Souiumono 1st Album Release 3/5

Souiumono have announced that they will release their first album on March 5. The new album will be titled "Ragnarok," and it will be released in two types. Be sure to visit the band's OHP for a video spot featuring music from the new release.

Souiumono OHP here
"Ragnarok" Limited Edition at CD Japan here
"Ragnarok" Regular Edition at CD Japan here

KIFUMI Officially Leaves BORN

After a year-long activity pause, bassist KIFUMI has officially announced that he will leave BORN. PS Company has issued an official statement that February 28 is officially the musician's last day with the band, and in an individual statement, KIFUMI cites personal reasons and a need to concentrate on supporting his family as the reason behind the change. BORN will continue activity as a four-member band from this point forward. Statements can be found on the band's OHP.

BORN OHP here

MIYAVI First Digital Photo Book On Sale

MIYAVI has created his first digital photo book for his recent "SLAP THE BEAT" tour. The photo book is available for a limited time only, from February 13 to March 31, 2014, and it features a 131-page digital collection of exclusive photos taken during the musician's 2013 world tour. The download is available in PDF format only for $8 (tax included). Sales and item details are available from a special webepage on the artist's website.

MIYAVI photo book website here

[ORICON RANKINGS] Visual Kei Bands

Here's how some visual kei bands are holding out on the charts this week.

CD SINGLE -Weekly Ranking- (March 3, 2014)
#13  MISSING/ SuG
#26  Count ZERO/ Runners high/ T.M.Revolution & SCANDAL
#35  hug/ SID

CD Album -Weekly Ranking- (March 3, 2014)
NO LISTINGS

CD Indies Single -Weekly Ranking- (February 24, 2014)
#1    P.S. I LOVE U/ Gackt
#9    101 Kaime no Noroi/ Golden Bomber
#12  LILIA/ Royz
#15  ARCO∞IRIS/ DISACODE

#18  Fiv Five/ Sick2
#20  Memeshikute/ Golden Bomber
 
CD Indies Album -Weekly Ranking- (FEBRUARY 24, 2013)
NO LISTINGS

ORICON STYLE Rankings here

Ecthelion Gets New Member in March

Ecthelion has announced that they have added a new member to the band. On March 25, Sebastiano Serafini will join the group. Sebastiano, also known as Seba, is originally from Milan, Italy, and began a modeling career at age 15. He came to Japan in 2009, where he has participated in modeling, acting, and music. He will debut at the band's March 25 one man show at Takadanobaba AREA. More information is available on the Ecthelion OHP.

Ecthelion OHP here

Nightmare New PV on YouTube

Avex has uploaded a new PV for Nightmare to their official YouTube channel. The new 1:56 minute clip features a portion of the PV for the band's new song "Gallows." This song will be one of the tracks included on Nightmare's upcoming "TO BE OR NOT TO BE" album, out on March 19.

NIGHTMARE PV clip here

Gimmick. Single Available on iTunes

Gimmick.'s latest single release is now available to purchase in the U.S. via the iTunes Music Store. The new single, titled "2A," was released on December 4, 2013 in Japan, and is now available to download for $2.58 in the U.S. store. For availability in other countries, please check your local iTunes store listings.

Gimmick.'s "2A" single at iTunes here

the GazettE Document DVD International Release

JPU Records, a company based in London, has announced that they will be releasing the new documentary DVD from the GazettE to an international market. "the GazettE WORLD TOUR '13 DOCUMENTARY" will be released in Europe, North America, Latin America, Oceania, and Asia via iTunes stores (among others). JPU Records will also be releasing the video with English subtitles. The DVD will be released in Japan on February 26. Pre-order details can be found on the JPU Records website.

JPU Records official site here

DIV Full Version PVs on YouTube

Danger Crue Records has uploaded two new full version PVs for DIV to their official YouTube channel. Fans can now find videos for the band's simultaneous releases, "BUTTERFLY DREAMER" and "you," available to watch online. Both new singles will be released on February 26 in two versions each.

