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)
