Ada Suilen

BEST NEWS OF THE DAY! Lolita23q were one of the first visual bands I got into, so this news makes me more than happy! Ready for this awesomeness for sure!

Sou:

 
Ryuuto:

 
Yuki:

 
Ryosuke:

 
Ban (wtf??????):

 
 

少女-ロリヰタ-23区(lolita23q) will resume their activities after the Oneman at ZEPP TOKYO in 2017/01/15 where they'll also distribute a CD with a new song.
Their official OHP will open on 09/23.
 
Line up: 
 
Vocal … 颯(Sou)
→ Various Ray → 少女-ロリヰタ-23区[5] → レミング 
Guitar … ユ≠キ(Yu≠ki)
→ キューブリック(ユーキ) → 少女-ロリヰタ-23区(ユ≠キ) → LOUD GRAPE 
Guitar … 龍兎(Ryuuto)
→ サルーイン(龍人)[7] → 少女-ロリヰタ-23区(龍兎)[8] → the LOTUS(Ryuto)
Bass … リョヲ丞(Ryo:suke)
→ アンヴレラ(りょうすけ) → 酔奴隷(リョヲ丞) → ジラーチ(サポート) → パヴロ、メイ(サポート) → 少女-ロリヰタ-23区 → WING WORKS
Drums … BAN
→ 酔奴隷(BAN) → (彩-PSYCHO-)(浦和 塙) → 少女-ロリヰタ-23区(BAN) → LOUD GRAPE 
 
(The best 2016 news definitely deserve a topic for it)
 

So I gathered the data out of this thread:
https://www.monochrome-heaven.com/topic/26485-your-top-10-favorite-visual-kei-bands/?page=1
and put it into excel, sorted from highest to lowest and have found the top 10 favorite visual kei bands according to the community. Most of this list will surprise no one but I thought there might be some interest.
 
Note: I didn't include 'honorable mentions' on this list just the poster's top 10. I also didn't include rank data in spreadsheet because it would be too much effort and some posters didn't rank their list.
 
1. Dir en grey (28 votes)
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
It comes as no surprise that dir en grey are number 1. Everyone on this forum knows who they are and they are probably the most influential VK band of the last 15 years. Next.
 
 
2. D'espairs Ray (22 votes)
 

 
 
An alternative metal band loved my many during their time and one of the most popular 2000s VK bands. Sadly their vocalist Hizumi caught a rare throat condition and the band was forced to disband for the sake of his health. Still many people have fond memories of these guys and their music was well liked in both Japan and overseas. Known for their energetic live shows.
 
 
3. The GazettE (19 votes)
 

 
 
Another extremely popular band from the 2000s. Many people love to hate them and many people hate to love them but whenever they release something, the VK community catches on fire. It comes as no surprise seeing these guys here.
 
 
4. Malice Mizer (17 votes)
 

 
One of the most influential VK bands of the 90s and one of the few 90s VK bands that overseas fans have actually heard of. Playing a distinctive style of visual kei, symphonic/gothic rock and neoclassical darkwave, they have a small but legendary discography and there still are many bands imitating their style to this day. They faced many challenges throughout their career that people on this site probably know already (lead singer quitting to become a celebrity, death of their drummer) and eventually disbanded (or "indefinite hiatas"). 
 
 
5. Lynch. (16 votes)
 

 
The most popular 'nagoya kei' band of the last decade or so. They have been churning out multiple releases a year since 2004 and while many people call them mediocre, they still have a lot of dedicated fans who follow their every release. Their concept is "uniting heavy music with beautiful melodies".
 
 
6/7. deadman / Girugämesh (14 votes)
 

 
Deadman were a nagoya kei band from the 2000s. A bit surprising to see them this high but it seems they have a strong cult following on this website. They're music has strong alternative rock influences and they're releases were very well received during their time. 
 
 

 
 
Girugämesh were a 2000s visual kei band who mostly sticked to nu metal and metalcore throughout their career. They were really popular in the international VK community while nu metal was dying in the west but became an internet meme after being featured on a Sakuracon anime convention advertisement. Their newer releases were poorly received but many people hold their early discography in high regard. They broke up in July of this year and it was the biggest VK break up of the year (so far...).
 
