Dadaroma disbanding was truly the most devastating occurrence. They were so funky and fresh and fun and they really pulled me back into visual kei. After Dadaroma, I leaned on Nazare and I really love a lot of their songs and I believe they have a TON of potential, but they are scaring me. Kizu is really the only band keeping me going vkei-wise, but The Gazette is teasing a 2024 release so I am praying they have an album tour so I have something to look forward to. Thank you for speaking on these pressing issues 🙏

Visual Kei was on a downward spiral since de 2010s when every band was trying to be Gazette, these days i think of Visual Kei more of a concept that can be replicated on every part of the world, i owe VK my taste in music and specially rock and metal in general, thats why in my project i try to incorporate other influences like Goth Rock cause you can deviate from your origins without forgeting them

im a gen z visual kei fan and i love both old and new visual kei. you're definitely right about us liking new v-kei, especially eroguro music. idk why but it just sounds great to us, but believe it or not a lot of my other v-kei friends around my age love old bands like dadaroma and dir en grey :) my two favs are gulu gulu and dadaroma, so that's both old and new to me. i love new v-kei a TON and don't think visual kei is dead either, but i 100% get what you mean by old visual kei sounds dying out. tbh, i just listen to v-kei because i like the style and how it sounds and don't know whats going on with bands most of the time

the reality is vk was more than an image, it actually did have a "sound" until the 2000s, contrary to what the American wikipedia article (the source of a lot of people's "knowledge") says about it. Even though different vk eras drew from different genres, there's a clear sonic throughline running through X Japan, to Buck Tick, to Luna Sea, to Kuroyume, Zi:Kill, to Baiser, to early DeG, etc etc. Sparkly, jangy guitars, but not in a Byrds/The Smiths sort of way. Not in a midwest emo sort of way either. Lots of dreamy ethereality. "Out of place" uptempo drum parts. An incredibly distinct way of vocalizing you won't find outside vk. etc etc. At some point this lineage just ended and no new band from that point felt culturally connected to it anymore.

As someone who is actually in Japan n regularly goes to lives, vkei is still very much alive over here… I guess it has less international interest and airplay than in the 2000s but I feel like a lot of western discussion is heavily clouded by nostalgia goggles www

I'm a long time fan of visual kei but I tend to drop out of it like every 5 years. I've recently been getting back to it again and honestly I found many of the new bands pretty refreshing. THE MADNA, Fukuro, Nigai, Lynoas, SennoTokyo and XANVALA caught my attention so far. I don't think VK is dead, it's just been pretty niche even in Japan since early 2010s. I think part of the problem is that there are no new big bands in the genre anymore. Most bands die before they get to the legendary status. But also the fact that rock and metal in general have been losing audience steadily affects VK too naturally.

it's also the rise of kpop that kinda kills vk every year because many of the fans that used to listen to it moved to kpop for some reason.That trend will pass eventually and maybe the compositions will get better.

I would say the current state of vkei is very analogical to the current state of rock music in general. The “good old” bands running on fumes and new bands not being good and original enough to take their place. It feels like everything good has already been done and it’s depressing.

Wow This video was recommended to me an honestly i have no fricking idea what you are talking about. I still watched the whole video, liked it and wrote this comment. I hope it helps. KZfaq algorithm works in mysterious ways 😅

I'm super new to all this (discovered vkei abt 5 months ago) but i def gravitate towards oldschool more my faves being b-t, malice mizer, shazna, etc. Generally newer bands dont do it for me, but one i adore is glamscure! They have a few songs that are very inspired by malice mizer (que sera sera & sono toki made sayonara) while most of their stuff is more rock/gothic rock ish. They only have two albums but theyre really good, i really really reccomend them!!! I also love that theyre very committed to the scene & in their own words, want to keep vkei alive, they feel really genuine.

As a newer visual kei fan (~ 4 years or so), I've definitely gravitated more towards the mid-2000s and 90s bands more than anything. I mostly follow KAMIJO's solo project and ACME (very casually). I enjoy ACME as a newer act but there's something about me that prevents me from getting super into them. They're super fun live though. In terms of newer bands/artists, I've been enjoying: -Marvelous Cruelty (for what little you can find of them on KZfaq) -The Muzzle (Kyouki (Grieva Vo.)'s new music project) -Zeke Deux (Kakeru's new band) -The Brow Beat -ACME -ZIGZAG (Alright but lower on the ladder for me and they're probably the oldest in this list.) -UNDEUX -David (Sui's solo project) -Nero Chronicle (Interesting tanbi kei inspired duo. Their songs are hit or miss though)

Noroimico is an all-female wafuu kei band that formed in February of this year, their music is pretty awesome and I think they're worth checking out! A while ago I was looking for foreign vkei bands (besides Madmans Esprit) and I found Zaylem, which was formed in France in 2018. There's also a band called UtsuGIno that formed in October, they haven't released anything yet but I'm really hoping they're not as generic as a lot of newer bands. I've only been a vkei fan for 3 years but I'm also having the same problem where I don't like some of the newer bands as much, so don't worry if you feel like that's the case as well.