"BUTTERFLY DREAMER" PV on YouTube here
"you" PV on YouTube here

Rose Noire Scheduled for Otafest 2014

Rose Noire has officially been announced as the first musical guest for Otafest 2014. The duo will be performing on Saturday, May 17 in a concert that will be free to convention attendees. Otafest is a three-day festival that takes place from May 16 to 18 at the University of Calgary in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. More details, including an event flyer featuring the musicians, can be found on the Otafest official website.

Otafest 2014 website here

An Cafe Tour Site Open & Comment Video

An Cafe have officially opened the special website for their "LIVE CAFE TOUR 2014 NYAPPY GO AROUND THE WORLD IV." Fans can now visit the site to find a tour schedule, special edited videos for each tour stop--Germany is already up, tour photos, and more. There is also a new official comment video, subtitled in English, available on the Gan Shin Records TV YouTube channel.

NYAPPY TOUR 2014 site here
Comment video on YouTube here

Moran Airs on Nico Nico 2/24

Moran will be featured in a special program on the Nico Nico website. The "Moran-Moran-Naman" show will air on February 24 with special guests TOMO and Ray of BORN. The two bands will appear together during their two man tour in April. This hour-long Moran show will begin airing at 21:30 JST (convert time here), and time shifting is available for registered Nico Nico members who can't watch as it airs.

Moran-Moran-Naman airs here

umbrella Comment on YouTube

umbrella has uploaded a new comment video to their official YouTube channel. The 2:26 minute video features the band talking about their upcoming second single release, "Knocking...". That four-track single release will hit stores on February 26. Track listings and details are available on the band's OHP.


umbrella comment on YouTube here
umbrella OHP here
"Knocking..." at CD Japan here
"Knocking..." at HMV (English) here

NoGoD Video Spot on YouTube

King Records has updated their official YouTube channel with a new video spot for NoGoD's upcoming mini album release. The video features a 3:36 minute clip of the song "Sakura" done with an acoustic guitar intro. The mini album, titled "Shikisai," will be released on March 5, 2014 in "visions" and "sounds" versions.

"Sakura" clip on YouTube here
NoGoD OHP here
"Shikisai" visions CD at CD Japan here
"Shikisai" sounds CD at CD Japan here

T.M.Revolution Special Airs on Nico Nico 2/23

T.M.Revolution will be featured in a web special airing on the Nico Nico website on February 23. The "T.M.R. LIVE REVOLUTION’13 -UNDERⅡCOVER-" special begins airing at 19:00 JST (convert time here) and promises to allow fans to watch the show with the artist. Time shifting is available for registered Nico Nico users who can't watch the show as it airs.

T.M.Revolution special airs here

SuG New Live Video Release 4/16

SuG have announced that they will be releasing a new live video on April 16. The new release will be titled "SuG Onemanshow 2013 'update ver.0',” and it will feature performances from their December 29, 2013 comeback show at Yoyogi National Gymnasium. The video will be released in both DVD and Blu-ray formats. Track listings are available on the band's OHP.

SuG OHP news here
"SuG Onemanshow" DVD at CD Japan here
"SuG Onemanshow" Blu-ray at CD Japan here

SuG New Video Clips on YouTube

SuG are back with two new video clips featured on YouTube. Vif Music has uploaded a comment clip from the band to its official YouTube channel. That 5:21 minute video features the band talking about their new "MISSING" single, just released on February 19, the video for the title track, their 2014 tour, and their answers to a question. SuG has also released a short version video for the song "Rolling!!" to their own official SuG channel. That 1:09 video features footage from the B-side track included on the new single.

Vif SuG Comment here
"Rolling!!" video clip here

xTRIPx PV Spot on YouTube

xTRIPx have uploaded a new PV spot to their official YouTube channel. The 0:40 second clip features a sample of the song "10+1" from the group's upcoming "Life iz addition" single. That single will hit stores in two types on March 19. The track list and type details are already available on the band's OHP.



xTRIPx PV Spot on YouTube here
xTRiPx OHP here

[ORICON RANKINGS] Visual Kei Bands

Here's how some visual kei bands are holding out on the charts this week.

CD SINGLE -Weekly Ranking- (February 24, 2014)
#5    Count ZERO/ Runners high/ T.M.Revolution & SCANDAL
#6    hug/ SID
#12  P.S. I LOVE U/ Gackt
#38  emit./ THE KIDDIE
#39  Hikari/ ViViD

CD Album -Weekly Ranking- (February 24, 2014)
#27  PERFECT FANTASY/ LM.C

CD Indies Single -Weekly Ranking- (February 17, 2014)
#4    HURRAH HARRAY/ LIPHLICH
#5    Setsuna Candle/ REALies
#6    Kamisama Ikasama/ LEZARD
#10  101 Kaime no Noroi/ Golden Bomber
#14  Shoujo A/ Glam Grammar

#16  LILIA/ Royz

#18  Memeshikute/ Golden Bomber
 
CD Indies Album -Weekly Ranking- (FEBRUARY 17, 2013)
NO LISTINGS

ORICON STYLE Rankings here

exist†trace Announces Plans for International Fan Club

On "Igu" day (the 19th in Japan can also be pronounced "igu"), exist†trace celebrates the date by announcing plans to open an International fan club for overseas fans. In recent years the band has played a number of shows in many different countries, and they wish to open an "Archangel Diamond" club for fans worldwide to join. They plan to open the site sometime in the spring, but the official start date, membership benefits, and other details have not yet been announced. Fans can still visit the special "Archangel Diamond" home page to subscribe to their site news, or join their official fan club Facebook, Twitter, and Tumblr pages.

Archangel Diamond Fan Club site here

DIV on Nico Nico 2/23

DIV will be making another appearances on a Nico Nico web show on February 23. The band will be appearing in a special broadcast titled "Shin sedai no jitsuryoku-ha band DIV 2-mai douji single hatsubai kinen gensen eizou ikkyo housou!" that will air to promote the band's two new simultaneous-release singles. The show will feature select videos from the band's past releases and live performances, and it will begin airing at 22:00 JST (convert time here). Time shifting is available for Nico Nico registered users who are not able to watch the show as it airs live.

DIV special airs here

Plastic Tree Music Video on YouTube

Victor Music Entertainment has uploaded a new music video for Plastic Tree to its official YouTube channel. The new video features the band's song "Kagee" from their upcoming mini album release, "echo." "echo" will hit stores in two types on March 5.

"Kagee" Music Video on YouTube here
Plastic Tree OHP here

"Unbroken" Movie with Miyavi Scheduled for Christmas Release

As reported earlier, Miyavi was cast for a movie role by actor and director Angelina Jolie in her upcoming film adaptation of "Unbroken," the best-selling book by Laura Hillenband. That movie has been scheduled to release this year on Christmas Day, December 25, 2014. Scenes from the movie and comments from Louis Zamperini can now be viewed on the film's official website.

"Unbroken" is the true story of Louis "Lou" Zamperini, an Olympic athlete and WWII airman who was taken prisoner of war when his bomber crashed into the Pacific Ocean in 1943. Miyavi plays the role of Mutsushiro Watanabe, the Japanese soldier who guarded and tortured Zamperini during his captivity.

"Unbroken" film website here
"Unbroken" book by Laura Hillenbrand at Amazon here

Royz Live DVD Release 5/7

Royz have announced that they will be releasing a new live DVD on May 7. The new DVD will be titled "ONEMAN LIVE 100th Anniversary 'DIRGE OF EGOIST' ～2013.09.23 Zepp Tokyo～," and it will sell for around 5,980 JPY. Track listings are not yet available.

Royz OHP news here

Alice Nine & DIV on Nico Nico 2/27

Alice Nine and DIV will be making guest appearances on a Nico Nico web show on February 27. The "Tokimeki☆Viju Night" show will air at 20:00 JST (convert time here). Time shifting is available for Nico Nico registered users who are not able to watch the show as it airs live. Paid Premium Members will be able to view a special secret corner after the show.

Alice Nine & DIV air here

sForzato Music on iTunes

Fans of sForzato can find their music available to buy on iTunes. The singles titled "Fallen," "Over-Drive," and "Cease Fire" are available to download through the online store in the U.S. For availability in other countries, please check your local listings. sForzato consist of Rui on drums, Kazuki on bass, Cedo on vocals, and Kousuki and Hiro on guitar.

sForzato on iTunes here
sForzato OHP here

Alice Nine Channel Airs 2/22

The next air date for Alice Nine's Nico Nico program, "Alice9 Channel," is February 22, 2014. The program airs at 22:00 JST (convert time zones). Registered Nico Nico members may time shift for later viewing if they are not able to watch the live show.

Alice Nine Channel airs here

DaizyStripper Announce New Single & Album

DaizyStripper have updated their OHP with news of new single and album releases. First up, on May 15 the band plans to released their 17th single, titled "G.Z.S.K.K.," in three types. The following month, they will release their sixth full album, titled "TRAGUS," on June 18. That album will be issued in three types. Track lists and release details are available on the band's OHP.

DaizyStripper OHP here

KAMIJO x Artemis Classic Collaboration

KAMIJO and Artemis Classic will be collaborating on a new set of commemorative jewelry and accessories to be released in conjunction with the vocalist's upcoming "Symphony of The Vampire" release. The collaboration will debut on March 5, and will include two necklaces, three rings, and two kinds of dress uniform buttons. The project's site also includes a special video introducing the theme and concept that inspired the project.

KAMIJO x Artemis Classic special site here

NIGHTMARE New Album Release 3/19

NIGHTMARE has announced that they will be releasing a new album on March 19. The new album will be titled "TO BE OR NOT TO BE," and it will be released in three types. The cover art for all three types, when put together, form a complete image of the band (as seen on the OHP). The band has also updated their OHP with a new header showing their new look for the release.

NIGHTMARE OHP here

NOCTURNAL BLOODLUST New Release Details

In December, NOCTURNAL BLOODLUST announced that they had several new releases planned for 2014. The band has recently updated their OHP with more details about those items. On March 19, the band will be releasing a live "GEARS OF OMEGA" DVD from their show at Daikanyama UNIT. March will also see the first of three consecutive months of releases, with a new single titled "Strike in fact" coming out on March 26. New single releases will follow on April 30 with "DESPERATE" and May 28 with "Libra."

NOCTURNAL BLOODLUST OHP here

MIYAVI North American Show Dates

MIYAVI has added performance dates in the U.S. and Mexico to his upcoming "SLAP THE WORLD TOUR 2014." In addition to shows already planned in Japan, Asia, and Europe, the artist has now added stops on April 23rd in Mexico City, Mexico, and April 25th in Los Angeles, California, to his tour. More details can be found on the musician's OHP.

MIYAVI OHP here

THE KIDDIE New Single Release 4/16

On the heels of their February 12 new release, "emit.,"THE KIDDIE have announced that they will be releasing another new single on April 16. The new single will be titled "1414287356," and it will be released in two types. Don't miss the PV for "emit." that is also available from the band's OHP.

THE KIDDIE OHP here
"1414287356" CD+DVD at CD Japan here
"1414287356" CD at CD Japan here

[ORICON RANKINGS] Visual Kei Bands

Here's how some visual kei bands are holding out on the charts this week.

CD SINGLE -Weekly Ranking- (February 17, 2014)
#9     Hikari/ ViViD

CD Album -Weekly Ranking- (February 17, 2014)
#47   Kuro to Kage/ Kuroyume

CD Indies Single -Weekly Ranking- (February 10, 2014)
#4    101 Kaime no Noroi/ Golden Bomber
#15  LILIA/ Royz
#17  Memeshikute/ Golden Bomber
#19  SATISFACTION?/ BORN
 
CD Indies Album -Weekly Ranking- (FEBRUARY 10, 2013)
NO LISTINGS

ORICON STYLE Rankings here

DuelJewel Show Airs 2/12

DuelJewel airs the 17th episode of their show titled "DuelJewel's Ginga Kokudou 348 ~Watashi wa Neji ni Naritai~" on the Japan Visual TV website on February 12. The hour-long program begins at 21:00 JST (convert time here). Digest versions of the shows are usually made available shortly after they air.

