vistlip Comment on YouTube

Vif Music has added a new video featuring vistlip to its official YouTube channel. The new video features drummer Tohya, vocalist Tomo, and guitarist Umi commenting about their 10th anniversary, live events, and answering the question of what they want to do in 2018.

vistlip comment on YouTube here

Vivarush New Videos on YouTube

Kerberos Entertainment has added three new videos for Vivarush to its official YouTube channel. The new videos feature band members demonstrating furitsuke choreography for the songs "Tenshi to Akuma no Xmas," "Kuwazu Kirai.," and "Prison Lab."

"Tenshi to Akuma no Xmas" furi on YouTube here
"Kuwazu Kirai." furi on YouTube here 
"Prison Lab" furi on YouTube here

DADAROMA New Mini Album Release 3/7/18

DADAROMA has announced that they will release a new mini album on March 7, 2018. The new CD will be titled "This is 'LIVE'," and it will be released in two types. Track details are available on the band's OHP.

DADAROMA OHP here

Lill New DVD Release 2/28/18

Lill has announced that they will release a new DVD on February 28, 2018. The new DVD will be titled "Landmarks," and it will include MVs and bonus footage for six of the duo's songs. Track details are on their OHP.

Lill OHP here

vistlip New Video on YouTube

Vif Music has added a new video featuring members of vistlip to its official YouTube channel. The video includes guitarist Yuh and bassist Rui commenting about their 10th anniversary and answering questions about what they want to try in 2018.

vistlip comment on YouTube here

LONDBOY New DVD Release 2/28/18

LONDBOY held their final live on October 28, and now they have announced that they will release a new DVD of that live show on February 28, 2018. The video will be titled "LAST ONEMAN LIVE DVD -2017.10.28 TSUTAYA O-WEST- Miyakowasure."

LONDBOY OHP here

the Raid. New Single Release 4/18/17

the Raid. has announced that they will release their third "new system" single on April 18, 2018. The new single will be titled "Kagiana," and it will be released in five types. No specific details are available yet.

the Raid. OHP here

DAMY New Single Release 4/4/18

DAMY will be releasing a new single on April 4, 2018. The new single will be titled "Tomodachi Gokko," and it will be released in two types. Track details are available on the band's OHP.

DAMY 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- (January 1, 2018)
NO LISTINGS
         
CD Album -Weekly Ranking- (January 1, 2018)
#4   LUV/ LUNA SEA
#19 Kiseki Best Collection/ Wagakki Band

CD Indies Single -Weekly Ranking- (December 25, 2017)
#4   Doku Mawaru/ R-Shitei
#7   Greed Prince/ Smileberry
#10 Uranometoria/ Grimoire
#14 Kuro no Reirou/ Kuro UNiTE
#15 Diamond Dust/ Ramiel
#18 Re:quiem/ DOG inThe PWO
#19 Jyo no Ka/Oborozukiyo/ Kiryu

 CD Indies Album -Weekly Ranking- (December 25, 2017)
#3   Omen/ the Raid.
#4   Nisennana~Nisenjyunana/ Kiryu
#18 We Are/ Aldious

ORICON STYLE Rankings here

umbrella & More Release Collaboration CD

umbrella and More will be teaming up to release a collaboration CD on February 11, 2018. The album will be titled "Ureru Kasa, Mawaru Haguruma," and it will include six song tracks. umbrella published the details on their OHP.

umbrella OHP news here

TRNTY D:CODE New Single Release 1/31/18

New band TRNTY D:CODE will release their first single on January 31, 2018. The new single will be titled "GRAVITY," and it will come out in two types. Track details and sound samples are available on the band's OHP.

TRNTY D:CODE OHP here

A9 New Video on YouTube

A9 has added a new video to their official YouTube channel. The new video features a full-version MV of the new song titled "F+IX=YOU" from their upcoming January 17, 2018 single release. The video was produced by L'Arc~en~Ciel's Ken.