A band I discovered a couple years ago is DEVILOOF. I have to say I have never been so excited about a band in years! BTW I am from Seattle area, ground zero for grunge in the 90s, but also loved the glam and visual bands of the day. Liked and subscribed!

I started getting into VK when I was really young watching shows like Death Note. I mostly listened to Malice Mizer, L’Arc-en-ciel, or groups that only did a few songs and disbanded. IMO, I feel VK at it’s height is too niche to be sustained. I’ve always listened to rock but since I prefer the goth/nu metal sound from western artists like Deftones or Chelsea Wolfe, it’s hard for me to get into the current VK scene. I’m glad to know there’s a community still following the current trends tho, thanks for keeping us updated 🥰

Deviloof is the vkei band I love the most there some dexcore songs I like and of course dir en grey has albums I like besides that modern vkei feels luckluster

I know I’m probably a lot younger than you but I really feel you! Even back in middle school when I started listening to v kei a lot of the bands were quite old already but now it’s so hard to find anything at all. I recently started listening to v kei again (after a 5 year break🫠)and all of the fan blogs etc. deactivated, bands disbanded and there isn’t really as much to find in general which really depresses me. I don’t know how it is in japan but I barely find stuff (or even just fan accounts) online.😭 It’s just so sad rediscovering the scene and having to find it like this.

This is an interesting take I never heard of. I LOVE the music and fashion but I'm not active in the community. VK community. I wish the content wasn't limited. One thing that surprises me is there's fan service and people simping the band members. It reminds me of K-pop (I didn't realize both have similarities until later on) I just want VK to get more recognition. If city pop gains massive popularity then why not VK too? (I have been listening to city pop back in 2016 or 17) Edit: I know the comment is a mess. I don't have anyone is into VK and I really want to share my thoughts

The singer from NoGod formed a new band recently called Alternation of Generations.I also like Zero[Hz],Xaa-Xaa,and The Brow Beat I wish there was a new vk band that's as experimental and progressive as La'cryma Christi and SIAM SHADE

What I listen ie; Zera, Dexcore, Jiluka, Kizu, Gulugulu, Kodomodragon, Arlequin, Acme... And disbanded ones I really loved :( Dadaroma, Dimlim and Ari

Exactly why I stay in the 80s 90 & early 2000s era visual kei.

i feel dazzlingbad is a underrated gem for me. unique songwriting, unique production choices, unique style. overall the songs are interesting to me. they just put out a new one ネクロシス which is like their rendition of the old 90s 00s vkei sound

Just stumbled upon you late and subscribed immediately. Your personal style, your knowledge, your performance/delivery of your info, all very polished and valuable. I agree with you, for what it's worth, having been around when VKei first started up. We in the west don't "own" Visual Kei, like you said. We're not their target audience. If a band decides to have a style like the more OG bands, that's a lucky moment for us, and as you do, we can follow and support them as much as possible. Otherwise, enjoy the Ride That Was and see _what else_ comes up on the horizon. Keep being wonderful! 💜

Nooo 😢 that’s so depressing I’m obsessed with vkei I really hope it’s not dying. But I heard the gazette was realeasing a new album in 2024!

i’m late gen z. only just started to dive into visual kei sadly, as in like the beginning of last year. the only active bands i’ve found i enjoy that aren’t disbanded are emmurée, luna sea, buck tick, and d. ofc i get we’re not the target audience, but it’s just a little disappointing. i really wish bands could have had their music preserved better too, aside from the few very limited cd’s. regardless, i still have many a ways to go with this music journey however so i’m hoping despite how sad the change of this genre makes me, i will focus on appreciating the past :3

I just found your channel! It makes my vkei heart really happy ~ i am a vkei fan since 2012-2013 and although these days i am not as active with the new bands as I was before (i would follow a page that showed new bands and releases and listen to most), so I attributed the lack of its presence to me just not checking them out. I am sad that that's the state, but I'll see if there's been any gem here or there. I was a big fan of DADAROMA, SuG, and I am sad to know they disbanded, but my boys Sick² are still going strong!

