Visual Kei

Visual Kei (ヴィジュアル系) - scene in Japanese music first appearing near the end of the twentieth century. Term is used to describe the wide genre or jrock but also the fashion and subculture surrounding such music. Visual Kei is a scene focusing both on the music and the art. Band members dress in sophisticated outfits inspired by gothic lolita style and organise spectacular concerts. Many visual musicians tries to achieve androgynous look by wearing dresses, intricate hairstyles and strong make-up (then you need to figure out if they have breasts or don't).

Lyrics are most commonly about longing or melancholy. Sometimes touching on some taboo themes (erotic lyrics about making love all night are a norm), current issues in a society (for example abortion) or shocking events (for example the murder of Junko Furuta). Alternatively vocalists tell us stories with their lyrics. An Example could be Asagi and his vampire story (or stories about the Chinese mafia or forest nymphs).

This peculiar cultural trend started in the 80s by bands such as X JAPAN, D'ERLANGER, BUCK-TICK or Color. In the 90s, Visual Kei was more commonly known in Japan because of popularity of bands like X JAPAN, GLAY or LUNA SEA. Drastic change in those bands' image made them even more famous. Near the end of the 90s, the interest in Visual Kei begun to fade and X JAPAN disbanded (though some time later Yoshiki reactivated the band). Visual Kei is popular among independent musicians and succesful bands alike. Musicians take isnpiration from western music genres like glam, goth or cyberpunk. Music covers a broad selection of sounds, like different kinds of pop, punk, heavy metal or EDM. In Japan, there's press dedicated to Visual Kei - "Arena 37°C", "Fool's Mate" or "Shoxx". Lately, the genre's popularity seen a rise in interest again.

Recommended bands and songs (systematically updated):

Order - fast/dark song, ballad, song breaking the general rule

DIV - "Butterfly Dreamer", "Hyoryu Kanojo", "Stars"

vistlip - "Chaplin", "Chimera", "Merry Bell"

Alice Nine - "Kowloon -Nine Heads Rodeo Show-", "Hanagasumi", "Blue Planet"

Gotcharocka - "Poisonous Berry", "Namari", "Qtie"

Moran - "Lyric of the dead", "Ikou, shirakami no chronicle", "Bulbs"

Acme - "Monster", "Call my name", "Zesshou Ouka"

CLOWD - "Antithese", "Thank you for coming", "Gift"

Purple Stone - "Aoi Yami", "Esoragoto", "Kaitenmokuba"

D - "7th Rose", "Kaze ga mekuru page", "Snow White -Another gift-"

MoNoLith - "Byakuya", "Tenohira", "3gatsu 2ka, Sakura Iro."

Ganglion - "Never ever again", "Dearness", "Ao ku yurete"

Lost Ash - "Flare", "Remain -ai no kakera-", "Summer"

Anli Pollicino - "Devilish Eyes", "Shirayuki", "Colors"

ViViD - "69-II", "Answer", "Precious"

Shounenki - "Gazelle Babel", "In the sunlight", "Namida no utagoe"

168 -one sixty eight- - "Setsugekka", "Shinkirou", "Spica"

Sources: jrockjapan.blox.pl, godchild.pun.pl and own experiences.