A9 MV on YouTube here

[Editorial] Visual Kei Bands to Watch, Part 2

Part one of this special year-end editorial gave you 10 visual kei band's who I think deserve a little more attention from overseas fans. Here are 10 more bands who are producing good music and promoting their own visual style. Each band name will link you to their OHP, and I have included artist images and links to recent music tracks. I hope you find someone new to enjoy! --SBEEC

11) Develop One's Faculties 

 

Develop One's Faculties started activities in Tokyo in 2014, and they released their first single in December of that year. They've been solidly booked for live shows ever since. The vocalist is the ex-vocalist for Minerva and cocklobin, and he has a unique vocal style that blends range and vibrato for a smooth, dreamy listening experience. The guitar tracks are amazing, and both members have the ability to play outstanding acoustic music on slower tracks. If you're looking for a band who can play both power ballads with emotional lyrics and upbeat guitar-driven feel-good songs, give this band a try. They are currently touring with other bands from this list, Belle and Chanty. DOF will release their second full album, "Bukakkou na Machi to Boku to Kimi," on February 7, 2018.

12) Dezert

 

 DEZERT formed in 2011 and released their first single in March 2012. They haven't really published that many releases compared to other bands who've been around as long, but the music they produce is deep. If you're looking for a band that puts internal pain and struggles to music, this is the band for you. Their most recent MV release sounds like a pop ballad, but the lyrics are still about internal struggles. The bass and drums in their music do a great job of propagating that atmosphere of dark undercurrent, even when the guitar is driving the melody home. The vocalist is the perfect match of music to vocal talent because his quiet, liquid voice can draw you in with smooth melody and then tear you apart with screams. Their videos are usually dark, both in monochrome colors and smoky tunnels and in tone, and they put human vices right out there for everyone to see. Their most recent single, "Bokusatsu Hero," was just released on October 25, 2017.

13) Leetspeak monsters

 

Leetspeak monsters is the only high-concept band on my list, not because of their particular visual style, but because of their music. Their concept is that they are four monsters who came from a graveyard and formed a rock band, and they aim to produce theatrical music and videos to give fans wonderful nightmares. Though they've been a band for much longer, I believe they formed this concept in 2016; however, I can't find definitive proof of their exact formation date. The lyrics are about what you'd expect from a monster-themed band--think hyde's HALLOWEEN JUNKY ORCHESTRA--but it's the music quality that's noteworthy. The bass quality is awesome, and the members all gel into some good, solid rock rhythms. The vocalist's mix of English and Japanese is also incredible... some of the best I've heard in visual music. His pronunciation is spot-on. The music is fun, catchy, and does indeed promote the theatrical quality music they aim to produce. If they ever ditch the monster concept, I think they'd do equally well at basic rock. Their most recent release was a mini album titled "Storyteller in the Strange Night," released in September 2017.

14) REIGN

 

REIGN started activity in 2013 and released their first single in 2014. They started strong, releasing several singles in 2014 and 2015, before several members left and forced them to slow. A new member joined, and they picked up steam again in 2016. This band has an interesting style of frenzied lyrics and layered group vocals backed by theatrical visuals. They also use driving instrumentals to keep the energy going. I also like in particular that they add in slow breaks that include acoustic guitar tracks. They balance the fast and slow pace well. Their most recent release was a single titled "CRIMSON" that came out on September 20, 2017.

15) Rides In ReVellion

 

Rides In ReVellion is a band in Osaka that formed around 2015 and is working with V Star Promotion to get their music out there to a wider audience. They played overseas for the first time at Anime USA in 2016. They call their music style "HARMONIZED TIME PARADOX," where they mix elements of past visual kei with modern sounds. They mix strong melodies and digital effects to produce interesting songs that feel old and new at the same time. The vocalist has a soothing, mellow tone that matches the style perfectly. Their look is old-school vk, with big hair and leather. They haven't produced many single releases yet, but keep your eyes on them for future tracks. Their most recent release was a mini album titled "THE LIGHT" that came out on October 4.

16) Shellmy

Shellmy is a band that formed in 2013 and started strong with a single titled "Maverick.exe," but like REIGN, they lost some members and entered a hiatus period in 2016. They came back slowly, with a newly stylized name, darker concept, and a completely reset discography. Now their music is hard to come by, but it's worth hunting down for the quality. They tend to favor darker songs about troubled youth, and their videos features cutaways between actors and the band or special effects and the band that fit the pace and tone of the song. The vocalist has a deep voice, and the songs often feature rapid-fire lyrics and a kind of spoken-word cross between rap and monologue that makes you feel like he is personally confiding his thoughts to fans. The bass tracks in their songs are also fabulous and worth a close listen. Their most recent release was a single titled "Straw Doll" that came out on November 1, 2017.

17) umbrella

 

umbrella is a band from Osaka that is currently working with Danger Crue Records, and they've been around since 2010. They're not a new band, but they don't get nearly enough attention outside the Osaka scene. They have clean, emotional vocals, solid instrumentals, and they can do both ballad and upbeat tracks with equal skill. Their sixth single, "Kan," was just released on October 18, 2017. "Samidare" from 2012 is a particular favorite song of mine.

