Ikna

So good to see them back. I really love them, Gilly has a really cool voice and their music is the kind of deathrock/Goth I enjoy (and it's done right).

It would be cool if they both have a comeback. As long as it doesn't end up being a mess like Ruellia's.

Thanks for the suggestions. I am making myself crazy at the moment by comparing so many phones D:
I am definitely getting an unlocked phone, as I don't have the budget or motivation for a contract. I don't want to get an Iphone – too expensive and I dislike that it doesn't have slots for extra storage.

I was thinking about getting a samsung s4 mini (but it's full with apps you can't deinstall). I am having the moto g on my list as well. How good is it audio wise and will apps such as Lastfm scrobbler and spotify run on it without problems?
Sadly all other phones I'd fancy are too espensive. I tried to search for shops carrying cheaper sony models, but there are none in Austria. You can only get the Z or M series.

^ I bet some people will yell "blackface!" when seeing this. To me it looks as if he was a chimney sweeper.

There is potential in this band, but I am not really liking the clean vocals. They need some work.

Looks interesting. Hopefully we can hear more soon.

Oh dear, the infamous "VK genre/style" thing. One of the main problems with it is that it is highly disputable if VK itself is a genre. Quite a lot of people have made good points in the past why it isn't and how it's merely an umbrella term for rock or pop bands from japan putting make up on their face. On the other side there are arguments that proof that there is somewhat of a consistency or pattern in VK music. Does it mean that it's a music genre after all?

I personally can't answer it. The old, 90s VK music I mainly listen to does have a certain sound, even if it's as huge and diverse as VK is today (on one side you had the glam metal and hardrock groups; on the other you've got the goth and post-punk influenced ones. And then there were the soft, light and poppy bands too). I end up labeling Matina bands and similiar Kote kei though, even if it's not a legit "genre" and even if it's image has been mostly formed by the fans rather than the bands. It just helps a bit for finding some of that typical "old school" flair. I think most of us can agree though, that despite the direct line age, 00s VK isn't entirely the same as 90s VK. One could even say that 00s bands were different in both look and sound than the 10s bands. of course it seems silly to make a new label or tag for every era so I can understand the reasoning.

Going purely by the looks of VK groups is silly; one should at least consider to analyze the full package (especially the music) to decide whether or not something belongs to a new type of genre or style. The way a VK group can express themselves are endless, yet there are certain trends. That doesn't justify the creation of a new style or otherwise we'd have silly things such as "Vampire kei", "Princess kei", "Clown kei" or "Cosplay kei".
I remember when some "I know more shit about VK than you"-weaboo posted a list of invented VK genres on a German forum and the number of people who started to use the terms, including "debiru kei", "goochikku kei" (lol, seriously?), "porno kei" and more. I guess that's where most of these imaginary genres, including eroguro kei, are coming from. Oshare kei is probably a legit description, even if it just describes the visuals. But Oshare bands have their own sound and also often their own fanbase. Nagoya kei is surely a complicated case, but I have seen it being used by japanese people, though mainly referring to bands such as Silver~Rose, ROUAGE or With Sexy. Nagoya kei had a huge influence on VK in general and  a lot of bands who weren't from the location, adopted the sound. So it's difficult to say how much Nagoya kei really is a style or not. Soft visual is another canditate. I have seen it very often on japanese sites and as title of music playlists on NicoNico. I guess it could be a legit term.

Angura kei, as far as I know, isn't even directly connected to VK. It just means "underground style". Eroguro kei sounds strange too. Eroguro is, if I am not telling shit, a type of horror related art style. At least it was at the beginning, when it was used to describe the stories created by Maruo Suehiro. His works had a huge influence on VK, especially in the 90s. If eroguro kei would be a thing, about 80% of the dark indie VK bands of the 90s would be eroguro kei. That just doesn't make much sense. Mejibray are probably not eroguro either. Tsuzuku is known to like some old VK clichés, even if his band's musical style is "modern". But he made several hommages to the old manga Kissxxxx, which was heavily connected to early 90s VK. Also horror elements and Suehiro references are cool in VK every once in a while.
About DIAURA: I wouldn't say they are oshare kei or kote kei or even any kind of kei except just Visual kei. They are using elements from here and there, both in their music and visuals, but they never end up sounding completely like their sources. Kote kei is still a rather disputable term, but DIAURA are 100% not oldschool. I'd say even Grieva are more oldschoolish.
 