 
8. Renter en soi (13 votes)
 

 
 
An alternative metal band from the early-mid 2000s loved my many during their short time active. People praised Satsuki's voice, their atmospheric production, and the band's ability to write strong melodies in an alternative metal style. They broke up in 2008 before is was cool but they still hold an important place on many VK listener's ipods.
 
 
9/10. Buck Tick / DIV (12 votes)
 

 
Regardless whether you think Buck Tick qualifies as a visual kei band, you cannot deny their huge influence they have had on the looks and sound of visual kei as a whole. Forming in 1983, their music includes a wide range of influences including gothic rock, alternative rock, post punk, darkwave and electronic music. They are hugely successful in Japan and many of their releases are regarded as classics. If you like VK than these guys really are an essential listen.
 
 

 
The newest band on this list (formed in 2012) and the only band on this list leaning towards the pop side of visual kei. Honestly I didn't know these guys were this popular but it appears they have caused quite a stir in the community while I wasn't looking. Sadly they are disbanding in October so if you are in Japan this will likely be your last chance to see them live.
 
 
 
And for those interested, numbers 11-20:
- 9GOATS BLACK OUT (11 votes)
- MEJIBRAY (11)
- MUCC (11)
- LUNA SEA (10)
- Versailles (10)
- 12012 (8)
- AvelCain (8)
- Cali Gari (8)
- Kagrra (8)
- Plastic Tree (8)
 
 

Lynch. Season is in full swing again, with the release of AVANTGARDE. Given the previews and the release of the FAKE PV alongside their yearly release of album, going into this album, the mentality is the same: This will be another Lynch. Album. You’re going to get the typical Lynch album songs with some new pizzaz thrown in here in there. In other words, expecting anything drastically new is hella silly. Lets get right into it.
 
 
Minus the intro, The album kicks off with of course, a “standard” Lynch. Track: Evidence. Its pretty much the upgraded and lower tuned version of Gallows, Moment, Marrow with newer elements to it. The repeating breakdown on this track is just Lynch again nailing and getting better at this metalcore aspect. Hazuki saying “are you fucking ready, GO!!!!” and the instruments getting into it puts a smile on my face and makes me nut several times.

 The chorus and the middle part of the song where it seems as if the band is singing all together (or maybe its just Hazuki’s vocals layered on top of each other), is a nice show of growth and for some reason gives me a warm feeling.  These types of Lynch. songs are  by far my favorite and I’m glad that it took two albums to get another one. It was worth the wait and definitely a highlight/great way to start off the album.
 
Pledge: If AVANTGARDE was to have another song/PV for promotion, I feel like this would be it. Its definitely a radio-ish type song, which isn’t a bad thing. It’s a very simple track and it too shows Lynch doing new things. The key in which this song is in is abnormal for me to hear Lynch in despite it being one of my personal favorites. The added instruments in the background gives this a much lighter feel than the average Lynch song. Also, same with Evidence, I like ending part where Hazuki (and maybe Co.) is singing the Lalalala part. That warm feeling struck me again haha. A nice follow up.
 
F.A.K.E: IDC what anyone has to say, this track is BOSS AS FUCK.  Its another typical lynch track but its still engaging as hell. And that break where Akinori does his bass solo and the track explodes
 

 
 
GETS ME ROCKING EVERY TIME. Its AWESOME. I dead ass spend half an hour to 45 mins since this album dropped listening just to this song. This album starting off on the right foot.
 
DAMNED: I tend not to give too much attention to these 2 minute Lynch. Tracks because I feel like they’re pretty forgettable for the most part and are just made as filler. But…..I’d be lying if I said I rocks with this one. It’s a banger and the breakdown reminds me that of the recent rendition of Im Sick Bcuz Luv u, which too is a behemoth in its own right. Solid track.
 
UNELMA: This is the fresh track of the album. I can’t tie this to any of their previous material, which is great. Its super rockin, and gives off an old-ish vk vibe but modernized in the bands style. Reo and Yusuke really shine here, especially on the chorus and solo.  When Lynch. want’s to/can, they can really breathe in some new life into their discography, this is a clear indication of that. I’d love to see what they could do with more tracks of this nature.
 

