Umi_Niwa

I really love them. They are a very impressive band, with loads of really awesome songs! I enjoy listening to all their albums and I really hope we'll hear even more from them real soon.

Im really so so so happy that this band is still around, I dont even remember how I came across them.
On youtube somehow, but i just know that I instantly fell in love.
 
Even after all the shit that went down with danchou, Im happy that they've been able to move past it and keep on going instead of disbanding and leaving a void in my heart
*emoemo*

I came on here to check something one last time, and I saw all of your comments. I can't abandon this place after reading them. I shall return now, but I won't be on as frequently xo

Since I can't stand the Mejibray/GazettE-stanning that's taken over this topic and has gotten away from the original intent, I'm bringing it back. I'm also giving you all something new to talk about since new unpopular opinions have ceased to surface over the last page or so.

Visual kei is not a genre or an aesthetic movement. It's a paradoxical manifestation of an anomaly against the negatives of Japanese culture.

This is closely related to the problem of "what is visual kei?".

Stolen shamelessly from Wikipedia, a genre is defined as
 
 
We can stop right here. Before you start processing the definition, ask yourself "what is visual kei"? We can have a ten page discussion about that in this topic right now and still not come to a consensus. Visual kei is an open-ended, ill-defined term exploited by both us and the bands in the scene to refer to whatever we please. We agree to disagree on what the term is supposed to mean and take it at face value when someone tells us that a band is or isn't visual kei anymore.

By definition, visual kei can't be a genre because we can only define it by what it is not, and very conservatively at that. The difference between newbies and veterans in the scene mostly comes down to context sensitivity determining band classification. What do I mean by this? Well, we can all look at a band or an idol group and very clearly say "this is not visual kei". But if we look at a visual kei band next to a band that uses theatrical make-up and aesthetic elements, we get into murky territory. Sometimes it is, sometimes it isn't. Newbies lack the knowledge to make this distinction, and utilize only the looks to say whether or not a band is visual. Then, they get lashed upon by fans of that band who "don't want to associate this band with those bands" for getting it wrong, and they learn. Eventually they learn only to label a band as visual kei if they describe themselves as such or if someone else before them says it first. [1]

The thing is, the newbies have the right approach at first. They get into the scene, they hear that it's a genre, and seek to classify it. But before long they realize that over the span of twenty years, visual kei has birthed bands that sound very, very different. Going off of sound alone, all bands that were ever considered visual kei can't be connected short of a definition so vague it's useless. So then we turn to the costumes and theatrics and claim that as a large component of what makes a band visual. But even there, we can piece together different bands that don't look anything alike - some bands which don't look remotely visual at all - and claim they are all visual kei. Hell, lynch. has looked like a normal band for quite some time and there's still a heated debate to whether or not they're visual kei. On the first page of this very topic, one of the unpopular opinions was that "Dir en grey is still visual". Once again, you now have bands that have very little in common aesthetic wise and short of a very vague, useless definition we have nothing to go off of.

So I've basically run through this problem, haven't given a solution and haven't explained my point (or have I?). What gives?

Well as a fandom we tend to separate visual kei bands based on decades, so let's do that:

- The mysterious late 80's, which most of us like to pretend doesn't exist, full of bands that play some form of rock or metal.
- The music of the 90's, which is usually thought of as bands inspired by Victorian and goth costumes playing...well, whatever they want.
- The 00's, which was populated by lots of flashy costumes, usually subdivided into subkeis to better be able to classify and understand bands but still full of bands playing whatever they want.
- The 10's, which seems to have a preponderance of electronic elements in the music but for the most part still full of plenty of different bands playing whatever they please.

And even here we tend to simplify this as to "80s HAIR METAL, 90'S GOFF MUZIK, 00'S KEI ON KEI ACTION/RAWRCORE, 10'S WUB-WUBCORE", which illustrates the points I made above. As a fan, you get to a point where you realize that the term can't be defined and thus you stop. The working definition is "If a band wants to be visual kei, they'll be visual kei. When they don't, they're no longer visual kei". [2]  So doesn't this describe a movement, which brings together people just as different for a common cause? Let's go through all of the things that should make a movement and see if it lines up.

