoherents.

Malice Mizer. Malice Mizer is a classic, Mana's first band ((look Mana up on Google, I dare you, he is beautiful)), It was also one of Kozi's bands. Anyways, I don't really recommend listening to that much Malice Mizer unless you're a fan of slightly classical, slightly rock type music. But the songs I do recommend are Au Revior, Beast of Blood, Illuminati, and Syunikiss.

Pierrot. Although technically not Visual Kei, still really good. Since they're not Visual Kei, I wont say much about them. But I do recommend the songs Yuuyami Suicide, Haruka and Smiley Skeleton.

Psycho le Cemu. Also regarded as the Super Cosplay Band. They have elaborate costumes, and aren't afraid to dress up. Their vocalist, Daishi, has a wonderful and entrancing voice. In their older songs he tends to scream and yell a lot more, but in their more recent music he has toned it down a lot, and goes for a more lighter vocal approach. I recommend the songs, Ai no Uta, Roman Hikou, Ima Sugu Kiss Me, and Shunkashuutou.

and Lastly, Vidoll. I think this band is quite average, although there are quite a few original-ish songs in there, somewhere... O_o, Well I like them, Their vocalist has quite a deep voice, and he uses that voice very well. I also loved their Bassist, brilliant guy that one. Recommending Heroin, Hitokiri no Chrixxmas, Mommy x Daddy, and Torikabuto.

Okay finished, feel free to tell me your thoughts, feel free to criticize, feel free to flame, feel free to question, and most of all feel free to actually try some of the music I have recommended ^___^.

I love Visual Kei... here are some of my favorites (probably already listed but it shan't hurt to post anyways!)

Malice Mizer (what hasn't been said about Mana that shouldn't have the need to be said again? Oh so lovely!)
Cleaver Sleazoid
D'espairs Ray
Dir en Grey
Psycho le Cemu
and last but definetly not least... X Japan

I'm going to buy an English to Japanese dictionary so I can translate the lyrics. I hate having those songs stuck in my head and not know what's really going through my head!

ahh i love visual kei!
some of my favourite bands;
-d'espairsray
-vidoll
-12012
-blood
-dir en grey
-malice mizer
-pierrot
and just too many!

Some of them very very cool

but some band make me sick of their music that too pop

I'm so sorry to show my ignorance but, I dont really know what visual kei is. Is it simply a style of music or something greater? Please dont flame me, i'm just curios and ignorant and the best way to get rid of both conditions it to ask people more knowing then myself.

My apologies, it's late and I didn't read the very beginning of it. Once again, feel free to flame my stupidity.

Hey lackluster, you lack brains!

hahahaha! No, I'm joking, next time sweetie, think before you post, Not thinking and posting is a BIG no-no in Gnet, so be careful or we'll label you a troll. :D

And noone likes being a troll, they live under bridges and eat goats apperently.

Precisely, Just watching your back, matey :)

I will try. Just sometimes the insomnia gets to my brain.

Lackluster_Heavens, if you managed to post, then it's not that difficult to read what was in the introduction of this thread.

Sorry...your a bit too late, we've already been over this.

malice mizer!! <3333 i love them and am just starting to get into v-k. thanks for the suggestions.

I've said it before and I'll say it again:

Mana is the most beautiful boi I've seen. I actually used to think he was a chick.

Wolfmoon... same happened to me when i first saw his picture! When i read the text below his picture and i found out that Mana is actually a man i was shocked to death :D

Anyway i like visual kei too. I kind of grow out of listening Jrock, but i still like it sometimes. Visual kei is the best thing i ever saw! All those japanese girls cosplaying them all the time... that amazing. I wish to go there someday and just take some pictures of those cosplayers.

I first heard of VK through japan.com friends. These girls said "like visual kei", and I was like "what the hell is Visual Kei?" So I hopped onto wikipedia, and checked out the term and "Mana's stylish cross-dressing" stood out, and I thougfht I have to see this. I was expecting to see something silly, but what I got was a new direction in my life. "I want to make tunes like his (he actually had my ideas before I did) and look just as good!" I instantly thoght to myself. I had an idea of what i wanted to do onstage, but no clue how to pull it off. At least not without looking like crap. I now know how, and what I want to do. My new dream is to go to Japan and audition for Midi: Nette. Yeah, I saw what was in the deep end and took a nose dive straight to the center of it!