 
PHANTOM: Another pretty fresh track, where I can’t tie this to previous material. From the jump this track got me with chills running down my spine. Again both Guitarists shine brightly here. Yusuke’s Delay effect in the beginning and throughout the guitar is the backbone of this song and helps give it that dark and eerie feel. Reo’s solo is just…..Oh man…I can’t
 

 
 This is a straight, bonafide gem right here. I can actually envision Hazuki wearing a mask or something while performing this. I want to see this shit live. It’s the best song on the album.
 
KILLING CULT:  Perfect follow up from Phantom. Its fun, new, still on the really dark side but also sinister. The bridge puts you in this kind of hazy-ish feel which is soooo cool and Hazuki’s vocals play such a huge part in this. Actually, Hazuki shines a lot in this track for some reason.  Its nice to see him use his voice in ways that I’m so used to hearing it when it comes to the typical Lynch songs. This track is another one that I can’t wait to see live. I have a feeling it will be 10x more enjoyable. Great track.
 
PRAYER: This is where the album gets a lil iffy for me. This track just gives off the vibe that it was done just to fill space. Its more or less another rendition of a track that they have on the same album, FAKE….and it’s the inferior version. It’s Very forgettable. Nothing more to see here.
 
NEEDLEZ: Another forgettable song, that I don’t wanna waste time on typing about.
 
THE OUTRAGE SEXUALITY: Ahhh….ok. Another typical 2 minute Lynch song that I wanted to disregard but I ended up liking. I feel like it could do without the chorus. But still, nothing spectacular that id go back to.
 
FAREWELL: I’m not a big fan of this song, largely because it reminds me off of one of those songs off of IBIM, which alongside most of the album, I found to be boring. BUT it makes sense as a closer at least to me. Nothing really going on here too to be honest.
 
In general, this album did what it was supposed to. It catered to people who know Lynch for doing what Lynch does. And It caters to those who want to see the band do something different.  As for how the album flowed, I believe it started off great and kept a solid consistency in regards to what it was supposed to do as a Lynch album. But the end bit really harmed it in my eyes. Besides those tracks, I really enjoyed this album.  If I had to rank it in the cluster of albums they’ve been dropping yearly, it easily falls second to D.A.R.K which I believe is the best thing they’ve done since signing to King records.
When including all of the songs this gets a solid 7.5/10
Take out the end bit : 9.5/10
Now give me a live DVD you SOB’s.
 

| One of the finest rock albums of 2016. downy do it again!
 
downy's decision to return to making music after a very long lull in activity is one of the best things to ever happen to Japanese rock music. They've occupied the three way musical intersection between melancholic shoegaze, experimental post-rock, and musical perfection since their formation in 2000. Oft mentioned in the same breath as 八十八ヶ所巡礼 (88-Kasyo Junrei) or 凛として時雨 (Ling Tosite Sigure), there's a very good reason why all eyes are on downy whenever they announce a new release. 第六作品集『無題』  (dai roku sakuhin shuu 『mudai』) is the album I've been waiting all year to listen to and I didn't even know it. I can't remember the last time an album opener such as "凍る花 (Kooru Hana)" enamored me within seconds. Before I knew it I was four or five tracks in, completely lost in downy's world. Shuffle beats and 9/8 rhythms backed by spacious production give rise to a pulsating musical juggernaut which demands your attention, and it's hard to find a reason to press pause.
 
I'm impressed with the focus and clarity of downy's vision. Transitions between tracks as well as between different segments within tracks flow like water. They elude genre classification of even the loosest standards, breaking all sorts of rules about how rock is "supposed to sound" and opting instead for a hybrid audio/visual experience at live events. The second track "檸檬 (Jukujijun)" is a great example of this: fusing palettes of rock with a healthy does of electronic perturbation among mathy transitions, frantic guitar, and uncommon time signatures would crush lesser bands, but downy nails it without a second thought. What impresses me more is how well it stitches the first and the third tracks together; the former has an almost industrial post-rock vibe to it while the latter has a stronger focus on the rhythm with brass embellishments. 第六作品集『無題』 is so cohesive track names are almost a convenience, and a solid argument can be made that the album should be listened to as a whole.
 