Well let's see:

- Coordinated group action. Well, visual kei isn't very rebellious or subversive, outside of the low barrier to entry being offensive to some people's ears and the costumes being offensive to some people's eyes. Unless there is this entire "point" they all share that we've missed for forever and a day, I believe that most bands focus on staying functional over staying Stallman-esque in their beliefs. [3] And frankly, I can't blame them. Pragmatism rules. [4]

- A common cause. But what is that cause and do all bands share it? As I said above, we really don't think of visual kei as something as much as we do as an entity against something. But even that "entity" changes over time, reflected by the different forms of visual kei. So do the bands of the late 80's and the bands of today share the same goal? Yes and no. [5]

- People from different walks of life. We can't say too much because we don't know the details of most musicians. Note however that on a macro scale most visual kei bands are Japanese and many tend to gravitate around a few cities on the mainland. We also can surmise that a lot of these musicians are poor or struggling. We also haven't seen the scene take root in any other countries with similar situations. In this sense, it represents a truly Japanese problem - disillusioned youth versus "The System". If it's a movement here, it's on a small scale.

Visual kei is too anti-classification to be a genre and too inconclusive to be a movement. So what is it?

My admittedly semantic description of visual kei is that of a paradoxical anomaly. It exists, full of people perpetuating it unaware of it's purpose, fighting against an issue that plagues the Japanese society whilst embodying almost every characteristic of that society. What is that issue? Well, I believe the issue lies in the extreme conformity and deference to authority found in the society, coupled with high expectations placed upon every member of that society, along with a thirty year recession that has stagnated the Japanese economy and makes it hard to achieve the life every Japanese person feels it is their duty to obtain.

A strictly Japanese problem. [6]

Visual kei exists as an antagonist to everything in that society, even definition, because it refuses to conform. It's piloted by people who know full they may never see success but toil anyway as a gigantic "FUCK YOU" to their society. It's also mostly populated by young people with the drive and ambition to change their surroundings but no means to achieve that change (and older people who exploit these young people for the cash they'll never see, bringing the entire scene into territory so meta it hurts). When those kids grow up and lose their drive, as after years of fighting against this nebulous problem they watch it shift into something new but no less harmful, they give up, slip into the routine, and become working salary men that can't be identified. It's an anomaly that just is, and that anomaly happens to make noise that we like to listen to.

To pigeonhole visual kei into anything else misses the political and cultural significance that caused it's birth.

tl;dr - Visual kei is the Japanese "hippie culture" of the 60's, with no Vietnam War in sight to bring it to an end. [7]

Notes:

Here I extrapolate on points that I wanted to make above and didn't because I didn't want to go on a tangent and not come back.

[1] This is my personal belief behind why revival bands like Grieva and Ru:natic will never see a resurgence. The forms that visual kei took in the 90's was in resistance to the culture and expectations of the 90's. The world is an irreversibly different place and thus visual kei must change along with it. This is also why I believe that visual kei is not an aesthetic - the fashion world moves in cycles much shorter than 30 years. Visual kei hasn't repeated a phase to date. That's why I believe it supersedes such a definition.

[2] Not only does this loose definition work but it reflects a lot of what I get into later in my argument. Most importantly, that it gives an element of control back to the band. I've read in multiple places that the Japanese populace don't feel like they have much choice - they must succeed in school, get into better schools, succeed there, get a good job, start a family, etc. - and then must face a wall of depression when they realize that most can't get to the head of the pack and they didn't. By sticking to this definition, bands can have a say in a core element which defines them.

[3] Richard Stallman, founder of the GNU Project. Read up on him to see what ideals unbounded by pragmatism really is. Hint: it sounds like crazy.

[4] When bands have no motivation or have run out of reasons to continue they sometimes disband for no reason. On the other side of that coin, some bands are so tight knit that they feel as if they can't function if a member leaves. But at the heart of it all, many bands don't put ideals and beliefs over success. Those that have them use them alongside the visuals and their music - and even then if it becomes too hard they quit or if they become successful they tone it down or cut it out completely. See, NoGoD.

[5] Even more interestingly, visual kei itself tends to conform in ways, which subverts the point of the whole thing. It's like a military group led by a dictator attacking a dictatorial government for its evils. This is why I refrain from calling it a movement, because it itself embodies the very principles it seeks to combat.

[6] Which is why "overseas visual kei" will never take off. The societal conditions are not right for it to spawn. YOHIO and Seremedy are second-order simulacra.

