(I came across this banner, will credit/remove if necessary)

I've decided to make this a lot more interesting by turning it into a poll, since there are not so many options for voting, I was forced to put together some of the possible answers for example since Due le Quartz and Miyavi share a lot in common (at least one member lol) I put them together, same I did with L'arc en Ciel and HYDE, If you choose to vote for one of these two options please do state on your post wether you were voting for the band, or the solist, I was cLose to doing this with Malice Mizer and Gackt but I guess I'd be getting on a certain mod's nerves ^^'

There are many other bands I would have liked to feature on this poll for example BLOOD, Sex Machineguns and Lareine, just to name a few, but again the lack of space wouldn't let me, anyway I only hope this thread would be a lot more interesting than the past one because of the poll add.

Here is the stuff I had put on the last thread I had made, I will probably be posting the pics later on the thread so enjoy!

OLD THREAD:

Good day world, Linak-sama here!

After having some nice, sweet short (ha!) conversations with Blackgir and Darth Satanious at the 'Moi Dix Moi/Malice Mizer' thread, I decided it was time to have a brand new and specific thread about japanese rock/pop, and the Visual Kei movement! Yes I'm a happy girl right now!

From Wikipedia: (yah we all love wikipedia XD)

Visual Kei, literally "visual type", refers to a movement in J-Rock which started in the 1980s and became widely popular in Japan by the 1990s.

Origins:
Largely the movement is credited to have been started "almost single handedly" by X Japan, however a rising trend of utilizing visual shock to gain membership in the independent scene was well in effect by the time X went major; they may be seen in this sense not as a catalyst for the movement, but a mechanism to involve dominant Japanese popular culture with it. Bands in the early 1990s such as Luna Sea, Zi:Kill, Shazna, and Baiser along with previous bands Buck-Tick and X Japan encouraged a "boom" of this media culture.

Characteristics:
Visual Kei is characterised by bands using dramatic costumes and visual imagery to enhance the band's performance. Within Japan, the fan-base almost solely consists of girls and young women and is marketed strongly to that audience with items such as tradeable stickers, glossy photo-books, picture-postcards of band members and so on. In other countries, the comparatively small quantity of Visual Kei followers is roughly an equal division between male and female youth. Visual Kei is often focused upon in the West as a uniquely Japanese part of the Rock music scene.

Members of Visual Kei bands often wear striking makeup, style their hair in dramatic shapes (reminiscent of "glam metal" bands from the '80s) and wear elaborate costumes. Although the vast majority of the musicians are male, band members will often wear makeup and clothing which would be considered 'feminine' or 'androgynous'. Recently, some bands are returning to the more colourful and "fantastic" image popular 5 or 6 years ago, taking inspiration from computer roleplaying games and anime. The appeal of the costumes to fans is so great that large numbers of girls will cosplay as members of their favourite bands, particularly in Harajuku, at live concerts in Japan, or in North America, Chile, Spain and Australia at anime conventions.

Bands:
Visual Kei bands, being defined primarily by visual style, do not necessarily play a specific type of music. They most often play general J-rock (Luna Sea, Dir en grey) and vocal based pop or light rock (Glay, Gackt).

However, there are also bands playing or influenced by Heavy Metal (Sex Machineguns, Onmyo-Za), Darkwave (Velvet Eden, Schwarz Stein), Industrial rock, Punk rock and various other genres can be found. Taking the genre in a wide sense, most of the bands would be considered to play some kind of "rock" music. Particularly popular in recent years are the projects of Mana; Malice Mizer (now defunct) and Moi dix Mois.

Within the field of Visual Kei several popular movements have arose; the fashion style Gothic Lolita and the musical sub-genres; EroGuro and Angura Kei, which form particular visual styles.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Visual_Kei

So I totally completely love this genre, for real, not only Malice Mizer, (I'm posting mostly their pictures because my computer is full of them, and I don't really have a lot of pics from other bands, shame on me I know), but there are so many, and I mean SO many bands that could be talked about, and this is what this thread is all about, bands recommendations, post lyrics translations, reviews and a whole lot of sharing and trading! Fanfiction? Why not!

Anything JROCK/VISUALKEI/JPOP related is sure as hell welcome!

Now! Who wants to share?!

I'll start first and offer ANYONE a big huge cyber hug if you can link me to Gazette's Tokyo Shinjuu lyrics translation!

Talk to me people talk to meee, any jrockers out there, this is your mating call bwahaha, come little children and speak up! I wanna see who has some reaaally good music taste over here ne! Oh and I hope Blackgir doesn't get maddy at me ^^' I mean goodie, hontou! (for real!)

Ah yes, one last thing, if you're a geek like me and sometimes post phrases in pretty pretty japanese, be a good sexy-beam and translate onegai! (please!) see how easy that was?!

Alright! *huggles* Post on! </crazyfangirlsqueals>

Konbanwa, Linak-sama! (wait...why do I have to call you sama? )

Anyway, I'm not as involved in this genre as you. but I went through a phase where I became absolutely OBSESSED with anime from Japan (it replaced and totally outgrew my porn addiction, back when I was 15.. nono seriously now) so obviously I got to hear a lot of Japanese music through this anime. I rejected (and still do) most of the excessively poppy stuff (Like Ayumi Hamasaki) since I still love my metal.

But some bands grew on me... first, Asian Kung fu Generation. They did the opening for Naruto, and did a sukoii (awesome.. haha) 4th opening for Full Metal Alchemist (Rewrite). My tomodachi (friend) later bought thier album when he went to Taiwan to visit his kazoku (family?). but anyway, I like a few of their songs but I'm not their biggest fan.

Then, L'arc en Ciel. They did the opening for Great Teacher Onizuka (GTO, which is just by the way an amazing anime that I think everyone should watch, even if they dislike anime) and that was great. I also believe they did the ending credits for Gungrave, which is probably my favorite anime track ever. But they do a LOT of OSTs so yeah.

But the band I like the most, and the one which I didn't get from anime but an anime-lover friend, is the one I voted for, Dir En Grey. I first saw their music video for "Saku" and I absolutely LOVED it. It's so fucking psycho! Their image is so interesting (err...and Shinya actually makes a hot looking crossdresser...bishounen? bishoujo?) and I love their music... mellow in general but mixed in with what I consider to be beautifully "insane" style. I liked the album "VULGAR" most of all... and the video for "Obscure" is so awesome!! I still have to check out their latest album because I've only heard a few tracks. Oh,and my faovrite member is Kaoru... I did a drawing of him recently which is one of the only things on my plain deviantart page!
http://www.deviantart.com/deviation/32810555/

Otherwise,wakarimasen (I don't know) many of these bands. Which are similar to Dir En Grey that I can start out with? I want MORE!! MATTA! (I hope that's right. my Japanese sucks lately since I haven't practiced it in about a year)

@Avenant kun: Ooo I'm so glad I got such a good first reply! yaay! Well I'm glad to hear you do in fact listen or at least listened to some japanese bands, I am also a BIG Diru fan, but I'm a fan of all the bands up there so I couldn't actually vote, maybe I will later on, after I see how the poll's going and stuff, anyway, if you want a band similar to Diru, I can't really help you, because there AREN'T any bands that sound like them (although Gazette's vocalist has been compared too much to Kyo, and in fact their voices are quite similar), and yeah, Shinya DOES look very very hot ineed, but my favorite remains Kaoru too! yaay
*high five*
that drawing is pretty cool, it does remind me a bit of Michael Meyers from Halloween though hehe and yeah your japanese is pretty cool I think, tho you did a slight typo on Sugoi not sukoii (at the end with MATTA did you mean, see you or more?)

Anyway I'd be happy to guide you in the right ways of jrock lol, ah by the way, you might wanna check out Sex Machineguns, it's pretty awesome metal, sometimes it does remind me of Diru a teeny bit, but otherwise its a completely original and cool japanese band and Mr. Guitarrist is my love too

Okay thanks for voting! Arigato ne!

Ah so you opened a new topic, I am fine with that Anyway, it's good to see you didn't put Gackt and Malice Mizer as one option Well, the poll misses quite a few of my favourite J-Rock bands, but I guess that was unavoidable.

Of course, my vote goes to Moi Dix Mois, obviously. They are the best out of them all. Go read the Malice Mizer/Moi Dix Mois topic(s) why I think that, I already explained it quite a few times. However, I missed Hora and the projects involving him(Velvet Eden, Schwarz Stein and solo) in the poll. These projects easily beat half of the bands in the list

I also really like Malice Mizer(obviously, the Khala period), X Japan is amazing too, and since yesterday I am a bit more positive about Hyde's music, but besides that I am not really fond of the other bands in the poll.