There are a few constants which tie the album together; the cerebral rhythm section, band leader Aoki Robin's breathy vocals, a wall of layered sounds which fills any and all the empty space in the mix, and a tendency to suddenly change gears and throw something new at the listener. All roads point towards the climax in "乱反射 (Ranhansha)", but it's the journey rather than the destination which makes the trip worth it. In an interview with Yoshi from Brown Noise Unit, noted "We aimed to create original stuff, but we take a lot of care in how it is expressed, so if you found gentleness in the sound, I think that's just coming through from the love we have for music. We've always known we had to choose music, so maybe that's what you're feeling.". This is an incredibly bold and powerful statement for a musician to make, and yet when the album ends I immediately want more.
 
This is one of the best albums of 2016. Get on it.
 
 
 
Support the band!
 
CDJapan | iTunes (Japan)

I have to agree with everyone here...the quality is like shit, but damn those previews slay! LFDO and Shout&Bites re-recorded sound really great. Also, the 2 new songs sound amazing, especially Melodic Thorn *__* 
 
P.S: My dream has come true...MY BOYZ ARE BACK!!  

1.Hallelujah
2.黒い虹
3.1000年
4.美しい火
5.愛はなけなし
6.風
7.時間さえも年老いて
8.!!!!!!!!!!! (read as そしてバカはパンクで茹で死に, "soshite baka wa punk de yu de shi ni" i think?)
9.ただ遠くへ
10.あなたを愛したい
11.いこうよ

heidi. new album "邂逅" (Kaigou) will be released at 2016/12/28.
 
Their new single "サクラアンダーグラウンド" (Sakura Underground) will be released at 2016/11/16 (2 types, 1200 yens each)
 
[tracklist]
01. サクラアンダーグラウンド (Sakura Underground)
02. アゲイン (Again) (type A only)
02. プレイ（再録）(Play (rerecording I guess) (type B only)
03. サクラアンダーグラウンド (Sakura Underground)（instrumental）
04. アゲイン (Again)（instrumental）(type A only)
04. プレイ（再録）（instrumental） (type B only)
 
They will hold their special acoustic live and Christmas dinner at 2016/12/25 (fanclub only) and their oneman live "for 2017" at 2016/12/30 at Hatsudai DOORS.

New EP  Gestaltzerfall / 無題(Untitled) 2016.11.15 RELEASE
 
 

Develop One's Faculties new mini album "I WANT MY FREEDOM" will be released at 2016/11/2. (7 tracks, 2,500 yen)
 
[track list]
1.Silent Silence
2.I WANT MY FREEDOM
3.メランコリィな生活 (Melancholy na Seikatsu)
4.ケサランパサラン (Kesaran Pasaran)
5.are you ready...?
6.傍観者は嗤う (Boukansha wa Warau)
7.その音はキミだけが知っている (Sono Oto wa Kimi Dake ga Shitteiru)

exist†trace will release a new mini-album sometime in November.

Watched Stranger Things this week and thought it was utterly fantastic through and through. Alongside True Detective season 1 this is the best thing that's happened TV since The Wire. As a whole the series is a big, fat homage to the great 80's, and while it feels very familiar, it still feels so different and unique. It feels like The Goonies, Stand By Me and E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial meets Poltergeist, The Thing and Encounters of the Third Kind, with a bit of Silent Hill and Dark Souls/Bloodborne on top, mostly due to some of its visual style and atmosphere.
 
Great story, piss-fucking-cool characters, great cast and a top notch soundtrack to top it all. Brilliant!
 
 
Also watched the first episode of The Get Down just now. Thought it was fantastic. Cool, funky and groovy. I'll be quite surprised if they manage to keep this quality throughout the show, but if they do we're talking a future classic here. What an episode. A tour de force of awesome!

黒百合と影(kuroyuri to kage) new maxi single "吐瀉物(toshabutsu)" will be released on 2016/11/02 (1,296yen).

[track list]
01. 吐瀉物(toshabutsu)
02. 「便所2」(benjo2)

Nice work this month, everyone. I like that it's a pretty fair split between vk and other styles.
 