[7] After WWII, Japan isn't allowed to have a real standing army so it isn't in it's best interest to get into conflicts. I meant it literally. In another sense, you could say that the counterculture of the 60's was against "The System" but manifested itself through the War. Once the War ended, the culture had little reason to exist. Since visual kei doesn't have such a clear cut enemy, it will continue on for much longer. This is also why visual kei can't "die".

I haven't changed much... I never dressed visual kei or anything like that... I guess I never went through that phase. The only difference is now I give a shit more about my appearance. That's about it haha.

Sai I agree with you. Tsuzuku's voice is weak (has redeeming quality) but I DONT FUCKING KNOW how people can say they love Meji for the vocals and that Mejibray is better than GazettE. LOL NO, STOP. Arithmetica was right in saying that people publicly love Mejibray because they don't want to be seen liking GazettE.
 
So many people think it's so cool to hate them bc their fans, their style changes, their label, whatever reason. The GazettE is a great band. A lot of people will disregard me bc I am a huge fan and everyone apparently hates GazeFans but it's so hypocritical to say you completely hate the GazettE after practically sobbing in joy and pissing yourself when one of their wannabes releases something new. Everyone can say that they hate what the GazettE is now and blah blah blah but do you REALLY EXPECT THEM TO STAY THE SAME? Look at Deathgaze. I love them but their sound is repetitive, they're safe since no one will hate what they produce but they will never move past the point they're at now unless they try newer things.
 
The point of music is not to produce shit that everyone likes, it's to challenge the norm and do what you want and that is especially the point in VK. And you also have to produce your music with the mindset that people are buying it and if you want to actually sell and continue making music, it has to be what people will like.
 
Idk what people expect to gain from hating on GazettE and their music as if they give a flying shit about your sorry asses. Everyone spends too much time hating on them to the point where it becomes some stupid obsession. If you don't like them fine. Dafuq you you need to let the world know for. Just go listen to your music. JFC.
 
I like Mejibray but they would never compare to GazettE for me. They aren't even in my top 5 anymore. The GazettE are just better. There's a reason they're one of the most popular bands. There's nothing wrong with loving a popular band.
 
And people in general hate on PSC bands too much. I don't like the company any more than anyone else does but sometimes people just need to shut up and leave them alone. They make good music, although  a couple of indie PSC's vo's are questionable.
 
Imo this whole "I hate that because it's so mainstream" is becoming very mainstream right now.
 
In the end though, I think that most bands will grow out of VK eventually. It's fun to start out as Visual kei but as your music improves and you reach new horizon's you'll want to change how you appear to others to become more marketable, it's all in the name of business. It's kind of sad seeing a VK band move out from vk into a more conservative style but as long as the music doesn't change to some Brittney Spears shit I don't give a rat's ass if they dress in rainbow T-Shirts and crocs.

-Now that i've listened to VK, everything else in the world is craptastic-
Just no. VK is amazing but there's also a lot of crap; the same goes for all music. Just because VK is exotic and different, it doesn't make it superior by default.
I hate it when people say that ALL Western music sucks because it simply doesn't. Plus, where do you think most VK gets its influences from?
Both sides of the world have good and bad music...although VK has a much higher percentage of good bands to me

it's their own fault tho, they could've easily just actually finished their school and become a respectable member of society instead of dropping out to become IRL anime figures

Some bands get their outfits for free or discounted by a clothing brand that wants to promote itself through the band.
 
One example I remember is Chemical Pictures received a set of free outfits from a clothing brand, the catch was they had to work a weekend or something in the store. Essentially promoting the clothing and something like that. Basically the band and the clothing store get something out of it. How many people here have bought something from SEX POT REVENGE, Algonquins or h.Naoto? Did you find out about those brands through VK? So it obviously works right and I think that's probably where some of these guys are getting their outfits from. 
 