DuelJewel show airs here

THE MICRO HEAD 4N'S Full PVs on YouTube

THE MICRO HEAD 4N'S currently have two full-version PVs posted on their official YouTube channel. Complete PVs for the songs "HELLO MY CLONE" from the band's first album, "A BEGINNING FROM THE END.," and "Raimei" from their second album, "REVERBERATIONS," are available for viewing.

THE MICRO HEAD 4N'S YouTube Channel here

LIPHLICH Mini Album Release 6/4

LIPHLICH has announced that they will be releasing a new mini album on June 4. The new album will be titled "GRATEFUL NONSENSE," but no other details have been released yet.

LIPHLICH OHP here

BORN Comment on Japan Visual TV

Japan Visual TV has uploaded a comment from BORN to its official Facebook page. The 2:11 minute message features the band members discussing their upcoming performance during the Hysteric Circus - Asia Circuit vol. 1 show, which will take place on March 30 in Taipei, Taiwan.

BORN comment on Japan Visual TV Facebook here

NoVA New Single Release 2/15

NoVA will be releasing a new single on February 15. The new single will be called "Gimicchu," and it will include a total of two songs and a DVD.

NoVA OHP here

An Cafe Start World Tour IV Site

An Cafe have begun creating a special website for their "LIVE CAFE TOUR 2014 NYAPPY GO AROUND THE WORLD IV." While the special site is not yet open, it promises to include information about the tour for both Japanese and Overseas fans. There has not yet been an announcement about when the site is expected to go live.

NYAPPY TOUR 2014 site will be here

umbrella New Single Release 2/26

umbrella will be releasing their second single on February 26. The new single will be titled "Knocking...," and it will include a total of four tracks. The band's first single, "Samidare," was released in 2011. Track listings and details are available on the band's OHP.

umbrella OHP here
"Knocking..." at CD Japan here
"Knocking..." at HMV (English) here

Kra Mini Album Details Released

Kra have released more details about their upcoming mini album release. The new album will be titled "Satahinato," and it will be released on April 23 in two types. The limited version will include five new songs and a DVD, while the regular version will include six new songs. The band will also be releasing a new live DVD on the same day. Check their OHP for details on both.

Kra OHP here
"Satahinato" Limited Edition at CD Japan here
"Satahinato" Regular Edition at CD Japan here
"Joker of Despair from "zero"" Live DVD at CD Japan here

lynch. New Album Release 4/9

lynch. have announced that they will be releasing a new album on April 9. The new album will be titled "GALLOWS," and it will include 12 new songs. Other details are not yet available.

lynch. OHP here

LIPHLICH & DuelJewel on Nico Nico 2/11

LIPHLICH and DuelJewel will be making guest appearances on a Nico Nico web show on February 11. The "Tokimeki☆Viju Night" show will air at 20:00 JST (convert time here). Time shifting is available for Nico Nico registered users who are not able to watch the show as it airs live. Paid Premium Members will be able to view a special secret corner after the show.

LIPHLICH & DuelJewel air here

BIOSPHIA New Album Release 4/2

BIOSPHIA will be releasing a new album on April 2. The new album will be titled "FIERCE," and it will include five songs. No other details have been released yet.

BIOSPHIA details on Crow Music site here

THE KIDDIE Comment on YouTube

Vif Music has uploaded a new comment video from THE KIDDIE to its official YouTube channel. The 3:46 minute video features the band discussing their new single, "emit.," out February 12, their one man tour, and their upcoming fan club live.

THE KIDDIE comment on YouTube here

heidi. New Album Release Expected

heidi. has announced via their OHP that they expect to release a new full album sometime in May. No other details have been released yet. This would be the band's first full-album release since "Alpha" came out on September 19, 2012.

heidi. OHP here

LM.C Comment on YouTube

Vif Music has uploaded a new comment video from LM.C to its official YouTube channel. The 8:15 minute video features maya and Aiji discussing their new album, "PERFECT FANTASY," out February 12, the start of their 2014 tour, and more.

