Ikna

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.

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:

That's really unexpected. I wonder what his reason is to leave the group (we will probably never find out). Thankfully he was "just" the drummer, so they should be able to continue.

*aus dem Grab hier reinstürz* Jup. Lange nichts mehr von ihnen gehört. Ich will ein neues Piass album ;___; Oder zumindest ein Lebenszeichen, denn irgendwie scheint es so, als würden sie überhaupt nichts mehr machen (auch keine Lives spielen) Es gibt so viele Bands, von denen ich gerne etwas noch hören würde. Ich fands schade, dass La'Mule nicht eine richtige Reunion hatten und jetzt endgültig getrennt sind. Außerdem sollte Setsuna (ex- Metis Gretel) auch endlich mal Musik mit seinem neuem Projekt veröffentlichen.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k_NPjhQ_Qlw Then of course some other old and well known classics: Luna Sea – Rosier Malice Mizer – lots of their stuff, but mainly the merveilles album Sleep My Dear – Ask for Eyes Eins:Vier – I feel that she will come Dir en grey – Anything from their GAUZE album Madeth gray'll – Anything, as they are just awesome (and fuck'n kvllt) La'Mule – Inspire, Curse, Fantasy, Wing There are actually many more, but I don't want to make an ass huge list.

Seriously, nothing can beat this PV in terms of silliness:

As the title inquires, if you didn`t have Japanese music (VK, Indie, Pop, Idol, Electronic, or whatever you like / love) what would you be listening to, and how would your life be different? I am already listening to a lot of Post-Punk, New Wave, Goth, Darkwave and so on. I am sure I'd find plenty of good music to listen to if I didn't have any japanese bands. My life wouldn't really change that drastically, only my music taste and my music library. How much does Japanese music add to your life? Between 2004 and 2006 I was a giant weeb, but now I am not that much interested into learning japanese and dress trve Veekay everyday. I still style myself, but not necessarily VK. But it's really fun to dress up "old skewl" some times and emulate old cheesy 90s VK make up. But I really suck at the hairstyling, have no money for decent clothes, can't sew for shit, so… VK does however influence my crappy art, if that counts (I like to draw androgynous guys with lots of make up and wearing latex *cough*). But I think nothing would drastically change without japanese music in my life. Would there be any benefits to not having it, like a heavier wallet or bigger bank account? Or is it just plain worth it? Not really, since I am broke and therefore don't buy so many releases. I only have maybe 2 bands I spend money on, all my other CDs have been bought second hand (for way less money). Most of my music is digital, but then most of the bands I listen to aren't active anymore. Do you have irreplaceable friends you found through Japanese music? Yeah, I have met people online through it. I am however very lame and inactive and so we do not talk as often. ;__; I don't really know anyone in real life or my environment listening to japanese music though and I mostly keep it for myself too. Has it opened up your life more? Gave you an interest in Japanese culture? How would your interests change if you didn`t have this music? My 13 year old self would probably say "Yes, it's da bestest thing on da world, fuck mainstream muzak! Long live JAPAN!!!" But I have grown out of that phase. I certainly like to read about japanese customs and I think the language is beautiful. But I genereally find other cultures fascinating and it's always nice to learn about other people and their language. Unfortunately I am a noob at learning languages and I am glad enough that I can express myself to a certain degree in English. If I hadn't come into contact with VK I would have still known about Japan and become a weeb, simply because I was an Anime and Manga fan already before discovering the music. Also I was in a class with at least 3 other Anime fans and we all were great and pathetic weebs. Can't really say that it opened up my life. It's just music. And I don't read Japanese, so most of the time I had no fucking clue about the content of the songs. It wasn't until maybe 2007 or 2008 that I started to search for some translations. Also in my opinion japanese music is just music and music from any country can have insightful lyrics or speak to you on an emotional level. I don't see how japanese music is more special or different in this. But for me personally music is inspiring, escapistic and just enjoyable.

The funny thing is that his old Matina bands sounded way better and have been better produced, despite the majority of other bands on the label sounding crappy. In Syndrome's songs you can even hear Kisaki's Bass very clearly at times. But isn't it generally the case, that a lot of modern bands (not only VK) are produced way too loudly?

They don't look so drastically different actually… seems they only have about three or four costumes (maybe they are too broke to buy more). I am more interested into samples or previews of Kuroi Yuri no Hana. It's not long until it's released.

I really love their sound! Looking forward to the single

Their announcment was a bummer… normally I expect good news when bands do this :/

Jup, ich könnte sicherlich. Wenn ich eben Geld hätte ;___; Ich hoffe echt, dass ich bald einen Job habe. Es ist so blöd, wenn man finanziell von anderen abhängig ist. The Piass würde ich auch mal sehr gerne sehen. Aber so wie es aussieht sind die viel zu unbekannt. Und irgendwie haben die seit Ewigkeiten nichts mehr gemacht, oder?

I hope there will be PVs feauturing Mao pimping his jrockz car and sexy asian gurlz.