@Avenant,

I became more open-minded towards pop music thanks to anime intro songs. For example, I quite like the material made by the voice actress Kuribayashi Minami. She sang the intro song of Chrno Chrusade, but I quite like her "Best of.." album. I also like Houko Kuwashima; who is most famous for her voice actress role as Sueng Mina in Soul Calibur II, but she also sang the rockish intro song of Blue Gender. It is pop music, but I don't see it as anthing bad..I can enjoy that stuff.

@Linak/Avenant,

I personally think there are similar bands to Dir En Grey. For example, a band such as Antique Cafe, or DeViL KiTTy do remind me of Dir En Grey. DeViL KiTTY makes similar music to Kittie(yes the nu-metal band Kittie), but it has a slight "touch" of Dir En Grey. I have heard some songs of Antique Cafe, they reminded me of Dir En Grey. Rentrer en Soi is also a possibility. The instrumentation is very similar, though, the vocalist is much softer than Dir En Grey's vocalist.

@Linak sama: Thanks,I'll be needing some guidance.... and I never realized that my drawing looked like Micheal Meyers...but holy shit it DOES! Anyway, as for the "sukoii" thing, KUSO! I kept spelling it as "Sugoi" but my shojo (girlfriend...or girl..haha), who did Nihon Go (japanese) kept telling me I was wrong! SHE BRAINWASHED ME DAMMIT! Baka desu ka? but okay, I can go brag now. Anyway, perhaps I shouldn't start at dir en grey likeness but rather with anything japanese that you can reccomend. And by "matta", I meant more... I forget some things so I basically use the word which I *think* is right or what seems to be correct!
oh well...back to basics... Kyo wa ii tenki desu, ne?

@Blackgir: Yes, anime also made me far more open minded to pop music. Don't get me wrong - I don't reject it all, but a lot of it. I also enjoyed Chrno Crusade's opening, as well as the soundtracks of anime such as Beck, FLCL (which was awesome) and even Inuyasha (which is pop by all means) and I loved the Cowboy Bebop OST as well... but mostly, I like specific songs from anime series.

@Avenant, yeah, the intro of Chrno Crusade is also a "pure" pop song. Though, I think the full-length version gets kinda repetitive. Did you also like the ending song "Sayonara Solitia" by Saeko Chiba? It's one of my favourite ending themes. Hm, well, as you know, there are a lot of animes, and I haven't seen(so I haven't heard either) a lot of the mentioned intro and outro songs. I can only tell about Inuyasha and Cowboy Bebop. The Inuyasha song is very very vaguely in my mind. Cowboy Bebop's OST didn't impress me. It was all too jazzy for my taste. Well, I have mentioned my favourite songs, the intro's of Chrno Crusade and Blue Gender. Elfen Lied also has a nice intro song My favourite OST would be made by Shinkichi Mitsumune. The OST of Speed Grapher to be precisely. However, I don't really like the intro song made by Duran Duran(Girls on Film), but the OST has some amazing piano parts/songs Very memorable.

My younger sisters have totally become fans of these Japanese pop/rock-stars who look exactly like...girls. Personally I have nothing against their current Japan-madness, though these Japanese pop/rock-bands aren´t exactly my cup of tea. I´m some kind of anime fan and I can tolerate those theme songs, but i wouldn´t listen to those without the theme song purpose. When it comes to visual kei, I must admit that X-Japan has some quality songs. I have started to search for good Japanese bands playing melodic metal, since I like the sound of Japanese language. Currently I have found Concerto Moon (thanks to Metalstorm) and Anthem.

i dont know much 'J-rock' at all, but of what i do know, i really like it. i just havent given time looking into other band yet
it was you Linak that got me into Dir En Grey
Malice Mizer sound very interesting to me, i am going to have to see if i can put some time into looking into them

but i voted 'other'
my vote goes to this band because i have known them for a long time, longer then others
the band is The Mad Capsule Markets - i have all their albums they have released over here and i enjoy listening to them from time to time because it is so much different from whatever else i might be listening to

Okay okay I finally voted, and as much as my heart and lust kept pointing at Gackt, I just HAD to vote for Malice Mizer, aww I mean they're my first true loves and out of the whole bunch, it's the band I know every single released song, I dont own the albums cause they're almost impossible to get but I will soon, wahh so then X Japan is winning huh? I wasn't surprised to see that anyway...

@Alkhemist: woo you got pretty cool sisters then! bwahaha I've become one of thsoe weird crazyfangirls myself, and it's so much fun! lol I tell you, probably my sister suffers it as much as you with your sisters y'know, so anyway, I'm guessing you voted X Japan?