I think it's an interesting subject to talk about, but probably not suited for this thread, so I am sorry if I am off topic.
I belive it's fairly well known by now what kind of VK music I like. I definitely have a preference towards the late 80s, 90s to early 00s. I am using to describe it as "oldschool" because it's easier that way (for me). I dig some new bands as well, but I rather go for appeal, musical style, image/visuals, concept and so on rather than "style". As long as it's not too poppy, no 0815 metal- or deathcore, techno or the like it has potential fo me to be likeable. I am heading mostly towards anything related to post-punk, punk rock, glam, goth or alternative. I feel these genre terms are more useful, as VK bands can really play any kind of music.

a few of their releases are on CDJapan. But yeah, their stuff is not as accessible and early releases hard to find. That Gallo x AvelCain coupling single hasn't surfaced here or anywhere else either.

About the album: I really dig the previews. I just love Jojo's maniacal, unique and dramatic singing. The Gallo are definitely one of the best (or better) VK bands around these days.

Great that they have found someone so fast. Now I hope we'll see a new album soon. (Maybe I can rekindle my love for this band, who knows)

Reviving this old thread because I am planning to get my first smartphone maybe for Christmas. I was a casual user of cellphones before, but I rarely used them because I actually dislike telephone conversations.

My current Nokia cellphone is getting 5 years old and the battery is bad. Also I think it's impossible tobe abstinent from the current smartphone trend as soon everyone will have one and you just can't find many cellphones. Now I am thinking what I should get and it's difficult since I have no clue about them.

I am not really someone who talks often on the phone. What's important for me is maybe a decent camera, a good size (not too big or too small), enough memory and space for some small apps and especially images and music (I probably end up using the phone mainly for playing music). I don't necessarily need a HD screen as I don't plan to play games or watch tv. Oh and it shouldn't be too expensive (100-250€ price range are okay)

I've thought about getting a Samsung phone, but I am not sure and there so many diferent models in the budget class section… @.@

I buy only CDs. I bought a photoset once, maybe I'd get some more. But I can't afford it and I'd rather spend my money for other things.

I know a girl who went to the same art school as me ad she studied japanese. It's true that the job prospects are really bad and she has no clue what she is going to do with her degree. But she started to study it because she's interested in learning the language and not because she is a weeb or expects to be able to live in Japan. But then, in my country, studying is still affordable and given your parents can financially support you, you can finsih your studies without having debts as a student loan isn't required, unless you are piss poor or are studying much longer than you need.

I myself have tried to learn a bit japanese, but I am generally very bad at learning new languages, so i gave up. Maybe one day I'd try it again, but I am not that motivated either.

I believe (so that's very subjective) that many people just don't like it when Asagi pushes himself clearly to sound more epic and operatic. Now I am personally not a huge fan of operas (although i was once a huge Symphonic Metal fan. Maybe I am just too overfed with it) and I can understand it when people say they are annoyed when Asagi tries to show off his amazing singer skillz. I also think that his "normal" singing voice is beautiful enough and that at many parts of D songs an epic baritone or falsetto interlude aren't needed. I think that's also the problem many listeners have with Kyo as well. Many Dir en grey songs would work just fine without his strange falsetto impressions. It is, in the end, more a matter of taste as many others like those elements and appreciate them.

More like bad weeks. I am having stomachaches, backpain  and my hair is thinning out. I am really afraid to go to a doctor, because I don't wanna know if I have something serious. But I probably have to .___.

I am taking the freedom to revive this thread, though with a more specific question (or more of a personal thought I want to share). I have been thinking the last days a lot about the connection and possible influence of japanese popculture, especially manga and anime, and Visual kei.

Now we surely have all come in contact with a lot of foreign "journalists" who branded Visual kei as some kind of real life version of Manga characters. I am sure we all can disagree with them at first though it's understandable that they come to that conclusion as many VK hairstyles seem to be borrowed right from a shonen manga. But maybe that assumption isn't even that far off. So comes my question: did Mangas and Animes have had an influence on Visual kei? And how big is it? Are VK bands the real life versions of a shojo manga reading girl's wet dreams?