This is a good video and a good point to bring up. It's so great to see another channel creating VK content, and the fact that you used 9 Goats Blackout for the intro made me a subscriber and fan. As a fellow Gen Y/millennial and long time fan of Visual Kei, I agree with the sentiment the current era of VK lacks a lot musical substance, with a lot of newer groups relying more on the "Visual" aspect of things and chasing whatever sound is popular, because at the end of the day thats what sells. Can't blame the artist because everyone's gotta eat, but I know I'm definitely not the target demographic for the art/product they are producing, and I'm cool with that. Not to say that there aren't handfuls of newer groups that go against the status quo, but I'm not personally seeking them out. There's just such a large breadth of music to catch up with from VK's infancy, through the golden era in the 90s and 00s, up until when I personally feel the subculture/genre peaked in 2012 and then promptly nosed dived into whatever we have now, that I just stopped paying attention to the stuff that's been coming out in the past 5-6 years. Call me and old head or whatever, but you just can't go wrong with the classics. As for recommendations, check out Deadman they just got their stuff put on Spotify in the West. Gullet is a short-lived but awesome group, which the singer of 9 Goats stemmed from. 12012 is also another favorite from back in the day, but of course they've adopted a more pop sound throughout the years, which is up to your taste. If you want to go older, Boøwy has a bunch of albums on Spotify now, and Justy Nasty has their stuff on there now too. They need to stop playing and put Die in Cries, Zi:Kill and Malice Mizer on Spotify next. Cheers and keep it up!

Past 10 years I’ve only listened to The Gazette, Dir En Grey and Nocturnal Bloodlust I even tried the ex guitarist of nocturnal Nekomanju. But I feel this so much. I can only listen to my holy trinity so much without getting burnt after listening to Reila, Yokan and strike in fact so much…

I appreciate this take. I got into V-kei by a friend who said it would fit me (I'm a metalhead but wanted something new) so I'm still super new to this and got a little worried I joined too late 😅 but I've been listening to Nocturnal bloodlust and Dir En gray so I didn't know that new bands we're getting shade.

Really love your take here and your thought process, thanks for this video.

I am from the state of Kentucky in the US and back in 2020 my brother found Dir en grey withering to death cd album in a store called goodwill we have been listening to very many vkei bands since then.

I've been listening to vkei for 8 years, but I mostly listen to the same bands and songs, it was only from 2022 to now that I have tried to discover more bands and I have found some ones that I have liked a lot, I do feel like nowadays songs certainly don't have that sound or vibe from the 2000's or early 2010's that made vkei very special but I see a potential for some of them to become very good in the next few years. Personally I feel like not only in Japan, but all over the world, rock and metal lost their identity and popularity in the late 2010s but I feel like this is slowly changing specially with the whole nostalgia of y2k these days, so I'm hopeful for the future :)

I feel like a veteran visual kei fan when ppl say dadaroma is "older" visual kei band when actually it was made in 2014. (Started listening vk in 2008) 🤡😭 but i digress, you are absolutely right, sometimes I search for smth new vk bands but always find myself listening to old stuff cos the new is sooo bad.

I left VK for many years now because no new bands pulled me back in yet. I check in yearly though so I’ll be checking these comments for recommendations. Recently one of my most fav band came back and that’s deadman. 💗

Happy to see more vkei content on KZfaq:D

this was a great video, I'm an elder vkei fan from the 00s and it definitely resonated with me. my music tastes in general are all over the place and I still dig the modern stuff as its own thing, but it definitely doesn't hit the same and I think the newest vkei band I've gotten >really< into was probably Liphlich (tho I'm about to hunt thru the comments here and take some notes). I feel like younger generations are more disconnected from goth and punk subcultures, so we wind up getting a lot more metalcore influence because it's more accessible for the people starting newer bands. I think that we'll see more of a resurgence with time tho; both goth and vkei come and go in waves, so I like to borrow the goth thing and say "visual kei's undead"~

One of the few modern bands I really like and also reminds me of older visual key bands are Kizu (キズ) , especially songs like 地獄, another song called 0 or antoher one called 蛙-Kawazu-. If you like The Gazette, Vidoll, Dir en Grey and similar bands please check them out, I think you might like them too Edit: I just reached the end of your video, lmao, I recommended Kizu way too fast, but so happy to see you also like them :)

visual kei clothing is growing as a trend in North America. Only problem is that stuff is very expensive and very inaccessible lol. So I feel like something will happen in eight months; either it grows more and becomes big or it stays as underground...