 

18) Villers la ville

 

Villers la ville is a band currently working the Osaka scene who opened their official website in 2016. Before that, they were playing live house venues in Osaka. They are gaining steam now with two official single releases and a variety of free-distribution live sound source tracks. This band has an old-school visual kei sound with guitar-heavy tracks and rapid-fire drums, but they mix in interesting digital sound effects and vocals that enhance the melody. They often create lyrics that talk about people in pain or people who have loved and lost reaching out in the dark to find light. Of particular note is the vocalist's use of a healthy mix of English-language lyrics. The band's next live show is at Kyoto MUSE HALL on December 26, 2017. Their most recent single release was titled "May cry out" that was released on September 21, 2017.

19) Xaa Xaa

 

XAA XAA is a band that started activities in 2014. This band's vocalist has a deep, impressive voice that is really well suited to emotional lyrics and ballad tracks. He has the ability to add almost whispered spoken tracks and plaintive choruses to any song they do and have it rip your heart out. Their guitar track are also particularly good a enhancing the emotional elements of the songs. Drums and bass are understated, but still impressive. Their most recent release was a single titled "Asagao ga Naiteru" that was released on November 22, 2017.

20) Zon

Zon is currently working with Planet Child Music, and they've been around since 2015. Their style is fast, upbeat rock tunes with really good guitar and bass tracks. Their next release will be their first mini album, "anima," out on February 7, 2018.

HAKUEIMAN, A9, Xaa Xaa, POIDOL Show Airs on 12/26

HAKUEIMAN, A9, Xaa Xaa, and POIDOL will be making guest appearances on a Nico Nico web show on December 26. The "Nico Viju" show will air at 19:00 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.

Nico Viju airs here

Neverland New Album Update

Earlier this year Neverland announced that they would release their second full album in April 2018. More details for the new release are now available on the band's OHP. The album will be titled "Nu:world," and it will hit stores on April 25, 2018. It will be released in Adam and Eve versions, but track details for each are still not available.

Neverland OHP here

Develop One's Faculties New Album Release 2/7/18

Develop One's Faculties will release their second full album on February 7, 2018. The new release will be titled "Bukakkou na Machi to Boku to Kimi," but specific details aren't available yet.

Develop One's Faculties OHP here

Golden Bomber New Album Release 1/31/18

Golden Bomber has announced that they will release a new album on January 31, 2018. The new album will be titled "Killer Tune Shika Nee Yo," and it will include 13 song tracks. Details are on the band's OHP.

Golden Bomber details here

TAKE NO BREAK New Album 1/31/2018

TAKE NO BREAK, side project for Nightmare's vocalist Yomi, will be releasing their first full album on January 31, 2018. The new album will be titled "OREmind," and a sound sample trailer for it is available on the group's official YouTube channel. Track details are listed in the video.

TAKE NO BREAK trailer on YouTube here

[Editorial] Visual Kei Bands to Watch, Part 1

I've never done a year-end editorial, but there are several bands this year who I feel deserve a little extra attention. These bands aren't your major-league hitters--not the GazettE or DIR EN GREY. Those bands have found enough fans worldwide who enable them to disperse their new music through major venues. The bands I'm talking about are the up-and-comers of the visual style, the ones still finding new fans and struggling to get their music out there. I've found that these bands are producing consistently good and memorable music and developing unique style, and I'd like to recommend them to visual kei fans. The following are listed in alphabetical order by band, and the band names will link you to their OHPs. I have a lot of bands to recommend, so I intend to break this editorial into two parts. I hope you find someone new to enjoy. --SBEEC

1) Aldious

 

 Aldious is technically a metal band, but I think they also have visual appeal. They started forming in the Osaka scene around 2008, and the members released their debut single in 2009. They formally debuted in 2010. The lineup has changed since formation, but the music quality has only gotten better over time. The power vocals and rapid-fire instrumentals are top notch, which explains why the ladies' new "We Are" mini album found itself at #1 on the Oricon Indies charts in November 2017. Fans can find their newer tracks on iTunes.

2) Anfiel

 

Anfiel formed in Tokyo in 2014, and they've been consistently playing live shows ever since. Their songs feature high, clear vocals, bright, poppy guitars, and interesting bass. They just released their new single "Hikari" on November 8, 2017. Anfiels also has music available on iTunes.

3) ARCHEMI.

 

 ARCHEMI. formed around 2015, and they are currently working with Crow Music. The band's visuals and music provide an interesting mix of traditional Japanese styles with eerie vocals and screams, heavy strings, and racing drums. They also have a fabulous talent for using repetitive effects, background vocals and chants, and echoes that invoke a kind of trance state when you listen. It's a very hypnotic experience. Fans of old Black Gene for the Next Scene music might also like ARCHEMI. The band just released their fourth single on December 6, 2017.

4) Arlequin

The band has been around since 2013, and they call their style "next generation Nagoya kei." Recently they're working with Goemon Records. They've gained steam this year as they tour more major venues with bands like Grieva. Their performances of fan-favorite "Zou" always get things jumping during live shows. Driving, eerie vocals and fast drums up the ante on this band's songs. Their most recent release is their 11th single, "puzzle," out on September 6, 2017. You can find that single and more on iTunes.

5) ART ELICIA

ART ELICIA is an indie band from Osaka that opened their website and released their first single in 2016. They have been working with the V STAR PROMOTION company to get their music out there to a wider audience, but they've released only three singles to date. The latest single, "Madara," was released on October 11, 2017. They have nice layers of sound with both growling screams and melodic vocals. The bass tracks are really nice in their songs. It's pretty polished for a young band.

6) Belle

Belle has been around since 2014, but they don't seem to get much publicity outside Japan. Even though they often make the Oricon Indies chart with their new releases, their music doesn't seem to be that well known. Their music often features deep, melodic vocals, smooth, polished guitar, and nice, mellow rhythm. Their second album, titled "JUKE BOX," will be released on January 17, 2018. Right now they are touring with the next band on the list.

 

 7) CHANTY

 

 CHANTY has been around since 2013, and despite a recent shake up with a guitarist getting arrested and booted from the band, they are still touring and producing quality music. Fans of more melodic, airish music will enjoy CHANTY's sound. The music and vocals are light and bright, but the lyrics and messages are heavy hitting. They will release their second full album sometime in 2018. Current music is available on iTunes.

8) CLØWD

 

 CLØWD made their debut in 2014 in Tokyo, and they are currently working with Danger Crue Records. This is another band who knows how to layer sound and effect for maximum impact, and they don't stick to one sound or style. If you like surprises and variety, you may like this band. They will release a venue-limited single titled "21g" on January 8, 2018. They also have music available on iTunes.

9) Codomo Dragon

Codomo Dragon debuted in 2010, and they are currently working with B.P.Records. It may sound strange to say, but one of this band's great qualities is that they do intros and instrumental solos well. They aren't throwaway riffs, but rather integral parts of the songs. Vocals are also fabulous, often with layers of melody and screams on top of hypnotic chanting as background vocals. Rapid and driving drums are something to notice during more upbeat songs. They also tend to use fading and echoes to emphasize certain portions of their tracks. Songs about rotten worlds never sounded so interesting or intriguing. The band's 12th single, "DIRTY x DIRTY," was just released on November 15, 2017.

10) DAMY

 

DAMY has been around since 2013. Their most recent single, "chilled.," just debuted at #14 on the Oricon Indies weekly chart. The band is relatively new on my radar, but the thing I notice most is the amazing rhythm coming from the bass. This is another band who knows how to use sound effects to impact the listener. The guitarists also do a great job playing off one another, especially on fast-paced songs. Vocals also have great range, with the vocalist doing deep, guttural growls and falsetto equally well.

Did you find someone new to enjoy? I hope you did. If you liked this segment, please stay tuned for part 2, coming soon.

Belle, Chanty, Develop One's Faculties Comments on YouTube

ViSULOG has added three new comments featuring members of Belle, Chanty, and Develop One's Faculties to its official YouTube channel. Calling themselves BCD, the three bands have been touring together and will soon be doing their tour final show.

Belle comment on YouTube here
Chanty comment on YouTube here
Develop One's Faculties comment on YouTube here

Anli Pollicino New Videos on YouTube

Zany Zap has added two new videos featuring Anli Pollicino to its official YouTube channel. The new uploads include a net-version MV for the song "Game of Love" and a live lyric version of "Slave Machine."