It's certain that Visual kei music and bands had influence over Manga artists so it seems more logical that the type of leather wearing bishonen with long or crazy styled hair are the result of manga artists stanning for their favourite musicians and vocalists. See Kaori Yuki who is probably most well known for having integrated typical VK fashion into her Mangas (especially Angel Sanctuary, which is filled with VK guys). I remember people pointing out that some of her characters are even based on real VK bandmember, such as Hyde (L'arc~en~Ciel)

What I found very interesting (and a nice look into early 90s VK history) was the connection between VK and Shojo mangas. In 1989 Manga-ka Kusumoto Maki started to work on the shojo manga Kissxxx. The story is about the love between the singer Kanon and the sister of his bands' bassist. Kanon is the vocal of a punk band called "Die Küsse" (which may ring a bell). Maki was apparently inspired by local punk, post-punk and wave bands and bases the look of Kanon on those. At the same time Visual kei was taking influences from these genres as well. I am not sure if Visual rock already existed as a word at that time, but Kanon can still be seen as your prototypical VK guy.

According to comments surrounding the manga Kissxxx had a huge influence on VK (and not the other way round it seems). It may be oldest record of the phrase "Eins, Zwei, Drei, Vier" to appear in connection with VK. I don't think it has started to be become a ctachphrase in VK until 1990 at least. (but someone can proof me wrong anytime)

In the early 90s Penicllin have made a song and video about the manga, featuring Hakuei as Kanon (and replaying some of the key scenes of the manga. Also all outfits are based on the original character's clothes)

Then there was a 90s VK band called DIE KUSSE. Mejibray named a song after the fictional band too, but according to Tsuzuku the song isn't directly connected to the manga (but the line "eins, zwei, drei, vier" is referenced and according to the same interview about the single Meto aimed for the punk look because Kanon was in a punk band). I am sure there are many more groups referencing the story or taking inspiration from it. Kusumoto Maki also did a illustration for the cover of Vk band's Gilles de Rais album 殺意. And I think Deshabillz borrowed a picture from an eye (in one of the chapter pages) from the manga for a cover of their tape.

So yeah… maybe that does add a bit to the whole 90s Vk history and where it got it's influences. It would be cool if someone was able to translate really old magazine articles as this would help "recovering" some of it's history. I find it strange how no one has ever mentioned the influence of manga in such a discussion though.

@seikun: does that whole symphonic (+power) metal thing á la Versailles, Megaromania and Synk;yet count as oldschool? (I personally don't think so, even though there are people calling these bands Kote kei). Because this group looks to head toward this direction. But we'll have to wait until they actually give us a real song to judge their sound. This preview doesn't give much away (except symphonic vibes, but it can be misleading)

Really dig it! I like Chiaki's singing style. His vocals me not be the strongest, but he sure knows how to use his voice to make the songs even more interesting. I also agree that they have a strong mid 00s VK thing going on, which makes me always a bit nostalgic. And they can pull it off rather well too.

Now I am excited for the album. I hope there will be previews for all songs.

I have never cared for this band, but now I think I regret it and need to check out their stuff.

I have heard little of SADS and I don't even like most of what Kuroyume have releases (mostly starting at ca. 95), but I really dig the early Kuroyume releases, so I voted for them.

I wonder if they change their sound too. Name chages often come with the band heading towards a different style or new direction, at least in VK.

^yeah, sorry I have overlooked it. But with VK bands you never know if that's the true reason though. Anyway, I don't want to spawn a useless discussion.

Well, yeah. I can't remember their old concept being special or anything anyway. I prefer this style... I don't mind the AvelCain influenced looks, etc, would rather have that than Royz or some shit.

This! We already have enough groups that look like Royz & Co. So I guess it's fine if there is another "we are edgy and dark" band. Also it's VK and in VK bands have copied each other since basically forever. I think it's interesting though how this band went from typical 2010s colourful VK to a darker style as it's normally the other way round (but then we don't have any preview of their new sound yet only a trailer. Maybe they still end up sounding completely different than AvelCain)

"new groove". I wish they would just stick to their old formula, which worked really well. Seriously, more synths and less growls please.

Kyouka has never been good at clean singing, especially in ballads and calmer songs. Which is why I always preferred his songs full of screaming and maniacal laughter over the ballads.

Another member leabing a nostalgie kei band. And La'veil already had member changes, they seem to be very unstable… I hope they can continue, at least until they release something bigger than a demo tape D: