My list, the order is pretty rough. Probably my opinion on some of the list will be different tomorrow hehe,
10. BUCK-TICK Kurutta Taiyou
One of the most important VK bands. To pick one of their 15+ albums (which are all near perfect) as a favorite is no easy task. However kurutta taiyou was a really important step for the band, finally stepping out of their "80s sound" and moving to new era with new styles. Includes some gems like speed and jupiter and is really perfect from start to finish. Early 90s in general was BT's most prolific era imo as all albums 90-96 are among my favorite.
9. Kagrra- San
While I perhaps would choose ouka ranman or nue as favorite release, San is by far my favorite full album. It really is the culmination of their career imo. San is THE neo japanesque album. It captures what the band had done so well in their previous release with traditional japanese instrumentals/chanting and turning their incredible sound into more catchy pop tunes. With clean production, much improved vocals, and the song satsuki San represents what Kagrra did amazingly.
8 MUCC- Shion
If I look at my last.fm top 2 played songs (by a far shot) are fuzz and libra. Fuck these are good songs. This album was a real departure in sound for the band, however they had been experimenting a lot more with each album since kuchiki no tou really. This album was heavy at times, disco, pop, sweet ballads, and even a little metal thrown in. Its really successful at keeping my interest, has a great flow (despite the flop song flight), and blends styles beautifully. 梟の揺り篭, shiva, shion, libra, fuzz, game are standouts for me!
7 Plastic Tree- Traumerai
Plastic Tree took me quite a long time to warm to (many years from first listen to becoming fan). It seemed I had only listened to random songs and their worst album still for me (shiro chronicle). After giving Traumerai a listen years later I was won over. Top tracks; Glider, aoi tori, gerbera, hello, 雨ニ唄エバ
6 Guniw Tools- Dazzle
In my opinion Guniw Tools is probably the most underappreciated bands among vk/japanese music fans. For a band to have such creativity and beautifully diverse music to be so unpopular is always a surprise to me. Dazzle marked a huge change for GT. Previously they were a trio with most music written by Jake. They had a much more ethereal, nature derived sound I could only define as whimsical. Dazzle was their first album as duo and you could really tell it was different! Dazzle is a fantastic electronic album. Much darker and more eerie than music they had released before. Border of taboo sets the mood perfectly. tooi toori, pictures of utopia, drop an oar are other favorites. Fickle boon and Niwlun are right behind Dazzle in terms of quality and I could recommend them almost as strongly.
5 Deadman- No Altnernative
Best Nagoya-kei album by the best nagoya-kei band. Many people prefer in the direction of sunrise... from what I can tell but no alternative is always my favorite. Aie's guitar and Mako's vocals really make this album quite memorable. 盲目の羽根と星を手に, 苦悩の中の耐え難い存在, ドリスからの手紙. The new 2.0 version I anticipated quite greatly and I really appreciate the sharper sounds.
4 D'espairsRay- Mirror
My favorite D'espairsray album!! (take that coll:set). While coll:set does have some of the bands best songs, it can't touch mirror in terms of a cohesive album. It's great start to finish. I had this on repeat for months. Damned is a strong opener, going into trickster and mirror both with similar feel. SIXty∞NINe has an almost marilyn manson feel and groovy grunge. 凍える夜に咲いた花 and screen are 2 of the bands most beautiful songs to date. 凍える夜に咲いた花 single was special to me as I saw them in concert live the first time they played this song/wearing promotion outfits from it. Lost scene is the only missing link for me on the album, fairly skippable. Hollow makes you want to sing along. Last 3 songs on the album are among the best. First angeldust is the highlight of the album for me. Heavy, melodic, with almost fantasy feel to it. The vocals are some of Hizumi's best. Squall is an amazing pop song that drew ire of many fans but I think people grew to love it. Last kaleidoscope closes this nearly perfect album!
3 MUCC- houmura uta
Swim taiyaki-kun! zetsubou, mama, mae e, suimin, zuta zuta. This album is schizo and incredibly delicious. Has the best of heavy and raw early MUCC with a few quirky songs. Zekuu is also a great early mucc album, but is not quite as diverse as homura uta and also not as fun to listen to despite having some of MUCC's classic songs. I really recommend it.
2 Dir en grey- Macabre
Another album that took me some time to really appreciate it. For a while I always appreciate kisou and vulgar more to it. A few years ago I had a real listening epiphany and since I have always been in love with this album. It is DEG's most experimental and diverse album for sure (though kisou also is up in the running). Perhaps Uroboros is a better album (and since its not VK I wont consider it here) but Macabre is fun to listen to, and keeps me more interested with its insane mix of songs. Myaku is the only song I don't too much like. Deity is a really great opener, starting like normal DEG song, with some fantastic russian chanting, and chaotic noises. Riyuu and audrey are both quite beautiful slow pop/rock songs. A bit ballad heavy, hotarubi, macabre, and zakuro are all 3 really heavy hitting ballads. They are really dense, sad, and complicated. My appreciation for them only increases on each listen. I love the shit out of hydra (but enjoy hydra 666 more sorry original!). What makes this album so great are songs like berry, taiyou no ao, kr cube, and egnirys cimredophy. These are the quirkiest and most uncharacteristic songs Deg has released (along with jessica on kisou). I love hearing people bitch about taiyou no ao. If you didn't know Deg's early music and checked out the video you'd be a bit shocked, but I think it's a beautiful pop song and great close to the album.
1 Luna Sea- Mother
\
Mother of all that is good and holy. Image and style also came to mind when making this list. But I could only choose mother. Luna Sea is the most important VK of the 90s imo. Rosier, genesis of mind, and mother are really the highlights of this album. However every song is perfect. It's really quite special. Go listen!
Other honorable mentions- 9goats- Tanatos, Rentrer en Soi- Rentrer en soi, MUCC- gokusai, Dir en grey- kisou, guniw tools- fickle boon, cali=gari - Dai 6, Sel'm- Brilliant force, Plastic Tree- nega to poji, (every album by) Buck-Tick- six/nine, Buck-Tick darker than darkness, heidi.-kasou