This was just suggested to me, lol. I feel what you are saying here. I don't listen to much VK stuff but I do listen to a lot of underground idol music, the edgier stuff (lol), and they cover a lot of ground musically speaking. Back in the day it was all about groups like BiS, Bellring少女ハート and FRUITPOCHETTE. Now everything seems to have shifted more to the electronic side, not that that is a bad thing. I do find myself revisiting the "classics" a lot, but I still find good current stuff as well.

I only stick to 90s-2004s max, check my playlist if anybodys into oldschool melodic ear candy like bands

i only listen to malice mizer these days so im never let down, but its a shame that time has been gone for decades

I've been feeling exactly like this for YEARS, I'm so glad to find you explaining it so well and so detailed, recently (like 1 or 2 years ago lol) I downloaded TikTok to watch visual kei short videos and found a community, and every time people spoke about new band or band recommendations I would go and listen, do my research, etc and... I could not enjoy the sound or even the visuals. As you mentioned, everything I see I feel is relevant to most younger generations, but the sound and concepts are just not hitting for me. Is it because it's new for them? or is the "scene" changing? does the music try to imitate other sounds and fail in the attempt? I don't know and it is frustrating to only lean towards 90s-2010s bands every time I get to mention what bands I like. I feel that I sound like an elitist so I just stay quiet and try to find/enjoy the new generations of vk. Thank you for making this video! These topics are really important and I am glad I am not the only one feeling like this. I will be watching your other videos! (sorry for my band english)

Waoo someone in usa knows about Japanese’s visual kei as well, that’s something!

I don't know what bands you already listen and heard, but I recommend Xanvala, Dexcore, -Shintenchi Kaibyaku Shuudan- ZigZag, Chanty, Hitchcock, maybe in this bands you will find something for you. :)

I kind of feel the same way. Also I noticed a lot of bands go for the pop subgenre. Lycaon for example was standard heavy metal and rock and tranistioned into Initial'L which was future rock, but mostly pop. Pop can work, but sometimes it doesn't come that strong to me. Currently, the new bands that caught my eye the most is Ashmaze and Zeke Deux. Ashmaze has a great visual style and their albums have been consistently good. Zeke Deux also is great with their gothic and elegant style that reminds me a lot of Galneryus and Malice Mizer

I got into deviloof almost three years ago and they are currently my favorite band love dir en grey aswell been trying to expand but kinda hard to find many bands in the v kei scene at least for me

yeah 100% with u. 🌟btw everyone who sees this pls list some bands 🙏🏼 🌟 I've been listening to jiluka, gulu gulu, kizu, baby kingdom, and xaa xaa. Bucktick isnt rly vkei its just rock but ive been listening to their whole discography

Phantasmagoria was my first vk band. Had no idea it was a thing 🤣. Fast forward 14 years, Now it's jiluka

im surprised KZfaq has sent me your video. but im glad they did. As a long time Visual Kei fan its been ages since iv found anything truely good. I dont listen to it like it did 5 years ago or so mainly cuz my tastes are broadening more but this area of my music i feel is in deadlock. The OGs Nightmare, The Gazette, Alice Nine, Girugamesh, Versailles, D=Out, Abingdon Boys School, Ganglion to name the few off the top of my head. No groups these days stay a band longer than a year or 2 tops and all sound extra winey or something I mean we all know Visual Kei is a pretty melodramatic genera of music but thats not even what i mean just there.....flashes in the pan MAYBE making 1 decent song and video. I miss the days i could find a group....oh let me see here oh they have been around for 10 years or more grew up in highshool, maybe changed a member once no big deal....how many songs? WOW 5+ albums!? Well lets dive in.... turns out they are all bangers......proceeds to obsess for 3 months. EDIT: I also subscribe to the idea that the masses the main stream people where heading towards Jrock JPop then all of a sudden Psy and BTS and Girls Generation came out of nowhere with Kpop and just highjacked the music industry least here in US. I would have never expected BTS to make sure a impression over here. I remember feeling good when a Visual Kei/ Jrock group got a CD release in freaking HOT TOPIC ...now HT is a joke of a store.

I started slowing down on following vk scene since Girugamesh disbanded but I still come back to it from time to time but I'm not really familiar with new bands. The only one that hooked me is Arlequin because they have that 90s and 2000s vk bands characteristic and sounds.

I have to agree with you. I found myself listening to David -Sui- lately and he’s one of the few that can still carry that VK vibe. He really is a treasure! Also, Kaya is still holding on to that as well.

idk but right know I really love dadaroma. I also listen to buck-tick, malice mizer, fukuro, lareine and shazna

I hope one day there will be bands with the sound of Matina and Soleil

Have been a VK fan since 2011 as a teenager and had a lot of favourite bands. But it's just Kiryu nowadays I listen to. They've been pretty active, while the rest of my faves either disbanded or just isn't my cup of tea anymore. But there are good new bands I casually check, and some are really good.

Don't worry that's why I exist, I shall do it, just watch

Even a "Scholar jogger" can tell VK is dead

I kind of need to have some examples of what you hate to b able to know what to recommend, but some of my favorite newer groups are Lamiya (sadly disbanded un 2021), Zera, Ari, Zigzag (-SKS-Zigzag), Aurorize (basically reformed Aiolin. If you didn't like Aiolin, you prob won't like this. I do tho ;) ), Casanova, Zero[Hz], NETH PRIERE CAIN, Deviant is so new there isn't much but their one vid is really good, imo. Anyway, if you let me know if you like any of these, I'll have a better idea about what to suggest. This is the first of your videos that I've seen, so I don't know from other posts.

nothing for me will top finding dir en grey as a child and seeing obscure for the first time, what a time

In case you don't know them already I really love Unlucky Morpheus, Sito Magus and DEVILOOF :) They are newer bands which I enjoy a lot, but I mostly listen to the popular older vkei bands

I remember in the late 90s listening to a Dir en Grey song on a friend's radio, and I'm like holy crap... I liked the rock, and VK led me into listening to many JRock bands.. I think VK as a whole has always had its niche. I think the issue now is the music industry worldwide and not just Japan. Exploitation of artist is just really bad now, and labels don't want to take risks. So you'll never get the same sound as Larc Angel. Or Malice Mizer.. Or even The Pillows of the Humming Bees, also it's hard in the hiphop scene in Japan as Punpee, OMSB, etc. are still driving the industry. They're great rappers, but there just isn't that Great. I think it's going to be an interesting time for the music industry in Japan.. VK definitely isn't dead. Like I was listening to VK music and JRock before that shit was easily found on the internet... What's changed to make it harder to find new finds?

The thing about VK is that it got a huge hype in the 90s and went mainstream. But the hype is over now and it turned to become a niche genre now. In the 2010s it was even hard to meet normal people in Japan which heard of VK. I met a girl in Japan who heard about a band called girugamesh and that's all. To be fair, even Gazette isn't a huge thing in Japan. Western people think that everyone over there knows them but that's not true, like everyone in the west believe that every japanese is an expert in anime and manga. People need to understand that VK was a larger wave in the 90s and early 2000s but now it's over. Thats why there aren't huge new VK bands which became very popular like gazette or dir en grey.

Vk today try sound like old djent or modern metal :(

wonderful video

TBH I totally forgot about Visual Kei I used to listen to them a lot..

I totally understand this sentiment. But it's def more difficult being a western fan because Visual Kei is typically p much like close knit family (at least that's how I understand it) between the fans and the band.

Have you heard of Dimlim? I would recommend the song malformation

You got a sub from me just for having An Cafe in your vid lol.

Is that 9GoatsBlackout in the intro?

Some bands, like ACME, have great visuals and great music, but honestly, I wonder if Japanese fans care at all about music. At lives, everyone does furitsuke, but I don't think they are really "feeling the music". Like, they just do it to show appreciation to their favourite bandmen. I'll still go to lives, but idk if I really agree with the Japanese fans

I very much understand what you're talking about because I've been an avid visual kei fan since about 2007-2008 and the newer bands just don't appeal to me. I find myself coming back to all the older bands because it's familiar and there was so much talent even with groups that used electronic elements. It was just such a fun time in music but times have changed and it's definitely not the same.

Yesterday I started cataloguing my music collection since I started collecting vinyls. And I found some old gems (Millenial here :D )..like Malice Mizer, La'Mule, Schwarz Stein, etc. But I get what you mean. Even "in those days" I found it hard to find new stuff to listen to. For example I was a huge D'espairsRay-Fan and collected all there stuff, but after Coll:Set I wasn't blown away by their sound like I was first time listening to Born. The few new bands I loved to listen to are already disbanded like Mamireta and GuluGulu xD Another good Band I recently found is Ari. Nothing special but a solid good VK-Band. Nowadays I "use" VK like kind of nostalgia?! I will always listen to bands from those days, browse second hand stores in Japan for rarities, but I am also really happy when I find a new young promising VK-band

Yeah, I agree with you 100%, I really enjoy the VK sound of the 80s, 90s and early 00's. Many newer bands have really good looks but sound really bland musicalwise.