"Game of Love" on YouTube here
"Slave Machine" 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- (December 25, 2017)
#24 Doku Mawaru/ R-Shitei
#37 WINTERDELICS.EP/ GLAY
#41 Uretakute/ Jin-Machine
         
CD Album -Weekly Ranking- (December 25, 2017)
#19 Kiseki Best Collection/ Wagakki Band
#27 Omen/ the Raid.
#50 Nisennana~Nisenjyunana/ Kiryu

CD Indies Single -Weekly Ranking- (December 18, 2017)
#11 LIMIT/ LSN
#14 chilled./ DAMY

 CD Indies Album -Weekly Ranking- (December 18, 2017)
#5   We Are/ Aldious
#8   TRIBUTE OF MUCC/ Various
#16 VERSUS/ DIAURA

ORICON STYLE Rankings here

Jin-Machine Show Airs 12/21

Jin-Machine will be featured in a live broadcast on the Nico Nico website on December 21st. The show titled "'Uretakute' Release Commemoration Free Event 'Heimin vs Kokumin'" will begin broadcasting at 19:30 JST (Convert time here). Timeshifting is available for registered Nico Nico website users.

Jin-Machine on Nico Nico here

Angelo Live Broadcast Airs 1/3/18

Angelo will be featured in a live broadcast on the Nico Nico website on January 3, 2018. The show titled "Angelo 11th Anniversary 'HETERODOXY'" will begin broadcasting at 21:00 JST (Convert time here). Timeshifting is available for registered Nico Nico website users.

Angelo on Nico Nico here

RAZOR New Comment on YouTube

ViSULOG has added a new comment for RAZOR to its official YouTube channel. The new video features members talking about the new "the CORE" mini album release and live show information.

RAZOR comment on YouTube here

Anfiel New Comment on YouTube

ViSULOG has added a new video featuring Anfiel to its official YouTube channel. The new upload includes members talking about their upcoming tour and third anniversary.

Anfiel on YouTube here

the Raid. New Comment on YouTube

ViSULOG has added a new video featuring the Raid. to its official YouTube channel. The new upload includes band members discussing their oneman tour and their new single release.

the Raid. Comment on YouTube here

the Raid. New Video on YouTube

the Raid. has added a new video to their official YouTube channel. The video features the third edition of "Bo_ya Sanpo" with Tenshi, where the two walk through Sanrio Puroland.

Bo_ya Sanpo volume 3 on YouTube here

CLØWD New Release Spot

Danger Crue Records has added a new PV for CLØWD to its official YouTube channel. The new video features the song titled "21g" from the band's upcoming 3rd anniversary limited single release of the same title. Track details for that release--out on January 8--are in the videos description area.

CLØWD video on YouTube here

heidi. New Single Release 1/24/18

heidi. has announced that they will release a new single on January 24, 2018. The new single will be titled "Ray," and it will be released in two types. Track details are available on the band's OHP.

heidi. OHP here

Belle New Album Release 1/17/18

Belle has announced that they will release their second full album on January 17, 2018. The new release will be titled "JUKE BOX," but no other specific details have been released yet.

Belle OHP here

BUCK-TICK New Single Release 2/21/18

BUCK-TICK has announced that they will release a new single on February 21, 2018. The new single will be titled "Moon Sayonara wo Oshiete," and it will be the second single release from their debut 30th anniversary project. This singe will be released in three types. Details are available on the band's special release website.

BUCK-TICK single release page here

Kiryu New Live DVD & Video on YouTube

Kiryu will be releasing a new live DVD on January 10, 2018. The B.P. Records official YouTube channel now features a live DVD video spot for the release. The clip includes stage and offshoot footage.

Kiryu DVD release spot on YouTube here

the Raid. New Furitsuke Video on YouTube

the Raid. has added a new video to their official YouTube channel. The video features members demonstrating furitsuke choreography for the new song titled "Omen."

the Raid. furi on YouTube here

REVINE Announce Plans to Disband

Crow Music issued a statement today regarding REVINE. The statement says that the band plans to dissolve after their live show at Shinsaibashi FANJ-twice on February 2, 2018. They started activities on August 6, 2011, and they thank their fans for supporting them all that time. No specific reason was given for the sudden announcement.