Koochewsen, coldrain, Pentagon, and Hizaki are all already faves and its nice to see all of them slaying right now. <3
ARTIFACT OF INSTANT and forCroiX were both nice surprises!  I've never heard of either before but I definitely want to look up more from both now.
And R-shitei! Wow! I haven't listened to them in a long time, but I didn't remember them being that good. I will have to get back into them.  

website: http://heroine.s2.weblife.me/
twitter: https://twitter.com/heroine_info
blog: http://ameblo.jp/heroine-official/
 

I am happy to join this chart and I am seeing a lot of good bands here
It is good to see Diaura, Kuroyuri to kage, Mediena (which I will miss), forcroiX and nowisee (which I have surprisingly enjoyed!)
Just listened to Koochewsen and Starku tracks, the former is incredibly great where the latter was pretty enjoyable
 

I am happy to join this chart and I am seeing a lot of good bands here
It is good to see Diaura, Kuroyuri to kage, Mediena (which I will miss), forcroiX and nowisee (which I have surprisingly enjoyed!)
Just listened to Koochewsen and Starku tracks, the former is incredibly great where the latter was pretty enjoyable
 

I am happy to join this chart and I am seeing a lot of good bands here
It is good to see Diaura, Kuroyuri to kage, Mediena (which I will miss), forcroiX and nowisee (which I have surprisingly enjoyed!)
Just listened to Koochewsen and Starku tracks, the former is incredibly great where the latter was pretty enjoyable
 

I am happy to join this chart and I am seeing a lot of good bands here
It is good to see Diaura, Kuroyuri to kage, Mediena (which I will miss), forcroiX and nowisee (which I have surprisingly enjoyed!)
Just listened to Koochewsen and Starku tracks, the former is incredibly great where the latter was pretty enjoyable
 

Recommended Tracks: August
 
Hello again Monochromians! ORz are back with a new freshly baked batch of tunes for you to snack on. Summer may be nearing its end, but that's no reason for the party to stop! Special thanks to guest reviewer @Ada Suilen for joining us again this month! 
Please, leave a comment below with songs you loved this month and let us know what you thought!
 
@fitear1590's picks
 
"お願いUFO (onegai UFO)" by クウチュウ戦 (koochewsen)

Koochewsen is officially on a roll. Their latest video game-tastic PV (the THIRD from this mini, btw) "インドのタクシー (indo no taxi)" was just edged out by this slice of musical heaven, which shows that the band still gets their prog juices flowing now and again. Slow, creeping verses build into mighty choruses that split the sky wide open just long enough for a UFO to zip down to our stratosphere and abduct us. And lawd,  is it glorious. I could go on and on about how much I love Riyo's unique vocals, but why don't  I just let the song speak for itself? As a cooldown, the track graces us with a killer organ breakdown and a face-melting guitar solo.
 
@togz' picks

"THE STORY ( ACOUSTIC )" by coldrain

"THE STORY ( ACOUSTIC )" is off of coldrain's newest single VENA II  which was released on the 17th of August. The single provided us with two acoustic versions from their last full-length VENA. Both prove to be great remakes and show another side of coldrain I haven't heard before. However, there's something special about the depth of "THE STORY". While the original wasn't one of my favorites from their album, the acoustic version may have changed my mind. Masato already has a very melodic vocal style but it surely shines in this track and he tends to elongate his words so they resonate in a different light. While the guitar work is beautiful on its own, the bass and drums are the real MVP of this song and offers some smooth jazz elements. I'm not even going to spoil the guitar solo for you. If you haven't heard it yet, you're missing out. I recommend this track for days. 
 
@emmny's picks

"月光" (Gekkou) by DIAURA

Some tracks warrant a short story's worth of an explanation as to why they're so good, and others just escape words. "Gekkou" is the latter for this month; it's not so brilliant to leave me utterly gobsmacked, but so eerily beautiful in its simplicity that it just...clicks. Yo-ka's vocals are dazzling as he glides over the delicate, acoustic guitar-driven ballad, the emotional buildup leading to a fabulously Uruha-style restrained-yet-virtuoso guitar solo from Kei. If you're not a ballad fan, this isn't the track to convert you; but to those who enjoy them, you'd find the polite ebb and flow of "Gekkou" to be rewarding.

