Blu-BiLLioN New DVD Release 7/2

Blu-BiLLioN has announced that they will release their first live DVD on July 2. The DVD titled "'To BLUE WORLD' 2014.2.8 Nippon Seinenkan," and it will be released in two versions. The band's new single "Tresor" was just release on April 23.

Blu-BiLLioN 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- (May 5, 2014)
#19 FUGLY/ SCREW
#21 Tresor/ Blu-BiLLioN

CD Album -Weekly Ranking- (May 5, 2014)
NO LISTINGS

CD Indies Single -Weekly Ranking- (April 28, 2014)
#13  Kyumei/ REIGN
#14  ♪La La La♪/Jikyu￥850/ Kameleo
  
CD Indies Album -Weekly Ranking- (April 28, 2013)
#3   Children's Dope./ Codomo Dragon

ORICON STYLE Rankings here

R-Shitei New Single Release 5/14

R-Shitei have announced that they will be releasing a new single on May 14. The single will be titled "Yanderu Kanojo," and it will be released in two types. The band has included two movie-style promo video spots on their OHP for the single.

R-Shitei OHP here
"Yanderu Kanojo" PV Spot 1 on YouTube here
"Yanderu Kanojo" PV Spot 2 on YouTube here

SuG New Single Release 7/23

SuG have announced via their OHP that they will be releasing a new single on July 23. The new single will be titled "B.A.B.Y." but details for coupling songs have not yet been announced.

SuG OHP here

BLACKLINE New EP Release 6/11

BLACKLINE have announced that they will be releasing a new EP on June 11. The new EP will be titled "THIS IS WAR EP," and it will include a total of four song tracks. A complete track list is available on the band's OHP.

BLACKLINE OHP here

An Cafe to Perform in Canada

An Cafe have announced that they will be playing at the 21st Animethon in Canada. The band will be appearing on August 9, 2014. Animethon takes place from August 8-10, 2014 at MacEwan University's City Centre Campus in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. More details can be found on the Animethon website and the An Cafe OHP.

Animethon website here
An Cafe OHP here

Anli Pollicino Show Airs 4/28

Anli Pollicino will be featured in a show airing on April 28 on the Nico Nico Live website. The "Anli Pollicino April Nico Live" show will begin airing at 22:00 JST (convert time here) and promises to include all band members talking about their oneman tour. Time shifting is available for registered Nico Nico members who cannot watch the show as it airs.

Anli Pollicino show airs here

Kirito New CAUSE REALIZE Solo Project Website

Kirito has opened a website called CAUSE REALIZE for his experimental solo project works. The vocalist recently released a new single titled "Clue" under the name CELLCODE, which is currently available to download from iTunes. He has also added sample sound clips for the songs "Clue" and "Aim," for which all of the programming and music was done by Kirito himself. As well as release news, there are also links to an artist photo gallery and a web store with shirts and jewelry available for purchase. The site opened in February 2014.

Kirito's CAUSE REALIZE website here

GANGLION to Announce New Bassist

GANGLION has announced via their OHP that they have invited a new bassist to join the band. They will officially introduce her at their live show at Shibuya REX on May 5. Former GANGLION bassist Yui left the band on April 5, 2014 due to health issues. Stay tuned for more news about the new lineup in May.

GANGLION OHP here

Nightmare New Single Release 6/25

Nightmare will be releasing a new single on June 25. The new single will be titled "TABOO," and currently you can listen to a sample audio clip of the song from the band's OHP. The song is also featured in a movie report for the film titled "Doreiku Boku to 23-ri no Dorei." No other release details are available yet.

Nightmare OHP here
Movie clip on YouTube here

Lin-THE END OF CORRUPTION WORLD- New Website & Single

Lin are back with a new website and an announcement of a new single. The new maxi single will be released on July 23, and it will be titled "Chaotic Resistance." The single will be released in two types. Lin's latest single, "Sacred Xanadu," was just released on April 21. Don't miss the video promotional clip for it on the OHP.

Lin OHP here

FEST VAINQUEUR New Single Release 7/23

FEST VAINQUEUR have announced that they will release their sixth single on July 23. The new single will be titled "Valencia to Virginia," and it will be released in two types.

FEST VAINQUEUR OHP here

MU Talk on YouTube

KAMIJO has uploaded a new video talk with MU to his official YouTube channel. The 12:12 minute video features KAMIJO talking to members of the new band about their upcoming first mini album release. "Discovery of the AVALON" will be released on May 21.