@Baz Anderson: I got you into Dir en Grey? really? awhh I dont remember lol but I'm glad I did! Ah anyway, in case you are looking for some recs on Malice Mizer I could guide you through the gacktness-- oh sorry, I meant goodness, and ah by the way *dontlistentoBlackgirwhateverhesaysisWRONG*
So, The Mad Capsule Markets! I've actually heard of them! They're the trio that looks like the Beastie Boys huh? Only japanese ! I had some songs from an album called Digidogheadlock (that name was so weird it got tattooed on the back of my mind) and even though I rarely listened to the songs I liked them, they're different alright, and one of them is really really cut3333 ^^' (and its not the singer, of that I'm sure!)

@Avenant: What do you mean with ii tenki? do you mean denki (electricity) or genki (as in how are you?)

Written by Linak on 29.05.2006 at 06:34


@Alkhemist: woo you got pretty cool sisters then! bwahaha I've become one of thsoe weird crazyfangirls myself, and it's so much fun! lol I tell you, probably my sister suffers it as much as you with your sisters y'know, so anyway, I'm guessing you voted X Japan?

Yep, I voted for X-Japan. It was actually pretty easy choice since I have heard only X-Japan and Dir en Grey from the list. Though I´m sure that my sisters have music from all of those artist mentioned in their computer. I have also noticed that they have one Moi Dix Mois album in their CD-shelf.

omg so lucky!!! go steal it now that you can!! and send it to me asap!!

Written by Linak on 29.05.2006 at 06:34

*dontlistentoBlackgirwhateverhesaysisWRONG*

Is that so? I am pretty sure my recommendations are much better than yours, you will tell him to download stuff of Gackt or the Gackt era, which would give him a totally wrong idea of how great Malice Mizer is.

And now, before Linak is telling you to try Merveilles just because Gackt is singing on that record, try Bara No Seidu. It is with their best vocalist, Khala. Operatic, dark, slightly gothic. Great album. Or try to find the songs "Gardenia" or "Beast of Blood", if you want to start with the easy stuff first.

Anyway, I had to say that before you got the wrong advice by a certain person, or that you would get wrong ideas about this great band named Malice Mizer. :

Grr Blackgir, you'll scare Barry away! nonono, @Baz Anderson, you MUST listen to Merveilles if you want to hear a REAL man sing! bwahaha!

Okay.. well, now seriously, yeah, I recommend you to try Bara No Seidou first, actually Blackgir is right, this album is a lot darker, slightly gothic, yeah, so I guess you would like it a lot better than france-influenced Merveilles, (although Gackt so PWNZ Klaha)

Beast of Blood is probably a great song to start with, so if you do happen to like it, go for the album 'Bara no Seidou'

But don't tell Blackgir I said so

well I think i was able to vote but... not yet. Linak, well I have hear a few song of those group that you recommended me and I fall in love with Moi Dix Mois (and Mana as always) but I also hear a few songs of L'arc en Ciel (may be because I love Rurouni Kenshin?). I need to listen more things, so i won't vote... YET

Oh okay dont worry girl! No pressures! you should listen to all of the bands on the poll inc ase you really wanna know who deserves the vote lol, if you want I could recommend you a song from each band or something, maybe some others that arent listed, y'know, I'm here to help bwahaha
*hugs*

Written by Linak on 30.05.2006 at 05:06

Grr Blackgir, you'll scare Barry away! nonono, @Baz Anderson, you MUST listen to Merveilles if you want to hear a REAL man sing! bwahaha!

Okay.. well, now seriously, yeah, I recommend you to try Bara No Seidou first, actually Blackgir is right, this album is a lot darker, slightly gothic, yeah, so I guess you would like it a lot better than france-influenced Merveilles, (although Gackt so PWNZ Klaha)

Beast of Blood is probably a great song to start with, so if you do happen to like it, go for the album 'Bara no Seidou'

But don't tell Blackgir I said so

That I totally forget to reply on this topic Linak said I was right. Great Secretly Linak knows Bara No Seidu is better than anything related to Gackt. ah well..

Since I want to discuss with people about Visual Kei I am trying to give this thread some new air to breath. Have anyone already heard the new Rentrer en Soi album? I couldn't find it anywhere and I would be more than glad if someone could upload it for me. Same goes for Hora's solo album.

Lately I am also quite into Melt-Banana, a Japanese noise-rock band. The great thing about this band is the amazing vocals. It is very different of what you have heard before. Pretty Donald Duckish

Written by AntaeusM on 15.06.2006 at 02:51


That I totally forget to reply on this topic Linak said I was right. Great Secretly Linak knows Bara No Seidu is better than anything related to Gackt. ah well..