"「洗脳」" (Sennou) by 黒百合と影 (Kuroyuri to kage)

Spoiler alert: Kuroyuri have flown straight out of indie purgatory after losing two members and (possibly?) being dropped by Ains, coming to bash us all across the head. If "Gekkou" put you to sleep, "Sennou" will wake you the fuck up, as expected, given Kuroyuri's signature oldie alt-metal barrage. The song opens with some surprising djent-style breakdown riffage before leading into a standard old MUCC-style crawl. Note how the bass work from K is turned up to 11, compared to prior releases. It has a fabulously ploppy and dirty clack to it. Mei, as usual, is giving the freaky-kei stans all that they could possibly ever want, going from whispers to growls with the occasional whimper singing here and there. Rinse, repeat, cue a fabulously sugary chorus and a dubstep breakdown. Wait...did I actually just--oh my god. YES, Kuroyuri against all odds throw the most pathetic wub-wub during a breakdown midway; which is so charmingly ratchet and clangy that it works brilliantly in their favour. Kuroyuri to kage stay true to their sound but throw in a few details here and there to keep everyone on their feet. Is it enough to keep their sound fresh? It's your call to make, but I'd like to think this is a good sign of things to come.
 
"Merciless core" by メディーナ (Mediena)

Ah yes, Mediena. In case you've missed them before, they're a fairly young Indies band with a heavy mid-2000's influence...think a lot of Phantasmagoria+UCP and Vidoll: super melodic, very synthy with a fabulously operatic and nasal vocalist.  They're also (allegedly) signed onto godly revival-kei label Ains. It's not a coincidence that every band featured by me this month is somehow linked to Ains, they're constantly killin' it. That said, Mediena is hitting the can soon, which is entirely exciting considering a similarly hyped old-school loving young indies band (I wonder who it is!) is also calling it quits this year. If some Ains super-band forms out of the ashes of Mediena, we only have @Peace Heavy mk II to blame. Conspiracy theories aside, Mediena are leaving us on a pretty good note with "Merciless core": intense string synths, gratuitous vibrato, kote screams, god-awful production, some headbang worthy riffage and great melodies. If this doesn't sound like an amazing time, you're in the wrong place.
 
@Original Saku's picks

"Alche(mist)" by the equal lights

My first pick this month is from a newer band that I just discovered, the equal lights. "Alche(mist)" from their first mini album LaLaLa-prima brings a blend of pop-rock and indie sounds that are a delight upon listening. Vocalist and guitarist Mishima Tetsuo does an excellent job of carrying the song forward with his soft vocal melodies that sound pleasant to the ear. Check these guys out sooner rather than later.
 
"よいよいまほろば (Yoi Yoi ma Horoba)" by 中山うり (Uri Nakayama)

Next we're taking a change of pace with the singer-songwriter Uri Nakayama and the song "Yoi Yoi ma Horoba" from her last album Mahoroba. Here we have a slow folk-y jazz number that starts off beautifully with Nakayama's warm 'miraculous' voice that she is known for and a variety of instruments make appearances throughout the song, including trumpet, accordion, and saxophone, among others. This is truly a track that gives you a soothing feeling and peace of mind. My recommendation doesn't do this song justice let alone the album, so if you love what you hear, please check out the full album if you so desire.
 
"EGO" by ARTIFACT OF INSTANT 

Once again we are gonna flip the tables and switch to something a bit different from the previous recommendation. "EGO" is a catchy alternative rock song from newly discovered act ARTIFACT OF INSTANT and their 3rd mini album Recoil. What makes this track interesting is the great energy that it gives off. From start to finish, it's one wild ride that hardly lets up. The band employs bumping bass lines, vigorous guitar riffs and drumming to achieve a very aggressive sound that pleases greatly. There is also a use of dual male female vocals that adds a nice touch to some of the chorus. Overall, a great track for the more heavy inclined this month.
 
"Lux Fugio" by ノイズ (nowisee) 

For a lot of people nowisee's (pronounced "noise") long awaited album Tenohira no Senso was the highlight of August, myself included. With the female-fronted group being largely shrouded in mystery and the monthly music video drops, the hype for this album has just been building and building all year. Although the album itself is made up of songs that most fans have heard by now through the youtube channel or app, I can tell you right now that the abridged versions don't do the full songs justice and to say that this album has no surprises for current fans would be the furthest from the truth. That brings us to one of the new songs that we have not heard before. "Lux Fugio" is a piano pop ballad that begins somber and then slowly builds into a masterpiece of a song that plateaus into a flurry of piano and vocal prowess a little half way through the track. Then, it begins to slowly cool off, and slips back into the darkness. This is the album of the month for me and has great potential for AOTY. The anticipation for this release was ridiculous and despite already having a good sample of the songs beforehand, the full versions were spectacular nonetheless.
 