You forget that bands sound way different live. People even made this point about Babymetal which is basically what VK has been doing for years. I miss Dio, Renny Amy, Aikaryu, old Ayabie, Paradeis, Aicle, -OZ-,and Memnto Mori. Their sound is dead. Also singers like Ren (Xepher) and Yuuki (Lycaon). Boy from screw is trying to get music out but i imagine it's hard. Genki(Mejibray) is all over the place and may have vocal damage. Evyl had a solid album and two single Succubus and Incubus. Diaura plays too much. Mashiro (Paradeis) at least didn't delete or abandon his Twitter, I think SM can also be considered in wheter or not it's dead. Mana has his brand and has VK models. Then Versailles came back. I think it sucks that the pillars just abandon the scene. The Piass members kept dying. VK is just crazy. But I'd say i think I'm done. The new Kotei Kei bands slap though

DEZERT, exist†trace, gulu gulu and ヴァージュ have stood out to me quite a bit DEZERT got more accessible but kept their distinct personality involved and their quite stellar songwriters exist†trace put out something quite recently gulu gulu probably the most fascinating since they have this Mr Bungle influenced sound, fun but also oddball, kinda circus-y even lol ヴァージュ (VIRGE) I just thought had really fun songs

What do you think about DazzlingBad? I really like them (except for yuta cuz I found he was racist) but I’ve seen hating on IT for having a different voice

RAZOR is making good music.

I started with the older stuff, but personally these days I lean more towards the modern stuff. Bands like Deviloof, Jiluka, Nocturnal bloodlust and Nazare. Metalcore and Deathcore just happen to be my fav genres now lol.

I just wanted to write about Kizu and you told about them😁

Interesting look you got going on!

I was always more of a casual Visual Kei person. I didn't dabble as much into the music compared to others but I did listen to bands like Malice Mizer (grew to really appreciate them even more in recent years), Buck-Tick, Dir En Grey, The Gazette, Ayabie, Danger Gang, Exist Trace, Nightmare, D'espairsRay and X Japan. Thinking back, I wish I could've went even deeper into the music but I was so preoccupied with other music at the time and it sucks because as a fellow millennial (I think we might be the same age, I'm 32 at the time lol), the early 2000s seemed to have been a great time with Visual Kei music. And like I mentioned, it's not that I didn't like the music because I very much did, I just didn't devote as much time to exploring the genre as I could've. Anyway I can sort of understand why you don't tend to like a lot of the newer bands. I watched a video that was comparing old school visual kei to modern day visual kei just to get me up to speed since it had been a good while since I've looked into newer Visual Kei bands and the glaring thing that I noticed was that newer VK bands tend to go for this very overproduced, bombastic kinda sound, dipping into what seems to be metalcore and pairing that with that electronic sound you mentioned . Meanwhile older VK bands went for a more harmonic but simpler style and at least for me, it's a lot easier on the ears compared to the "larger than life" type of style that a lot of the modern bands go with. I agree that the musicians in the newer bands do look aesthetically nice but the overall music, there's just way too much going on with it a lot of the time. And I highlight the metalcore aspect because the thing with metalcore is that while it can be a fun sound at first, overtime you realize how a lot of it sounds VERY samey and repetitive and I feel like this is why a lot of the newer VK bands who go for that modern hard rock type sound just aren't hitting that "oomph" factor that the older bands had because the older bands were pulling from all kinds of different rock genres. Modern VK seems to had noticed how popular metalcore got in the west (the states specifically) and so many of the bands are utilizing that sound and what's coming out is just very repetitive with not much real "identity" for lack of better word. And since VK is very ahem, visual in appearance, this may be why some productions don't care if the sound isn't that great so long as the musicians look good and can get fans to fall in love with their aesthetic via idol style. Anyway that's just my 2 cents on the topic haha.

I'm also a long time visual kei fan since the mid-2000s and am also feeling a kind of downward spiral. @hisashiproject hit the nail on the head about it feeling more like a concept, very copy paste and not enough originality to push the genre forward like the early pioneers did. But then again, maybe I'm just being old. lol Shout out to anyone who remembers D'espairsRay. LOVE that band.

