miyavizeddiru18

Well, it's been a while since I was active in the jrock and VK community (has it really been over 5 years?), so I'm not sure if anyone remembers me from previous communities like this, but I've been feeling the need to reconnect with the music I love and the other people who love it just as much.
 
Let's start with what brought me to Monochrome Heaven: youtube auto play introduced me to a bunch of new bands I hadn't heard of! Of course, I was basically living in the VK world of 5-8 years ago, so rather easy not to hear of new bands that would be of interest. Particular bands that stood out were Aiolin (violin melded beautifully with guitar? Yes please), Yusai, and Wagakki Band (not exactly VK, but somewhat in the vein of Enka-rock that Tsukasa has been playing with the last few years). There are a few others that were of interest, but I only heard one song, so not sure if I'm actually interested in them yet or not.
 
As for my favourite artists over the years, my introduction to VK was Dir en Grey back in 2004. I think my first song by them was Yokan (which continues to be a favourite to this day), then Raison D'etre, followed by Garden. Around the same time I was also introduced to Gackt and Malice Mizer. Yes, my experience is probably very similar to many that found VK in the late 90's to early 2000's. I moved quickly into other artists as well, including Due'le Quartz, Miyavi, Kagrra,, D, D'espairs Ray, Phantasmagoria, and Rentrer en Soi. I also listened to many other bands with varying degrees of love (sometimes a single song, sometimes whole discographies).
 
For my previous involvement in the VK community, I used to be very active when there was a large community on LiveJournal, which is where most people will know me from, if they know me at all. I was always happy to share music, pictures, and a good discussion on a great band. I'm hoping that in joining Monochrome Heaven, I can recapture some of the feeling from back then and contribute anew to the community as a whole.
 
Douzo yoroshiku onegai shimasu~ どうぞよろしくお願いします～

So... this list is based on me not listening to anything new in the VK world for the last.... at least 5 years, up until about a month ago XD While there are some other bands that are inching into the top 10, I haven't heard enough by any of them yet to secure their spots. So, here is my very old top 10 XD
 
1. Kagrra, - by far and away. There will likely never be another band that takes this spot (I include Shiki Project here because it was so sadly short-lived v.v)
2. D
3. Girugamesh
4. D'espairs Ray
5. Tsukasa Mogamigawa
6. Miyavi (2006 and before, specifically. Can't speak to anything post 2010 as I haven't listened to him much since then)
7. Dir en Grey (up til about 2010? Again, haven't listened to much that's come out after then, so couldn't really say lol)
8. Phantasmagoria
9. Due'le Quartz
10. Sugar
Bonus: The very brief VK phase of the Korean band The Trax (still sad that half the band left and the other half went full-on kpop)

10 Types of J-Music Fans
 
 
 
 
The Casual That moment when you actually try to talk about visual kei with someone.
 
 
Pros: Potentially interested in learning more.
Cons: Unfamiliar with anything else an artist may have done.
 
 
 
 
The Expat
I'm into plush dolls. Native women are so overrated...
 
 
Pros: Did you need that ameblo post translated? They know a guy...
Cons: Will probably find a way to make every music discussion about j-music.
 
 
 
 
The Hoarder
The visual kei ward will be fresh af bby
 
 
Pros: They definitely have that super rare live distro file you've been looking for in flac.
Cons: It's just on their hard drive from 2001 packed up in storage.
 
 
 
 
The Otaku
How otakus share rarez
 
 
Pros: Deep and knowledgeable about music, may have variety in taste, love spreading music
Cons: Can be very difficult to find common ground musically, don't like sharing, neurotic habits
 
 
 
 
The Historian
Visual kei alone would take up half the chart but historians disagree on how many different sub -keis there should be.
 
 
Pros: A walking encyclopedia of obscure musical knowledge
Cons: Doesn't know anything about anyone you would care about
 
 
 
 
The Elitist
Start by listening to some real music n00b
 
 
Pros: Actually has dope music taste (on occasion)
Cons: Spends too much time being an asshole, too selective, not open to new things
 
 
 
 
The Shadow
Is it safe to come out?
 
 
Pros: The coolest peeps in the scene for sure.
Cons: Rarely ever advertise themselves as a J-Music fan
 
 
 
The Bangya Believe it or not they're sitting in assigned order.
 
 
Pros: They actually support the movement.
Cons: Describe going to lives as 参戦 (lit. "going to war").
 
 
 
 
The Hype Beast
This new visual kei band's releasing a 7-TYPE live distributed 30 copy single campaign based on the days of the week all recorded, mixed, and mastered in the same day! Pre-ordered all seven already!
 
 
Pros: They're on top of everything that's happening
 
Cons: Listens to Instigate the Grief and THE RUDIE SATAN PARK for pleasure.
 
 
 
The Tanuki
qurl you won't believe what i just found about about satsuki...
 
 
Pros: They got all the details about everyone
Cons: All but one of them are a lie (and they might not know which)
 
 
I hope you enjoyed the read! Are there any you think I missed? Comment and leave them below.