Vercingetorix

Can't blame him - they've been shite for years

Iconic, you say? Guess they must've passed me by. Anyhoo, these ladies also have some farewell tribute album in the works - they stopped taking auditions for it last Tuesday.

Ain't it Amaterase? (Briefly thought this was some new band)

Heard about this via Mina (Destrose, FATE GEAR) before the English-language music press started breaking the news. I think she studied under him at MI Japan, but yeah, this video she posted broke my heart.

Taking the definition of "solo" a bit literally, aren't you?

Another KAMIJO success story.

Guess they couldn't harness the power of the Schwartz...

Look subdued enough that they might actually last the year. Following Leda's example?

Me and you both.

Hard to think of a less snappy topic title.

Big loss for the Sendai scene, though they should've ended when singer #1 had to leave. No shame in starting over.

Terrible news for YUI, but otherwise meh, it was like they went on hiatus after WOMAN anyway. That track on Urban Night which Toki (Aldious) guested on was their only good song in 3 years.

Schwarz Stein: visual kei's answer to the Pet Shop Boys. #HoraTilIDie

A superstar team? It was my understanding the singer and bassist were both unknowns before FED.

Iori from Magistina Saga: her vocals are as flat as the band's songwriting.

Someone needs a sidekick...

Heh. Wasn't sure if you were just an onlooker desensitized by the revolving door of visual kei, so touché on that one. But yeah, I don't expect this to change a damned thing either - certainly didn't stop R.E.M. or 1D (unfortunately). Still. I understand the sense of shock, especially with lack of a statement or anything. Knowing how invested some post-rock fanboys/girls are in these groups, it's gonna feel a bit like being dumped by text.

Err, sure, in most cases, I'd agree, but this band's been the same four people for 17 years solid. For fans, this is like Bill Berry quitting R.E.M. or, uh, Zayn quitting One Direction.

(Yeah, sorry, that first reply was a tad first-year Lit student) Basically, I reckon she's been pressured by the obsession with 'keeping things in the family' many Japanese businesses have to ditch the music career. Wouldn't surprise me if her family saw her music career as an extended 'gap year' between graduating and joining the family firm.

Right, THE EGOIST - not be confused with that anison duo... Hmm, isn't this the VK band whose singer went AWOL somewhere in Tohoku this year? Murk gets murkier.

Doesn't sound like the motive is 100% fiscal - the whole "family business" aspect suggests Confucian obligation.

Featuring Kaya?

Going on recent form, it may be just the one L'Arc tune to go with the 3 months of overblown promo.

HYDE and the other guy are taking a break due to overheated engines, apparently. Doesn't sound like a perma-split so they'll be back out of the pits at some point, possibly with new rims. I'm guessing L'Arc~en~Ciel have plans.

The wig with the chin-strap was always a personal fave.