KAMIJO & MU Special Talk on YouTube here

Yeti Album Preview on YouTube

Yeti have uploaded a new video preview to their official YouTube channel. The new 32 second clip previews music from the band's upcoming "Satou to Shio" mini album release on April 30. This will be the band's third release.

Yeti mini album preview clip on YouTube here
Yeti OHP here

MIYAVI Album Available for Download in iTunes

MIYAVI's self-titled international release from June 2013 is now available to download through iTunes stores worldwide. The full album was just released in several countries, and now is available for purchase and download in the U.S. iTunes store. The 11-track album retails for $9.99 in the U.S. store. For pricing and availability in other countries, please check your local online store.

"MIYAVI" album on iTunes U.S. 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- (April 28, 2014)
#19 1414287356/ THE KIDDIE

CD Album -Weekly Ranking- (April 28, 2014)
#22  Children's Dope./ Codomo Dragon

CD Indies Single -Weekly Ranking- (April 21, 2014)
#5   ♪La La La♪/Jikyu￥850/ Kameleo
#10 Akai Bathroom/ SCAPEGOAT
#14 Sakura no Koi/ Jin
#15 Hone/ BugLug
#19 101 Kaime no Noroi/ Golden Bomber
  
CD Indies Album -Weekly Ranking- (April 14, 2013)
#3   THE STALIN -666-/ BORN
#11 SADS RESPECT ALBUM [M]/ Various Artists
#17 Sakura x Kuroku x Kuraku/ DISACODE

ORICON STYLE Rankings here

BUCK-TICK New Releases

BUCK-TICK has announced that they will be releasing a new single and album in coming months. On May 14, the band will release a new single titled "Keijijou Ryuusei." That will be the band's 33rd single release, and it will be issued in three types. Then on June 4, BUCK-TICK will be releasing a new album titled "Arui wa Anarchy" in four types. TOKUMA JAPAN COMMUNICATIONS has issued a 32 second sample sound clip for the new song "Melancholia -ELECTRIA-" from the single to its official YouTube channel.

BUCK-TICK OHP here
"Melancholia -ELECTRIA-" sound clip on YouTube here

D=OUT New Full PV on YouTube

TOKUMA JAPAN COMMUNICATIONS has uploaded a new full PV from D=OUT to its official YouTube channel. The new 4:39 minute video features the band's new song, "Zange no Hanamichi," from their upcoming single of the same name. That single, the band's seventh major single release, will hit stores on May 21.

"Zange no Hanamichi" on YouTube here

SCREW New Album Release 8/20

SCREW has just announced that they will be releasing a new full album on August 20. The new album will be titled "PSYCHO MONSTERS," but no other details have been announced.

SCREW OHP here

v[NEU] New Releases

v[NEU] will soon be releasing a new live DVD and has also announced a new single. On April 30, the band will release their "NEW YEAR ONEMAN 2014.1.26" DVD from their performance at SHIBUYA-AX earlier this year. The OHP currently features a YouTube promotional video clip from the show. More recently, the band also announced that they will be releasing a new single on July 2 to commemorate their 5th anniversary. No title or track details are available yet.

v[NEU] OHP here

exist†trace Comment Video & International Fan Club

exist†trace have released a new comment video with more information about their new Archangel Diamond International Fan Club. The video, released on their official Facebook webpages, announces that the new fan club will officially open on May 19, which will be "Igu Day" for the band.

Archangel Diamond Facebook here

2nd Dyz Announces Disbandment

2nd Dyz announced yesterday via their OHP that they will be disbanding this fall. The band's final performance will be a show at Ash OSAKA on August 30. They apologize for the sudden announcement and thank fans for supporting them, but no official reason was listed for the decision. The full statement can be viewed on the band's OHP.

2nd Dyz OHP here

lynch. Special Airs 4/20

lynch. members soon will be appearing in a special broadcast on the Nico Nico Live website. On April 20, all lynch. members will be broadcasting live from somewhere in Nagoya. No other description has been listed for this mysterious show, which begins airing at 11:00 JST (convert time here). Time shifting is available for registered Nico Nico site users who can't watch the program as it airs.

lynch. Emergency Live Broadcast airs here

THE ViViD STYLE Airs 5/12

ViViD will appear in their Nico Nico show, "THE ViViD STYLE," on May 12. The show will air at 21:00 JST (convert time here). Registered Nico Nico members may use the time shift function if they are not able to watch the live show.

The ViViD Style to air here

Awoi New Mini Album & Disbandment Announcement

Awoi has recently announced via their OHP that while they soon will be releasing a new mini album, they also plan to disband this fall. On May 7, the band will be releasing a mini album titled "Futekigo na Ringo" in three types. This will be the group's sixth mini album release. The band will "dissolve" and stop activity after their 10th anniversary performance at Osaka BIG CAT on October 22. They are sorry for the sudden announcement, and they thank their fans for their constant support. Each member has left a statement on the OHP.

Awoi OHP here

Schwarz-welt New Band & Demo Single

New band Schwarz-welt has created a web site and announced that they will soon release their first demo single. Schwarz-welt consists of Maki on vocals, Haru on guitar, SIN on bass, and Luvia on drums. The band's first demo single will be titled "Tandeki Shoushin Toroimerai," and it will be released on May 6.

Schwarz-welt OHP here

Grieva New Single 7/30

Grieva has announced that they will be releasing their third single on July 30. The new single will be titled "Sei to Shi," and there is a sample video clip for it currently available on the band's OHP.

Grieva OHP here

Bakuretsu! Nightmare Airs 5/13

Nightmare's next appearance on their Nico Nico web show, "Bakuretsu! Nightmare," will be May 13. The show airs at 21:00 JST (convert time here). Nico Nico registered members may time shift for later viewing if they cannot watch the live show as it airs.

"Bakuretsu! Nightmare" airs here

inc.RIBON New Video on YouTube

inc.RIBON has uploaded a new video to their official YouTube channel. The 33 second clip features a sample of the new song, "Misshitsu no Haru," and the description promises that this is the first of five consecutive months of single releases. Stay tuned for more release news.

inc.RIBON "Misshitsu no Haru" on YouTube here

[ORICON RANKINGS] Visual Kei Rankings

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

CD SINGLE -Weekly Ranking- (April 21, 2014)
#9   Period/ vistlip
#38 Kimi ga Inai, Ano Hi kara.../ Acid Black Cherry
#40 ♪La La La♪/Jikyu￥850/ Kameleo

CD Album -Weekly Ranking- (April 21, 2014)
#14  GALLOWS/ lynch.
#30  A Silent, within The Roar/ OLDCODEX
#46  THE STALIN -666-/ BORN

CD Indies Single -Weekly Ranking- (April 14, 2014)
#1   ♪La La La♪/Jikyu￥850/ Kameleo
#5   Raison d'etre/ the Raid.
#11 Cynical Wa-aru~This is monster world~/ Black Gene for the Next Scene
#12 Bakane./ Lycaon
#13 Hone/ BugLug
#19 RAVEN/ MEJIBRAY
  
CD Indies Album -Weekly Ranking- (April 14, 2013)
#6   AvelCain/ AvelCain
#10 Second Opinion/ R-Shitei

ORICON STYLE Rankings here

GIGAMOUS 3 Consecutive Months of Releases

GIGAMOUS has announced that they will be issuing three consecutive months of releases, starting in June. On June 4, the band will release their third single, "Platonic," which will be available in two types. One July 9, they will release their fourth single, "Tokyo," also available in two types. Information for the August release is not yet available. Check the band's OHP for more details.

GIGAMOUS OHP here

MU Trailer on YouTube

KAMIJO has uploaded a new video trailer for the band MU to his official YouTube channel. The 1:39 minute video feature sample song tracks from the band's upcoming mini album release. MU will be releasing a new mini album titled "Discovery of the AVALON" on May 21 that will include a total of seven songs.

MU Trailer on YouTube here
MU OHP here

[UPDATE] PIERROT Resumes Activity

PIERROT fans will be happy to know that the band has recently resumed activities. On April 12, the group announced that they would come together again for the first time since disbanding on April 12, 2006. The band has opened a new website with a message promising that they will not be focusing on their image from the past and asking fans to look forward to seeing their current style. Don't miss the "Hello" video on the new OHP.

PIERROT OHP here


UPDATE: In this article, I neglected to mention that the band has announced only two performances, October 24 and 25 at Saitama Super Arena, on their OHP. There is no indication that this reunion will interrupt activities of any PIERROT members' current bands.

GOTCHAROCKA New Single Release 6/4

GOTCHAROCKA has announced that they will be releasing a new single on June 4. The new single will be titled "Gekiai." Other details are not yet available.

GOTCHAROCKA OHP here

Alice Nine Channel Airs 5/26

The next air date for Alice Nine's Nico Nico program, "Alice9 Channel," is May 26, 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

TMH4N'S Drummer Sings Enka

TSUKASA, drummer for THE MICRO HEAD 4N'S, has recently begun a side project as an enka singer. Develop Records has just uploaded a video on its official YouTube channel featuring the musician singing an enka ballad, "Hanagasa Ondo," during the band's recent European tour. Is he the world's first visual kei enka singer? So says the title of this video.

TSUKASA sings enka video here

Kameleo New Single Release 7/23

Kameleo has announced that they will release a new single on July 23. The new single will be titled "Obake," and it will be issued in three types. Details can be found on the band's OHP.

Kameleo OHP here

KAMIJO 2 Consecutive Months of Releases

KAMIJO has announced that he will have two consecutive months of releases, starting in June. On June 18, the artist will release a new single titled "Moulin Rouge," which will be released in three types. Details for other releases are not yet available.

KAMIJO release news here

Bakuretsu! Nightmare Airs 4/15

Nightmare's next appearance on their Nico Nico web show, "Bakuretsu! Nightmare," will be April 15. The show airs at 21:00 JST (convert time here). Nico Nico registered members may time shift for later viewing if they cannot watch the live show as it airs.

"Bakuretsu! Nightmare" airs here

PS COMPANY PRESENTS Special Airs 4/18

PS COMPANY will be presenting another special program on the Nico Nico Live website on April 18. The "PS COMPANY PRESENTS 'Chichuu Roukaku TV'" event will begin airing at 19:00 JST (convert time here). Sponsored by the well-known management agency, the show promises to feature music and videos from a variety of indie bands like LOUD GRAPE, Memento Mori, the Raid., BIOSPHIA, and more. Time shifting is available for registered Nico Nico users who cannot watch the program as it airs.

PS COMPANY PRESENTS airs here

Blu-BiLLioN & Royz Air 4/22

Blu-BiLLioN and Royz will be making guest appearances on a Nico Nico web show on April 22. 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.

Tokimeki airs here

vistlip & GUILD Air 4/27

vistlip and GUILD will be making guest appearances on a Nico Nico web show on April 27. The "Tokimeki☆Viju Night" show will air at 15:00 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.

Tokimeki airs 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- (April 14, 2014)
#9    ♪La La La♪/Jikyu￥850/ Kameleo
#29  Kimi ga Inai, Ano Hi kara.../ Acid Black Cherry
#40  Reverb/ Kuroyume
#47  Raison d'etre/ the Raid.

CD Album -Weekly Ranking- (April 14, 2014)
NO LISTINGS

CD Indies Single -Weekly Ranking- (April 7, 2014)
#5   Bakane./ Lycaon
#6   Cynical Wa-aru~This is monster world~/ Black Gene for the Next Scene
#7   Strike in fact/ NOCTURNAL BLOODLUST
#8   Hone/ BugLug
#10 RAVEN/ MEJIBRAY
  
CD Indies Album -Weekly Ranking- (April 7, 2013)
#2   ELECTRIC ROMANCE/ Anli Pollicino
#5   LIVE BEST/ girugamesh
#14 This is RoNo☆Cro/ RoNo☆Cro

 ORICON STYLE Rankings here

DIV New Comment Video on YouTube

Danger Crue Records has uploaded a new comment video from DIV to their official YouTube channel. The 1:36 minute video features the band talking about their new single release on May 7 as well as sending a message out to their Taiwan fans.

DIV comment on YouTube here

exist†trace Single Release Details

exist†trace has updated their OHP with details about their upcoming single release. The release information page now includes a full tracklist for the "Spiral Daisakusen" single, due out May 14, and sample audio tracks for all the songs.

exist†trace OHP release page here

Crazy★shampoo Announced Disbandment

Crazy★shampoo has updated their OHP with news that they will be disbanding. The band's last performance will be their May 18 "testament" oneman show at Shibuya La.mama. There is no news yet on how this may affect the full album they planned to release in May. The band was formed in 2010. A full statement can be found on the band's OHP.

Crazy★shampoo OHP here

lynch. New Live DVD Release

lynch. has announced that they will be releasing a new live DVD sometime later this year. The live video will feature performances from the band's upcoming April 23rd "TO THE GALLOWS -ABSOLUTE XANADU-" show at SHIBUYA-AX. Stay tuned for future release updates.

lynch. OHP here

THE ViViD STYLE Airs 4/16

ViViD will appear in their Nico Nico show, "THE ViViD STYLE," on April 16. The show will air at 21:00 JST (convert time here). Registered Nico Nico members may use the time shift function if they are not able to watch the live show.

The ViViD Style to air here

Misaruka New Releases Announced

Starwave Records has announced that Misaruka will be issuing some new releases over the next few months. The band's OHP has not yet been updated with news, but the labels Darkest Labyrinth web shop has listed the band's first full album, "Episodes-Merrow," as being released on April 2. They have also listed that the band will be releasing their first MV collection titled "-Animus-" on May 7. They are not listed, but handbill flyers from the label indicate that fans can also expect a live DVD release in June and a mini album release in July. Stay tuned for more details when they are released. "Episodes-Merrow" is now available to download through iTunes stores. Check your local online store for availability.