As a side note, Mana-sama is the reason I have a violin and now own a skirt. ^_^ v

I don’t know this band. Can some one give me a website address so a can hear their music?

No one mentioned my boiz, Blood. Also checkout Deadman, and Metronome. Be warned Metronome is weird.

I was taken to a "Kiss" concert a few years back and I was very impressed. Afterwards I thought how, basically, the visual content was the main attraction... then i started wondering why other bands don't put on a show like they do. The more pomp and ceremony the better I say. Bring it on! Btw if anyone needs translations of the lyrics, I offer my services.

KISS seem to have taken their gig from Alice Cooper, who had one of the best views of a stage show. People pay for a show, not to see you in your t-shirt (t-shit) and jeans. Vk on the other hand seem to have been influenced more by the likes of Motley Crue. Either way I know I want a real show, not just see a band that I could play with as is when not on stage.
http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f1...r/Mana2014.jpg

Yes, Mana-sama has eye-candy written all over him!

I agree, it has to be about the show... a band that doesn't put on a show deserves to die a slow death. If people didn't have to entertain themselves and mosh, there wouldn't be that problem.

If can do it live is truly the test of a bands talent. With out that you’re a bunch of sound FX coming out of a box

Visual Kei's not Goth
 

Sorry guys,

but for me Visual Kei is as goth as ...as...I dunno...
Freddie Mercury...or Boney M.
But it's not Goth. It's freaked out kiddies pretending
to pretend to be something. Kinda pre-teenage
thingie. Well, I am just a babygoth here, but darn
glad to be over 12 years old.
You can not take that "movement" serious when all
"bands" are already singed to major companies and
are getting styled by the same people who made
Robbie Williams a star.
Visual Kei is the music industry's attempt to make
money outta our music.
Hey, I might copyright a movie title here:
"The Great Visual Kei Swindle"
but I wouldn't be surprised if that is already
copyrighted by Sony.

point goes out for you :)
still...i don't think it's goth *grumblelikeanoldman*
hahahahaha

Dude, Freddie Mercury is as goth as fuck. ^_^ Anyway, a lot of gothic bands are signed to a major label and get their image treatment. A band's success does not really reflect the quality of the music.
Unless your unsuccessful because you, as an artist, suck.

Well no one asked you.

I second that. With major emotion. *stares at you with a face full of emotion* Oh damn, I don't seem to be getting my point across. Take two:
YAYYYYYYY FORRRRRR VISUALLLLLL KEIIIIIIIIII !!!!!!!!!!
hehe. I think that's clear enough.
But yes, Malice Mizer is brilliant and I think that Moi Dix Mois is as well.
Mana is a bloody walking work of art (checky the avatar-y buaha) and I could stare at him all day.
And yeah, who hasn't thought him to be female without first knowing the truth? I've actually wondered what he would look like with masculine features!! It's crazy but since I've not seen it, I simply can't imagine it.
It's like looking at Manson without all of his make up on. The first time I saw it, I almost went into shock from disbelief. I wouldn't have been able to recognize him if I had passed him in an airport without having first seen the picture. Make-up is truly amazing.

I'm seeing Dir en Grey in February.
I'm pretty damned excited

I saw Despairs ray last week, it was great show.

Love the VK scene, and I envy mana so much ;_; i want to be that good looking T_T

Malice mizer as everyone said is the VK band everyone knows, and for good reason. X japan who also have been mentioned are often coined as the VK founders, who also were an amazing band at the time.

Moi dix mois are good, but mana has done no PV's (or none to my knowladge) of moi dix mois. They also are more metal then malice mizer, which is a good thing in aspects. But still though they are good, they are no malice.


Gakt is hot and cool, but these days is more of a a pop star, so I am kinda in the middle with him.

YAY FOR VISUAL KEI!!! I want to go to Mana's stores at least one time in my life with a shopping spree. Oh gods above I do.

mana is awesome. ive noticed that alot of the guys in j bands look like chicks its very hot. theres this band called antic cafe (no they arnt goth) and there guitarist bou looks like a 14 year old chick i swear even more chickish then mana. did any one see the dir en grey music vid 4 obscene that video is nasty XD.. who likes miyavi??? now thats what i call a piece of ass

MIYAVI is the god of ADHD!!!

I love Visual Kei. The insane style is one of the main reason's I want to visit Japan. I'm a big fan of X Japan, Malice Mizer, and Moi dix Mois.