I guessing the poor no name bands probably make their outfits and everything themselves but even the not so well known Indie bands seem to get kick backs from clothing brands.

lol indeed the name similarities with kyo not only the image .never thought of it before
 
 
also lycaon guy copies slash

 


i can say more about obvious influences that i see in many jrockers than timeless image.sorry if i am out of subject.

most copies i can think are of most jrockers with kiyoharu at some style of his career.
except kyo old look. you can see it in guys like byou(screw),singer of lycaon,even in tsuzuku(mejibray) but is not a blatant copy.you just can see clearly the influence.i am sure there are more i can't think right now.
and omg if i see one more guy with kiyoharu tattoo.
i never understood why so many guys are infatuated so much with kiyoharu more than anyone else.
after him is kyo

and then hide and  maybe hakuei

one of most obvious examples is  koichi likes hakuei
 
PENICILLIN - RAINBOW pv - YouTube
 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kie4cmfUero

 
 

 
 
 
sorry if i am out of subject.and he obviously likes gackt

Axl Rose-like look (aka bandanna with long hair aside + jewelry/crosses/bracelets + shirtless) appreciation post:
 
(since I can't look for certain pics I will post videos AND pics through which you can check these looks)
 

Hiroshi Kyono (The Mad Capsule Markets) - 1993/1994-ish
 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8UVpC6KLq8Q
Kiyoharu Mori (Kuroyume) - 1997
 

Hakuei (Penicillin) - 1998 (almost close, he did perform without that sleeveless jacket  though)
 

Gara (Merry) - 2009 (sort of close to looks above)
 
 
If you have more similar looks like that (especially from 2000 and so on), then go ahead and reply

It was announced today that RIU(ex.メトロノーム) will be releasing a new album titled "東の空、龍が舞う" on 2013/07/28. The album will cost 3000 yen and will be available both at lives and through mail-order (he is looking at the possibility of selling it through Amazon as well).

Tracklist:
01 絢爛絵巻 02 一輪の花　Vo YU-DAI(SEX-ANDROID) 03 モダンアナキズム　Vo 団長(NoGoD) 04 浮き世の夢に酔う　Vo Kaya 05 羅刹、門ヲ潜ル 06 纏い付く柵がボクの体温を奪う　Vo Ricky(THE MICRO HEAD 4N'S) 07 月が綺麗だね　Vo 慎一郎(ex.ホタル、ex.Jully) 08 朱色の狂言　Vo 天野鳶丸(ex.グルグル映畫館) 09 涙雨　Vo 福助。(ADAPTER。、THE BEETHOVEN) 10 東の空、龍が舞う　Vo リウ 11 奇想、天外より落つ　Vo 吉川昌利(太平洋ベルト) 12 サーカス　Vo コタニキンヤ.(へーけ) 13 上弦の月　Vo 小林写楽(FLOPPY、GalapagosS) 14 誓いと革命の旗　Vo 清水良行(COSMO-SHIKI、新宿ゲバルト、Divitron)／リウ 15 座興は此れにてお仕舞い　Vo リウ 16 涙色染花

Well. The part about the blood is from the directors blog, so yes.
Whether the person was alive or dead and which scene it was (also whether they even used the scene) is unknown.
 
But yes, it seems they appearently did pretty extreme stuff back then. XD In the bio it says that VISUAL TRAP was founded when the members (two or three people) were still in university so I assume they were just as young and stupid as the bands they were working with if that explains anything.

I did this for a lyrics request, but decided to post it here too in case anyone wants these.

 

IV‐他者/Philosophia

作詞作曲: NoGod

 

止まぬ雨　消えぬ音　不安が募ってく　眠れず　ただ静かに　夜が目醒める
落ちる闇　上がる鼓動　薄れてく意識　違う顔　知らぬ声
そう、それは僕じゃない　どれほど声を上げても　示す事の出来ない
僕が僕である証は　誰が持っているの?　僕は何処にいるの?
相容れない感情と　受け入れられない思想　僕を拒む何かが
僕の存在を知っている　どれほど声を上げても
示す事の出来ない　僕が僕である証は　あなたがくれた真実
笑顔は　感情は　何処で生まれるの?
 
悩みは　苦しみは　何故生まれてくるの?
疑い　選んで　受け入れて　それでも
真理など　辿り着けないとわかっても　何故考えるの?
受け継がれていく知識の渦の中　いくつもの答えが生まれたけれど
どんな答えも完全じゃない　どんな答えも全てを救えはしない
でも悩み続け、迷い続け　また生まれていく
「何故?」に終わりはないから　いつまでも　そう、いつまでも
君が「知る」事を　愛せますように
 