I've lost almost all contact with online friends who would tell me about new bands or releases, so when I get myself into VK again, I just go back to this 90's/2000's VK loop, ahaha... usually UNDER CODE bands (Phantasmagoria, Lin, chariots, Megaromania...) but I like and listen to them all! xD Speaking of the community, I agree, I don't think VK is dead. See, this very video and all the comments here... we have always been a few peeps, but we're still around. I think it's mostly a matter of growing older, having new interests, not having a lot of spare time to go on VK drama anymore... LMAO JK 😂 Jokes aside, I have no idea what happened to the scene after 2010. I just know I still love Nightmare's releases before Majestical Parade (included). The newer albums, tho... I don't know, is it me or does it feel like it lacks... "something"? Not even some catchy songs here and there, it's just... plain... 🤔 I'm hyped again, so I'll definitely be trying newer bands out. However, LONG LIVE MALICE MIZER! 🖖🧐 P.S.: 9GOATS BLACK OUT is awesome, nice choice! I love "Lestat"! lmaooo ❤

Please check out ashmaze, as much as people say that they're similar to other neo vkei bands or modern vkei i feel a certain type of way about them , i love they're nirvana album and some of their songs even implement indian , portuguese and many other instruments ! the members that stick out the most are S1TK and shiyu and for very good reasons (in general they're all hella cool!) I love them and i hope you do too!

Malice mizer (the drummer died:( ), Buck-tick, Lairenne, Moi dix Mois and Madmans Espirit (I am from Brazil!

Hey You like "Ashmaze." I think there a newer band and I fucking love them. They look sick and there music is amazing.

Real

I love this chick Because I love you kick gluu glu you might know him momento mori, kuroyuri to kage, zigzag you know him wands

Back in the day (early 2000 and up) I were really into Malice Mizer and Phantasmagoria. I think my time as J-rock and Visual Kei fan is long over, but I'll always have the time I were really into it in my heart. These days I have moved onto Chinese ancient style costume drama. Danmei comics and novels. And thanks to The Untamed I became a Wang Yibo and Xiao Zhan fan, a YiZhan supporter and a 🐢💚❤💛

Try bands from Starwave Records, like Fixer or Synk;yet.

Came across this randomly. And realize this was a year ago. but seems like only one's I really like are Moi Dix Mois, Malice Mizer, and Gackt. Otherwise Dir En Grey is my fave.

真天地開闢集団 and キズwill be my recommendation . But I can only pick two in these 5 years, which is so sad.

Deviloof my fav band why keisuke is in thumbnail :(

Dir en grey and Sukekiyo still put out great stuff, not sure to what degree those could be considered VK though. There are visual elements to recent releases, even androgyny in Sukekiyo's case. Puchibura too but I wouldn't really call anything they've made so far VK. Kizu is good, wish they had more diversity in their sound but they have the average amount for a band so I can't fault that. Not a fan of the metalcore/deathcore-kei bands I see since I think those genres are already stagnant in the west and the bands I've seen from Japan add very little to it. From what I've seen they even copy the stage interactions, speaking to the audience in cliche ways you'd hear in the west (in English). I actually think I disagree with the premise of the video (if I understood it correctly), I think too many Japanese/VK bands are trying to appeal to/copy western music too hard to the point where I just would rather listen to a breakdown-core band from the west who has done it better and don't see the appeal of going to a Japanese band for the same thing. The bands I see that would stand out against western bands are the ones I'm always more eager to listen to. My only issue with those is when they aren't very good at singing/etc and that a lot of the music seems too targeted towards a younger and female audience for me to get into it.