@doombox's picks

"Fool's Gold" by Survive Said The Prophet

It's been a little touch-and-go for the five-piece outfit from Tokyo but in the last year the band has really gotten their feet under them. They even seemed to keep momentum whilst dealing with a recent member change, surprisingly. "Fool's Gold" is the first sample we get to hear from their upcoming full album FIXED. The song shows a more prominent post-hardcore side to the normally melodic, emo-tinged composition style the band has displayed in the past. Bassist Yudai's screams have been pushed even further to the forefront while Yosh's clean vocals hold down the catchy hooks (and perfect English lyrics). It's hard to tell if the change in musical pace for the band is due to new addition Tatsuya (ex. FAKE FACE) on guitar or was a natural evolution for the band, but either way, it's a step in the right direction.
 
"Savior" by NOTHING TO DECLARE

Surprise, surprise. I'm back again recommending another band you would never know were Japanese by only listening to them, this time with NOTHING TO DECLARE. "Savior" is a song that could easily fit in on major rock radio which leaves the band to be massively underrated in my humble opinion. This track has everything to dig its hooks deep into you. Chant-along gang vocals? Check. Big anthemic chorus? Check. Emotional, borderlining on spiritual outro? Check! I know these things are nothing original that haven't been done before but the band does a great job of keeping a fresh and genuine feeling about it that you don't find very often.
 
"ともに(tomoni)" by WANIMA

WANIMA keep the hits coming, and this summer is no different. "Tomoni" is that perfect, feel-good, summer jam that you can turn up loud and have zero regrets. Even though WANIMA's style does not change much from song to song, their message never seems to get old. The positivity and cheer this band spreads is infectious and has proved to have real staying power in the Japanese melodic punk scene. I mean, just attempt to watch their music videos without smiling. I dare you! 
 
"Nothing" by FAKE FACE

Diving into a band who likes to get a little darker with their themes and music videos, FAKE FACE have been around for a few years but have yet to really hit their stride as far as a regular release schedule goes. However, they do manage to pump out a mini album or so every other year. Their latest single, Nothing, has paired them up with Tower Records for its release, which looks like things may be starting to happen for the group. I definitely think they're worth checking out for fans of post-hardcore and alternative rock bands like ONE OK ROCK and coldrain. 
 
"パニックパニック！(Panic Panic!)" by Purple Stone

I've recommended Purple Stone previously for their song "Aoi Yami" not all that long ago. And just when I thought they couldn't improve on their already wonderful sound, the guys have really taken their music (and music videos) to the next level with "Panic Panic!". Electronic rock may be a bit of an overused trend for visual bands, but there's still something to be said for bands that know how to do it well, and Purple Stone are doing just that with synths, guitar riffs, and samples that are just as catchy as any of the vocals. It's the perfect storm to make this track an ear-creeper that will burrow its way into your brain and not let go. 
 
@tetsu_sama69's picks

"The Baptist" by Insanity Injection

I was really hoping that when I saw the cover art for this single that it was more focused on Chaos and I was not let down a single bit by this release. "The Baptist" takes a walk down a different path and is more on the melodic side of things from their previous releases. The opening is a messy storm of bass and wonderful chugging guitar that seems like it's going to be nothing special until the vocals kick in with a cacophony of awesome.  The spoken parts show up again much like "Sense of Ash" but this time they erupt into what can only be explained as a psychotic rampage of a guitar solo that melt back into a smooth verse before a twister of screams carries the song to the end. Chaos and Kyouka's voices mingle so well together it's a treat, especially when the operatic vocals are backed up with insane demonic screams that just hit the right spot for me and anyone else who appreciates the music that this band creates.
 