Yeah.. you're wrong and *ehem* your signature states otherwise too ^^

Anyway you better share some of those bands you say you're listening to a lot because I haven't heard of them and I pride myself in being an obsessive jrock/pop/visual FAN!

But I do know where to get Hora's stuff, so I'm willing to trade, in case I am still able to get it ^^

I heard some rumors yesterday at a comic book store, I overheard some dudes saying some of the members that were once in Velvet Eden are actually Juka and Kazuno from M2M

I don't think so actually, but for about 15 seconds they had me thinking...

Written by Linak on 15.06.2006 at 04:18

Yeah.. you're wrong and *ehem* your signature states otherwise too ^^

Anyway you better share some of those bands you say you're listening to a lot because I haven't heard of them and I pride myself in being an obsessive jrock/pop/visual FAN!

But I do know where to get Hora's stuff, so I'm willing to trade, in case I am still able to get it ^^

I heard some rumors yesterday at a comic book store, I overheard some dudes saying some of the members that were once in Velvet Eden are actually Juka and Kazuno from M2M

I don't think so actually, but for about 15 seconds they had me thinking...

You forced me to have this signature. You know how I really think about Gackt

Well, I expected you already knew them. I can upload some of the albums, just contact me on msn and I would be more than happy to help you You better get it. I have been searching for Hora's solo work for so long but I just can't find it anywhere.

yeah right, Juka and Kazuno are active in the more metallish side of Visual Kei, when Velvet Eden is a darkwave band. One reason why it isn't possible. Another is that Juka and Kazuno were unknown before Mana introduced them to the scene. The only big name that was active in Velvet Eden was Hora.

15 seconds? that's long It only took me 3 seconds to realise it was nonsense

I don't really know enough about JPop/Rock to vote on this thread.

I shall have to listen to my daughters cds more closely when she is next home.

She is a big Gackt fan.

Has anyone got the Dvd of the Diabolos tour ?
I have just bought it for her on ebay and wondered if anyone else has seen it.

Written by hanna of steel on 15.06.2006 at 16:08

I don't really know enough about JPop/Rock to vote on this thread.

I shall have to listen to my daughters cds more closely when she is next home.

She is a big Gackt fan.

Has anyone got the Dvd of the Diabolos tour ?
I have just bought it for her on ebay and wondered if anyone else has seen it.

Oh your daughter is a big Gackt fan? wow! Bigger than me??
lol oh well your daughter is one lucky girl, my mom wouldn't buy me a Gackt album if her life depended on it because she hates him

I have watched some parts of the Diabolos DVD, it's as good as it gets, trust me any rabid crazyfangirl like myself would LOVE to own it ^^...

Unfortunately for me, it is TOO expensive for me right now, I bought Gackt's Sixth Day Single Collection, which is one single album with 10 songs and it cost me a little bit over 60USD, so DVD's for me are a bit out of my reach as of now, but when I go to Japan I'll empty the stores oh yeah.. yes yes yes

Anyway just in case you want my opinion on such matters, I think Mars tour DVD was a lot better, but Diabolos is almighty too! >.< I want them all waa... you are such a good mom!!! >.<

@Blackgir: You are still lovin the banners upload something here on the thread and make it available for everyone don't be selfish

Written by Linak on 15.06.2006 at 22:14

@Blackgir: You are still lovin the banners upload something here on the thread and make it available for everyone don't be selfish

Well..I kinda like the new one I am not allowed to upload full albums here, but feel free to post your opinion here about the albums when you have heard them

I have gotten to know some bands that were spawned from Japan. Those bands are:

1) L'Arc En Ciel

From them I have heard two songs: "Stay Away" and "The Fourth Avenue Cafe". I downloaded the video for the first one, "Stay Away", and I have to say that the vocalist looks kind of gay for the way he moves and everything. I find his voice to be very catchy. I also downloaded a supposed promotional video for the second song, "The Fourth Avenue Cafe", but I don't think it is really a video of the band because this song is not listed as one of their promotional videos in a biography I read from them and because the video consists of scenes from the grimmest and most frostbitten anime cartoon ever: Rurouni Kenshin/Samuray X. I knew that this song was supposed to be used for this anime series but it was used no longer due to drug use of a former member of the band which leaded in Sony pulling out that song from the ending credits of the series.