LM.C comment on YouTube here

PS COMPANY Presents Show Airs 2/6

PS COMPANY will be presenting another special program on the Nico Nico Live website on February 6. The "PS COMPANY PRESENTS 'Chichuu Roukaku TV'" event will begin airing at 20:00 JST (convert time here). Sponsored by the well-known management agency, the show promises to feature music samples and videos from a variety of indie bands like REIGN, LOST ASH, BIOSPHIA, the Raid., Memento Mori, ANSIA, Nihilizm, and more. Time shifting is available for registered Nico Nico users who cannot watch the program as it airs.

PS COMPANY PRESENTS airs here

ROCK AND READ 052 Artists Revealed

Music magazine ROCK AND READ has announced the list of artists who will be featured in volume 052, due to hit stores February 26. The front cover artist for this issue will be Ryuutaro Arimura (Plastic Tree), and the back will be Mitsuru Matsuoka (MICHAEL). Other featured artists will be:  Aiji (LM.C), Tora (Alice Nine), Umi (vistlip), Takemasa Kujou (Kiryu), Yugiri (DaizyStripper), Manabu (SCREW), Toru Kawauchi (12012), Soan (Moran), LiN (UNiTE), and ryo (HOLLOWGRAM).

 ROCK AND READ blog here

THE MICRO HEAD 4N'S Goods Available Overseas

International fans of THE MICRO HEAD 4N'S can now purchase a selection of the band's goods online. Seven of the band's products, including DVDs, bags, and towels, are now available to purchase through the coolJAPANstore website.

TM4NS goods at coolJAPANstore here

GANGLION Jewelry Collaboration

GANGLION and haraKIRI jewelry have put together a collaboration project for fans. The band has worked with the jewelry company to create a limited-edition silver cross necklace. This item will retail for 18,900 JPY, and it will go on sale at GANGLION's one man "RISING" live tour final on February 16. Pre-order reservations begin on the band's OHP February 3.

GANGLION OHP here
Collaboration project necklace details here

Visual Bands Participate in SADS Tribute Album

A variety of visual bands will be participating in a tribute album for the band SADS. Bands like LIPHLICH, DIAURA, DISH, Lycaon, MEJIBRAY, Omega Dripp, DAZZLE VISION, Leda and ryo, Awoi, and HEXVOID will all be recording cover songs from the band on the album to be titled "SADS RESPECT ALBUM 'M''. That tribute album will be released on March 26 under the Geishun Label for 3,150 JPY. Track listings are available on the label's website.

Geishun Label site details here

MEJIBRAY PV Spot & Tribute Album Contribution

MEJIBRAY has updated their OHP with a new video clip and news of a new tribute album on which they've added  a contribution. The video is a 0:46 second PV clip for the band's new single release, "RAVEN." That single will be the band's 10th, and  it will hit stores on March 19 in three types. MEJIBRAY, along with a variety of other visual bands, will also be adding a song to a tribute album being released to honor the band SADS. They will be recording the song titled "Porno Star" for the "SADS RESPECT ALBUM 'M'" set to be released on March 26.

MEJIBRAY OHP here

KAMIJO New Mini Album Trailer on YouTube

KAMIJO is offering a new video trailer for his upcoming "Symphony of The Vampire" mini album release. This 1:05 minute video is the third the vocalist has released on his official YouTube channel, and it seems to include teaser clips from the PV. "Symphony of The Vampire" will be released on March 5.

"Symphony of The Vampire" clip 3 on YouTube here

Capella to Disband

Visual band Capella has announced that they will disband after their one man show ends in June 2014. The members cite musical differences and conflicting opinions as reasons for their decision, but they promise to give their best performances in the time they have left. Capella is signed under Starwave Records. A band announcement and statements from all the member can be found in Japanese on their OHP and translated to English on their Facebook page.

Capella OHP here
Capella Facebook here