Misaruka product details on Darkest Labyrinth web shop site here

Calmando Qual New Mini Album Release 4/23

Calmando Qual will release a new mini album on April 23. The new album will be titled "Zetsubou no Gosenfu," and it will include a seven-song track CD and a DVD. Don't miss the 31 second video spot for the album currently featured on the band's OHP.

Calmando Qual OHP here
"Zetsubou no Gosenfu" on Darkest Labyrinth web shop here

D.I.D. New Single Release 6/25

D.I.D. have announced that they will release a new single on June 25. The new single will be titled "Fatal Error Race," and the music arrangement will be done by PABLO of Pay money To my Pain.

D.I.D. OHP here

DIV New Single & Video Preview

DIV have announced that they will be releasing a new single on May 7. The new single will be titled "Hyouryuu Kanojo," and it will be released in two types. Danger Crue Records has also uploaded a 2:25 short version PV sample for the title track to its official YouTube channel.

DIV OHP here
"Hyouryuu Kanojo" short PV on YouTube here

Kra Mini Album Promotional Videos on YouTube

PS Company has uploaded two new promotional videos for Kra to its official YouTube channel. The new videos include a short 31 second and a longer 1:59 minute sample of the song titled "Hohoemi no Souretsu-sha" from the band's upcoming mini album release. That album titled "Satahinato" will be released on April 23.

Short version video on YouTube here
Longer version video on YouTube here

Loud Grape First Single Release 5/7

Loud Grape have announced that they will release their first single on May 7. The new single will be titled "one and only," and it will include three song tracks. Don't miss the sample video spot available on the band's OHP.

Loud Grape OHP here

MUCC New Single Release 5/28

MUCC have announced that they will be releasing a new single on May 28. The new single will be titled "ENDER ENDER," and it will be released in two types. Check the band's OHP for track listings.

MUCC OHP here

SCREW Comment Video on YouTube

Vif Music has uploaded a new comment from SCREW to its official YouTube channel. The 3:50 minute video features the band talking about their upcoming "FUGLY" single release on April 23, and upcoming tour on April 20.

SCREW Comment on YouTube 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- (April 7, 2014)
#11  Reverb/ Kuroyume
#21  Kimi ga Inai, Ano Hi kara.../ Acid Black Cherry
#41  Bakane./ Lycaon
#43  Cynical Wa-aru~This is monster world~/ Black Gene for the Next Scene

CD Album -Weekly Ranking- (April 7, 2014)
#41   ELECTRIC ROMANCE/ Anli Pollicino

CD Indies Single -Weekly Ranking- (March 31, 2014)
#1   Hone/ BugLug
#3   RAVEN/ MEJIBRAY
#19 Life iz addition (10+1)/ xTRIPx
  
CD Indies Album -Weekly Ranking- (March 31, 2013)
#1   dark/ Moran

 ORICON STYLE Rankings here

Synk;yet News & Releases

Good news for Synk;yet fans. Bassist Shiori recently paused band activities so he could be treated for Nodular Sclerosis Hodgkin lymphoma, a common subtype of Hodgkin lymphoma cancer. It has now been announced that as of March 28, the musician is expected to recover and will resume band activities by May 4. Before that time, he will need to undergo a series of radiation therapy treatments, and he will continue regular checkups afterward for signs of relapse. With modern therapy, treatment success for this type of cancer is high.

The band has also announced that they will be planning two new upcoming releases. In April, they will release a new single titled "Silent Prayer." Later in August, they will release a new full album titled "the Graceful Savior."

Synk;yet OHP here


Editor's Note:  As someone who cares deeply for a cancer survivor and knows several others, I know that positive thoughts and well-wishes are a crucial part of successful radiation therapy. It's tiring and stressful to say the least. I'm sure he'd appreciate all the support he can get. You can read more about Nodular Sclerosis Hodgkin lymphoma here.

LUNA SEA Two New Album Releases 5/28

In celebration of their 25th anniversary, LUNA SEA has announced that they will be releasing two new albums on May 28. The two new releases will be titled "NEVER SOLD OUT 2" and "LUNA SEA 25th Anniversary Ultimate Best -THE ONE-," and they can be purchased separately or as part of a special boxed set. Each release follows a different period from the life of the band. Details are also available in English on the band's OHP.

LUNA SEA OHP here