IV-tasha/Philosophia
Lyrics & Music: NoGod
Romanization: mitsu
 
yamanu ame kienu oto fuan ga tsunotteku nemurezu tada shizuka ni yoru ga me sameru
ochiru yami agaru kodou usureteku ishiki chigau kao shiranu koe 
sou, sore wa boku janai dore hodo koe wo agete mo shimesu koto no dekinai
boku ga boku de aru akashi wa dare ga motte'iru no? boku wa doko ni iru no?
ai'irenai kanjou to uke'irerarenai shisou boku wo kobamu nanika ga
boku no sonzai wo shitte'iru dore hodo koe wo agete mo
shimesu koto no dekinai boku ga boku de aru akashi wa anata ga kureta shinjitsu
egao wa kanjou wa doko de umareru no?
 
nayami wa kurushimi wa naze umarete kuru no?
utagai erande uke'irete sore demo
shinri nado tadoritsukenai to wakatte mo naze kangaeru no?
uketsugarete iku chishiki no uzu no naka ikutsu mono kotae ga umareta keredo
donna kotae mo kanzen janai donna kotae mo subete wo sukue wa shinai
demo nayami tsuzuke, mayoi tsuzuke mata umarete iku
"naze?" ni owari wa nai kara itsumademo sou, itsumademo
kimi ga "shiru" koto wo aisemasu you ni

Awesome thread

I was thinking more in the lines of the roles in visual kei. Like the girly girl image is pretty common for some bands (girly bassists in this case).



I happened to find very similar looks of Rame and Emiru.

Hello again Chemical pictures me likes.

my Nathan Explosion and Danny Trejo-like portrait by a super talented Ukranian guy Yuriy Shilibiyev.
 

I'll romanize the above song as soon as possible (^___^)

Is this song and for "Hakoniwa"
 
『箱庭』
         作词：団长/作曲：【新兴宗教楽団NoGoD】


道を隔てた其処は     限り无く永远
それでも仆は

钝色(ニビイロ)のドアノブを     回すことすらも     踌躇ってる

呜呼、   梦を见たよ
欲望全てを叶えたやつを
呜呼、   闻えてるよ
体の隅から千切れる音が

彼方に见える明日に     问い続けている     命の不道徳を
蜘蛛の糸より细い     大切なものよ
この灯(アカリ)を消さないで

四畳半の箱庭
それが仆の全て
棺桶と言う名の揺笼

今さら呼ばないでくれ     必要ないこの场所なら
お愿いその隙间だけは     触らないで居て欲しい

ヒトは进化を重ね     成长し続ける     生き物だけどそれなら
仆はこれからずっと     退化し続ける     新たな生命体さ

彼方に见える明日に     问い続けている     命の不道徳を 
蜘蛛の糸より细い     大切なものよ 
この灯を消さないで 

もうどれくらい时が流れた     数える事も出来なくなった
微かに见える周りの景色     少しずつ小さくなってきた

此方に来いと声が闻こえる     头と体バラバラになる
お愿いだから连れてかないで     早く仆をあの箱庭に帰して

Woo～...
 
Couldn't find any romanji or translations... I don't know if the lyrics are accurate or not. I don't own any of their music to confirm it is. If you can get scans or know accurate lyrics, I can romanize them for you when I have time. Don't have time for translations, though...

Not my recent but I love this one



And this one's new. 

In my towel xD

What a nice thread!
 
Like most people I'm more drawn to 'classic' pvs, especially the elaborate kind with lots of image scenes and drama. Sometimes 'good looking band playing the song' works great, but most of the time it's cooler when they actually thought of ways to illustrate the lyrics and the emotions in the music.
Some that just came to my head and haven't been posted yet are
 
Chocoripeyes by Vidoll

 
Curse by La'Mule

 
Something New, Somebody New by Kiyoshi
http://youtu.be/OLxcc6iaYGA
 
道の空 by Psycho le Cemu
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oKZOmBLAx0Y
 
Cage by Dir en Grey

 
muddy cult by nega

 
月下の夜想曲 by malice mizer
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aoErMPWFH4c
 
I could go on forever, but I don't.

I must be a lesbian because I much rather prefer Leda with his 'hot chick' makeup.

Always found it weird how Leda went from looking like that ( far left)

To this

Like...without make up, Japanese guy..with blonde hair..alright deal..WITH make up he looks like a hot chick. D:
I for one prefer him with no or minimal make up. He doesn't need it. :T

^ yuh, that's them. Also, click the image to enlarge.
that's magic wand, they're from Slytherin.
lol joking.
everyone's drummers there, cool~