2) Dir En Grey

I heard the song "Umbrella" thanks to Linak which uploaded the song in the Malice Mizer thread. This song was, to me, nothing out of this World but still I found it back then and still find it to be pretty catchy. After trying to look for a video of this song but to no avail, I decided to download another one and I downloaded the video for "Obscure"; video that I find to be pretty disturbing and grotesque and thus grim. The song was pretty heavy, heavier then anything that I have heard from Japan, in terms of use of distortion in the guitars that is. After that I downloaded another song, "Cage", which I found to be pretty good too. I read that they are coming to North America to join Korn in their "Family Values Tour" along with bands such as Stone Sour, Flyleaf (which I recently discovered) and Deftones, being the less attractive ones Korn and Deftones in the list.

3) Rentrer En Soi

Blackgir was very kind in uploading the promotional video for their "Aqua" song. That song is very melancholic because of the guitar and the vocalist's way of singing. I would say that this song would fit perfectly for the Silent Hill soundtrack. Those who have watched the movie would know what I mean.

4) X Japan

I have to say that, unfortunately, I haven't been able to listen too much of this band what is curious given the importance of this band, of all the followers it has and its background. From them I have heard the songs: "Rose of Pain", "Scars" and "Crucify My Love". Majestic songs they are I have to say. I have tried to find videos from them but without any results. Yes, I am a download-videos-freak.

5) The Black Mages

This band is the work of famous composer Nobuo Uematsu (composer which certain Moderator around here does not let the chance to pass of bashing against ) and that consists mainly of converting in Hard Rock and Metal some of his battle themes for the video games to which he composed for. It is pretty curious to listen how those songs sound in his albums. I had their "The Skies Above" album in my hands but I did not get to record it before I had to return it to its owner.

6) Malice Mizer

I first heard from this band thanks to Blackgir and Linak which suggested me some songs from them but it wasn't until I downloaded their "Beast of Blood" video that I really got captivated by this band. I could hardly associate those songs from the Gackt era with this song. This song, "Beast of Blood", is really heavy and has some insane drumming going on there. After listening to this song I put myself into revisiting the songs I once heard and I got to enjoy that Pop/Rock of them. Now, I have several videos from them in my computer, the second largest list of videos is from them, just surpassed by Metallica. I still doubt that Mana is a man. lol

7) Gackt

His works with Malice Mizer were exceptional. Songs like "Le Ciel", "Syunikiss", "Bel Air" and others (which I don't mention just because I cannot tell if what I have there is either the title of the song or the title of the album) are over the top. Those songs have emotion. But now, with his solo career, I cannot say the same. The first song I heard from him, thanks to Linak, was "Mizerable" and man, that song is pretty good. It has this beautiful melody done by a violin and with the company of drums. Unfortunately the rest of his songs are not anything near as good as this, in fact, this song is the only song from him from which I can say: "Hey, let's listen to Gackt". The other songs seem to be kind of lukewarm, senseless. I have heard songs like: "Vanilla", "Black Stone", "Oasis", "Rain", between others, and I have to say that none of them have taken my attention as "Mizerable" did.

8) Moi Dix Mois

After I got into Malice Mizer, then I was introduced into this amazing band. If I have to hold someone in such a high esteem it must be Mana. He not only knows how to make such wonderful music but also knows how to "create beauty" with his make up and clothing. That is why he is in my Avatar. From this band I own, in original version (yes, original version ) the "Beyond the Gate" album. The rest of their full-lengths, "Nocturnal Opera" and "Dix Infernal", are on the way (supposedly) in original copies too and not only those albums, but also their two DVDs: "Scars of Sabbath" and "Invite to Immorality".

9) Balzac

I have seen that no one has mentioned this band, the first band I have heard among all the ones I have mentioned above.



They play a Horror Hardcore Punk Rock in the vein of The Misfits. Some consider them to be the counterpart of this legendary band in Japan. In fact, during some performances of the band The Misfits in Japan, Balzac got to open up for them and they caught the attention of The Misfits and were signed into the new record label of the band: Misfits Records. Not just that but they even recorded a split single with them. Some may argue about the importance of this given the fact that only Jerry Only remains as the original member of the band and given the fact that everyone hates the band after Danzig's departure though. I have their "Beyond the Darkness" compilation which was the first release under the Misfits Records and which I found by luck here in Puerto Rico. If you want to check them out I suggest you the "Out of Blue" and their "Yami-No Mukou-No Subete-Wo" songs.

@ Linak <3 Gackt - I don't think my daughter is quite as big a fan as you , but she does like him a lot.

I am a wonderful mother aren't I ? - just mention that to my children sometimes - they don't always agree .