Visual kei exists in 2 ways. As an industry and as a concept. As a concept vkei is eternal since it's a fashion statement which has been well designed and evolved through multiple stages through decades. It's called and referenced endlessly and as a result it's essentially always relevant somehow as long as it's in its modern form which tends to be more widely accepted and relatively simpler than how it began. As an industry it's truly suffered since its inception. Basically before there was any semblance to what we know as vkei there were just artists that cared about their music at a global scale. Meaning they really pushed themselves composition wise and technically and only then did they build the visual aspect around it. At some point after the great bands started having issues with their members and the Japanese societal norm, the genre as they knew it simply faded back into the indies. Producing the early 2000's bands which were no where near good in terms of musicianship level (Most of them were just frankly teens). Because of this multiple people got together and started small record labels comprised of 10 or 20 guys which had a diet consisting of energy drinks , sugar and any sort of potentially easy acquired performance drug all in a room pumping out songs for 10 bands that seemingly came from nowhere and in a very similar fashion simply end out of the blue. Because the bar was so low , these composers could easily build a composition structure that they could replicate and tweak depending on the band's theme. Hence vkei increased in productivity for a short while. However as time progressed vkei became identifiable musically. And because the standard had been set (due to results being stable enough) , the new sound and lifestyle were born: Dudes coming in from high school or dropping out of high school. Going into record labels with shady backgrounds In debt with a $6000 instrument and $2000 for new costumes through seasons. Splitting the money with the popular bands from their record labels. All living in the same apartment. Part timing as some staff clerk or host. 2 main sources of income possibilities. on one hand you have anyone under 18 , You sell them live tickets , merch and 12 singles through the year only to sell them all again in 1 full length album. and the women who are over 18 which they sell the same stuff to except they also tended to sleep with them. At some point someone noticed you didn't need to be great as a musician to impress teens and young adults hell even most adults , and so adapting to the current vkei sound was easier and more feasible for profits as they'd all lost hope trying to compete a global scale since vkei cannot be upscaled to a global phenomenon. Vkei has low scalability because: 1.The Japanese are relatively behind or prefer older standards(Everything decent today sounds like 2012 music) 2.Are prone to strange song structures that are too chaotic for mass audiences 3.The Japanese are too different and uncappable of coping with a tour lifestyle around the world where NOTHING works and violence is common. 4.Language barrier. 5.The style although cool and simpler is too wild for mass audiences. (The common person revolts at the site of anything remotely not pop-culture) 6.Most bandmen are attracted to a simple lifestyle where they can make a living at all while playing instruments and cross dressing. 7.Most bandmen for some reason cannot for the life of them improve or adapt to global standards , they'll G and F power chord and tea kettle scream themselves into basic obscurity only for them pop back with absolute shit clean emo vocals from the early 2000's 8. You show up looking like that and playing like that and it's over. 0.1 G no gosan would be knocked out in miliseconds playing anywhere. Since vkei does not effectively fall under any one genre musically , any livehouse outside of a controlled Japanese vkei echosystem simply would not comprehend. You'd get booed at rock shows at best and kicked to a bloody pulp at punk or hardcore shows at worst. The only way this ever worked is if you legit gained dir en grey , gazette , larcenciel , miyavi status to where you're ripped away from common vkei , a step down from there and you'd end up with elitism. Your Hizaki , Kisaki , all dudes from D , kaya , Kamijo , Sena etc circle where it's essentially a circle jerking monopoly to stay high up on the competition. They're not interested in bettering the industry or creating a self sustaining circle because they'd be making their own graves. a step down from there and you get your popular bands which are relatively newer. another step down you get absolute shit thrown at you , dude's who can't even book a show because they're told to go away. How to solve: The way to solve this is to get people out of the vkei scene to essentially play whatever they're playing and then simply add the vkei aspect. Base it out of japan. As long as they're used to composing at the global standard. You'll have relatively good exposure , for example what happened with madmans esprit. Although Kyuuho handles his band partially right , he'd shot himself in the foot by having consistent members touring with him , as a result they are seen as an integral part of the band even though kyuuho was the main composer. This means you're splitting profits more than normal. I won't go into more details but kyuuho is simply fucked and will stay stuck where he is , although with increased profits and mobility , but still stuck for a while. There's ways to solve for even this but it's beyond.

I don't usually comment on videos, but wanted to say I appreciate you sharing your thoughts. You have an intelligent perspective about this and analyzing what factors have changed that have changed the music. It's a shame that so much of the great visual kei music from the 90s and 00s is kind of a "secret" in the west known by so few. Rather than worrying too much about what has soured, I try to find new inspiration from what went right in the eras I really appreciate the most.

Xanvala is cool enough for me rn.

11:11 LMAOO

am agree with u , the new vkei may sound better in MV but not in music , old Vkei never heard anymore right now ,, i hope they back ..

Not too huge on Visual Kei or Japanese music in general, but Versailles and Kamijo are amazing. Couldn't get that much into X Japan, though I do listen to them once in a while. I do appreciate how vk remained as a subculture true to its roots compared to hair metal that disappeared after the 80s, or goth or grunge which many self-labeled fans nowadays aren't following the original roots too often. I think visual kei works better with more neoclassical elements, like symphonic power metal or rock opera.

Same. Kizu was really the only band that i have come across that peaked my interest. There are a few of the more punky songs by THE MADNA that i like. A few songs by Ari but that's about it. It just doesn't feel the same anymore. Like you said the looks are there but the music is lacking.

Urbangarde isn't that "VK"< but SOUND as good as it