"真昼間は別の顔 (Mappiruma wa Betsu no Kao)"  by ペンタゴン (Pentagon) 

Typically I'm not extremely blown away by what Pentagon has brought to the table but they do make some pretty nice tunes from time to time that I have a hard time getting out of my head. Zekkyou was a pretty alright release until I ran into "Mappiruma wa Bestu no Kao" and the song got stuck on repeat for a while by means I cannot explain entirely. The song definitely stands out from their typical styling with a strange tinkering fast-paced piano bit that comes up throughout the track. The energetic jazzy pace of track overall is extremely addicting and done so well instrumentally and vocally it's almost as if I found a box of my favorite candy on my desk after coming home from work. If Pentagon can explore and do more songs with as much energy as this song then they'll definitely earn a higher placing on my list of current enjoyable visual bands.
 
"セーラー服と夏休み (Sailor Fuku to Natsuyasumi)" by スタア区。(Starku) 

Starku are definitely not playing around as they bring another amazing and solid release to the forefront with "Sailor Fuku to Natsuyasumi". After a few listens the lyrics were already ingrained in my mind and I could not stop hearing those beautiful guitar riffs that had me dancing right away. The pace changes that occur in this song are downright insane and it almost feels like a roller coaster ride of awesome for your ears from beginning to end. It's full of that wonderful super-positive charged punk rock style that Starku do so well and I definitely cannot get enough of. I find it nearly impossible to listen to their music and not find myself full of life whether it's from Reno's unique vocals or the bands overall downright talent. Starku are really coming into their own with every release and I hope the next song they put together is even better than this. 
 
"Dystopia～断罪の聖堂～ (Dystopia～Danzai no Seidou～)" by forCroiX 

If you are missing that late '00's visual style music with a lovely punch of 'gothic' synths and power metal then you have hit the jackpot. forCroiX's first and hopefully not only release Grimoire is something that should not be missed by anyone who enjoys visual kei. "Dystopia～Danzai no Seidou～" isn't a very long song but in that 3 minute and 12 second window there's a lot brought to the table for your enjoyment. The opening piano track bursts into a heavy mix of chugging instrumentals and powerful vocals that just don't seem to have any idea where the brakes are. The guitar solo is so maddeningly paced that I can't even think of a better way to describe than insanely good. I really hope that forCroiX gets a bit more attention for their first album and they return quickly from their hiatus and not disappear into the ether like many other visual bands.
 
Guest picks
 
@Ada Suilen's picks
 
"Presto" by Hizaki

One of the most prolific Japanese musicians of visual kei scene brings up a wonderful instrumental album, where there's something for everyone's taste; I enjoy the most virtuous works of the guitarist, this track suited me more than what I could expect: an incredibly fast rhythm, with Hizaki ready to bring glory and potency in a single hit (the homage to Vivaldi's "Summer" is simply gorgeous!), accompanied by a beautiful violin; a track that is pretty hard to forget.
 
"正義のヒーロー (Seigi no hero)" by R指定 (R-Shitei)

I have to admit that I don't dig this band so much (apart from few songs such as "Suicide Memories"), but with their 23rd single they caught my attention a little more, not much for the title song, but for the b-side; a real plot twist for me, where an unknown energy is unleashed in a piercing and adrenalinic rock sound. Mamo's interpretation is incredibly awesome even for himself, helped by good bass lines. If you aren't accustomed with energetic R-Shitei, this is your time!
 
That's all for this month!
Thanks for listening and if you would like to submit a guest blurb for next month please contact @doombox!

More bands :
己龍 (Kiryu),
Angelo
Plastic Tree
A9
lynch.
Psycho le Cému
vistlip
cali≠gari
R指定 (R-Shitei)
LM.C
Royz
DIAURA
LADIESROOM
THE SLUT BANKS
Gargoyle
TOKYO YANKEES
NOCTURNAL BLOODLUST
DEZERT
DaizyStripper
ダウト (D=OUT)
ASH DA HERO
FEST VAINQUEUR
摩天楼オペラ (Matenrou Opera)
heidi.
Versailles
THE THIRTEEN
HERO
defspiral
THE MICRO HEAD 4N'S.

their live-limited single "限定解錠(gentei kaijou)" will be released at their live since their first live at Sapporo KRAPS HALL at 2016/05/12
 
[track list]
01.傍観者の夜明け(boukansha no yoake)
02.施錠(sejou)