I'll let you know her opinion of the dvd when she has seen it.

Written by Darth Satanious on 18.06.2006 at 00:41

3) Rentrer En Soi

Blackgir was very kind in uploading the promotional video for their "Aqua" song. That song is very melancholic because of the guitar and the vocalist's way of singing. I would say that this song would fit perfectly for the Silent Hill soundtrack. Those who have watched the movie would know what I mean.

You forgot to mention that the video is very artistic The singer isn't that beauitful as Mana, but hey, they look more like anime characters, which is a charm on their own. Too bad they screw up their image on the new album. Anyway, if you contact me I can upload an entire album of them. I am pretty sure you will like it

Written by Darth Satanious on 18.06.2006 at 00:41

4) X Japan

I have to say that, unfortunately, I haven't been able to listen too much of this band what is curious given the importance of this band, of all the followers it has and its background. From them I have heard the songs: "Rose of Pain", "Scars" and "Crucify My Love". Majestic songs they are I have to say. I have tried to find videos from them but without any results. Yes, I am a download-videos-freak.

Their name is kinda problematic for the video search engine eh? Just try to find their video for Weekend. I am pretty sure you can find some stuff on google video or youtube. Crucify My Love is kinda cheesy..but not bad, but Rose of Pain is one of the best songs ever made by a Japanese band. so incredible emotional.

Written by Darth Satanious on 18.06.2006 at 00:41

8) Moi Dix Mois

After I got into Malice Mizer, then I was introduced into this amazing band. If I have to hold someone in such a high esteem it must be Mana. He not only knows how to make such wonderful music but also knows how to "create beauty" with his make up and clothing. That is why he is in my Avatar. From this band I own, in original version (yes, original version ) the "Beyond the Gate" album. The rest of their full-lengths, "Nocturnal Opera" and "Dix Infernal", are on the way (supposedly) in original copies too and not only those albums, but also their two DVDs: "Scars of Sabbath" and "Invite to Immorality".

You still don't have their albums? Mana is probably the best musician that ever came from Japan. On every album he tries something different, yet every album is a pure beauty on his own. Visually he is also amazing, but the thing I like most about him is the genius he is as a composer for both Malice Mizer and Moi Dix Mois.

@Blackgir:

The video looks pretty good indeed but I have to say that I am used to seeing this type of videos. Artists tend to use beautiful landscapes in which they simulate their performances; this is very common in Latin artists' videos. The vocalist, Satsuki, looked very feminine in that video but his appearance did not shock me as Mana's. You mean the change of appearance in this picture below?



Great, if you remember my Gmail account send them there, if not, then I will PM you later. Thanks!

I tried to find that video but I had no results. I don't like just to watch videos, I like to download them to my computer and have them there. Opening a video from the Internet is such a troublesome thing to do. "Crucify My Love" is a pretty good ballad. If it weren't for the total absence of guitars in that song (or at least in the version I have) it would fit the Power Ballads label just fine. The use of keyboards and the vocals reminded me of those Love Rock bands from the eighties such as REO Speedwagon and Journey. The song "Rose of Pain" is a total joy of eleven minutes that seem to be four because of how dynamic the song is, full of guitar melodies and fast playing.

The albums HAVE to be in their way to my hands. After the last warning I gave to that ungrim store, I received, after some days, a notification that my items were sent. I was also given the tracking number of that order which I got to verify at the Untied States Postal Service. So, the package has been sent, now I just have to see if they sent me all the items and see if they indeed sent me the "Scars of Sabbath" DVD and not the DVD of which a picture was under the name of this DVD. I don't know why I worry if most probably I wont be able to watch those DVDs because of the DVD Region 3 stuff.

His appearance is one of a kind I would say. Recently I found a picture of him accompanied by his nephew and I tell you that he would pass as a normal beautiful aunt. lol He is the mastermind of both Malice Mizer (but not completely alone in this one) and Moi Dix Mois and that says a lot about him and his way of composing. By now, he is my favorite Japanese musician.

Hm could be, but I am not used to that, but I also like Satsuki with the chains in his hands, the church, the sea etc. The atmosphere is just amazing of that video. They really did their best to make it very artistic. Well, Mana also looked quite goth, which make it more attractive to us metalheads. Satsuki more looks like a character from an anime. Which is quite different. Maybe it is also because Satsuki sang. You know his voice, which makes him a lot more manly than the guy who never spoke in public - Mana.

No, not that image On that image they still look cool.
this image, taken from their new promoshoot:


Sorry, all my PMs got deleted so I don't have your Gmail account anymore. PM it please

Sure, but if watch them on a stream then you at least have an idea what the video is about. Crucify my Love is with Yoshiki on piano and Toshi singing. I think it is fine that way. It sounds kinda cheesy, but it doesn't disturb me. X Japan are something between a Power, Progressive and Heavy Metal band. Their whole first album(Vanishing Vision) can be considered as a Power Metal album. Later they became more progressive. Rose of Pain is just the highest peak in the entire carrier of X Japan IMO.

Hm, well, it sure takes a long time to receive this items.. yes that's true, but it would be great to know they at least send you the right DVDs.

Is that kid his nephew? I thought it was just a random Japanese kid.. An aunt? You mean a niece! He looks way too young for an aunt. Especially on those photos. Yes, we should also pay some credit to Közi for also being the mastermind behind Malice Mizer. It is just that Mana composed almost all the songs. Same here, Mana is my favourite Japanese musician. He beated Mirai from Sigh from the first place Mana can just do so many things with music..

Both the song and the video go together, both share the same mood. I don't think that his Gothic image was what got my attention. I think that he looks the best in the "Gardenia" music video and his looks there have little to do with the dark gothic image we Metalheads are used to. Mana looks like an anime character too, just see his dress and hair style in some videos. It is just that Satsuki's way of dressing dwells, or used to dwell, more in the fantasy field, I would say. I think you hit the nail right there; it must have been that listening to his voice takes the charm away (we have listened to Mana too though). But even if he were silent I don't think he would equal Mana in any form still.

What is so wrong in their new image? I don't see why the complaints.

Yes, but as long as this connection of mine remains so ungrim, watching videos from the Internet is not an option. Yes, I noticed but I would add Speed Metal in that mix too. It seems I hit the jackpot by downloading that song randomly.

They took too long for sending me those CDs indeed. Just see this, the store in which I ordered those items is found in the United States. Puerto Rico being in the Caribbean is very close to Florida. Now, a week after ordering those CDs and DVDs I made another order for some albums in England. Those albums were ordered from England but they passed through France (the package had some French words so I am guessing) and it was sent from Moscow, Russia and, as all things that come to Puerto Rico because of our status as a colony of the U.S., it had to pass to the United States before arriving here. Even with all this the albums I ordered from England arrived to my hands two weeks ago, two weeks before that order from the same United States. Ironic, isn't it?

But I don't have to worry anymore since I received the albums and DVDs today.

I don't know if he is really his nephew but the picture's name assures it. Too young for being an aunt you say? I don't think so. I have known of cases where the nephew himself/herself is even older than his/her uncle/aunt. Yes, we all love Mana.

I like X japan, Dir en Grey and some songs by Malice Mizer. that's about it.

but I'd rather want this people to be models. most people spend more time looking at their pictures than what they spend listening to their music. like me

But I got to agree that most of these people are very talented as musicians. the Piano skills in X for example

Written by Guest on 23.06.2006 at 10:54

I like X japan, Dir en Grey and some songs by Malice Mizer. that's about it.

but I'd rather want this people to be models. most people spend more time looking at their pictures than what they spend listening to their music. like me

But I got to agree that most of these people are very talented as musicians. the Piano skills in X for example

Well most of them ARE models y'know, and most of them also have their own brands, either they're clothes, or perfumes or makeup or even shoes and hair products, Gackt for example and his perfume Platinum Egoiste or something like that... and Mana has his Moi Meme Moitite or whatever you spell that, which is a clothing store, I'm quite sure Diru are the ones who have the hair products and shoes brands but I can't swear my butt on that, oh well

Written by Linak on 24.06.2006 at 00:34

Written by Guest on 23.06.2006 at 10:54

I like X japan, Dir en Grey and some songs by Malice Mizer. that's about it.

but I'd rather want this people to be models. most people spend more time looking at their pictures than what they spend listening to their music. like me

But I got to agree that most of these people are very talented as musicians. the Piano skills in X for example

Well most of them ARE models y'know, and most of them also have their own brands, either they're clothes, or perfumes or makeup or even shoes and hair products, Gackt for example and his perfume Platinum Egoiste or something like that... and Mana has his Moi Meme Moitite or whatever you spell that, which is a clothing store, I'm quite sure Diru are the ones who have the hair products and shoes brands but I can't swear my butt on that, oh well

I didn't know that. well I knew about Mana, but not the others. But, that's good that they indeed are models. I like that.