REVINE official Twitter announcement here

[ORICON RANKING] Visual Kei Bands

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

CD SINGLE -Weekly Ranking- (December 18, 2017)
#24 Timer/ vistlip
#28 WINTERDELICS.EP/ GLAY
         
CD Album -Weekly Ranking- (December 18, 2017)
#9   Kiseki Best Collection/ Wagakki Band

CD Indies Single -Weekly Ranking- (December 11, 2017)
#3   RIN/ Gremlins
#8   Yanya Yanya Night ~Odoroyo Tokyo~/ Golden Bomber
#9   ANTHEM/ Royz
#12 Yanya Yanya Night ~Odoroyo Hokkaido~/ Golden Bomber
#14 Yanya Yanya Night ~Odoroyo Osaka~/ Golden Bomber
#16 Yanya Yanya Night ~Odoroyo Fukuoka~/ Golden Bomber
#17 Stargazer/ JAKIGAN MEISTER
#18 Jogen no Tsuki no Orchestra-Stella Note Magic-/ THE MICRO HEAD 4N'S
#19 Yanya Yanya Night ~Odoroyo Kanagawa~/ Golden Bomber

 CD Indies Album -Weekly Ranking- (December 11, 2017)
#1   We Are/ Aldious
#2   VERSUS/ DIAURA
#5   TRIBUTE OF MUCC/ Various
#12 TO THE GALAXY/ defspiral

ORICON STYLE Rankings here

Far East Dizain Comment on YouTube

Vif Music has added a new comment video featuring Far East Dizain to its official YouTube channel. The new video includes members talking about their new single, "Beyond These Walls," the related PV, and the accompanying songs.

Far East Dizain comment on YouTube here

New Videos for UNiTE on YouTube

Danger Crue Records has added two new videos for UNiTE to their official YouTube channel. The new videos include MVs for the songs from the "Kuro no Reirou" single and a promotional spot for the band's seventh anniversary oneman at Zepp DiverCity Tokyo on March 29, 2018.

Black UNiTE video on YouTube here
Oneman live spot on YouTube here

DAMY Comment Video on YouTube

ViSULOG has added a new comment video featuring DAMY to its official YouTube channel. The video includes members talking about their recent "chilled." single release and upcoming live show dates.

DAMY on YouTube here

i.Rias New Single Release 2/7/2018

i.Rias has announced that they will release a new single on February 7, 2018. The new single will be titled "Marry x Marry," and it will be released in two types. Track details and an MV spot are available on the Planet Child Music official YouTube channel.

i.Rias single spot on YouTube here

Azero New Live Video on YouTube

Azero added a new live stage performance clip to their official YouTube channel. The video features the band's performance of "Kore zo Otoko no Matsuri" from their October 8th oneman live at Ikebukuro EDGE.

Azero live clip on YouTube here

Sibilebashir New Album Release 1/1/2018

Sibilebashir has announced that they will release a new best album on January 1, 2018. The new release will be titled "Sibilebashir Greatest Hits," and it will be issued as a four-disc set with bonus PVs. The band has announced that their last live will be at Shinjuku BLAZE on March 29, 2018.

Sibilebashir OHP here

the Raid. New Furitsuke Video on YouTube

the Raid. has added a new video to their official YouTube channel. The video features band members demonstrating furitsuke choreography for the song titled "Fukofuku Ron."

the Raid. video on YouTube here

Vivarush New Video on YouTube

Kerberos Entertainment has added a new video for Vivarush to its official YouTube channel. The video features members and band girls in another game of tag in Osaka's Amerikamura.

Viva Rush on YouTube here

Azero New Live Video Clip on YouTube

Azero added a new live stage performance clip to their official YouTube channel. The video features the band's performance of "Kamatte Piyo Piyo" from their October 8th oneman live at Ikebukuro EDGE.

Azero live clip on YouTube here

Alphalia New Single Release 1/10/2018

Alphalia has announced that they will release their first single on January 10, 2018. The new single will be titled "Amaryllis," and it will be released in two types. Track details and a PV spot are available from the Planet Child Music's official YouTube channel.

Alphalia release spot on YouTube here

Golden Bomber New Video on YouTube

Zany Zap has added a new video featuring Golden Bomber to its official YouTube channel. The new video is titled "Nakedness hurts! Brief Survival Game 'Digest Version'" and includes members participating in a survival game challenge while wearing only briefs and Go-pro gear.

Golden Bomber on YouTube here

the Raid. New Video on YouTube

the Raid. has added a new video to their official YouTube channel. The video features bo-ya and Tenshi walking through Sanrio Pruoland.

the Raid. video on YouTube here

CLØWD New Video on YouTube

Danger Crue Records has added a new video for CLØWD to its official YouTube channel. The new video features the eighth episode of a talk series for the band titled "CLØWD Zukan." This episode features members handling snakes.

 CLØWD video on YouTube here

[ORICON RANKING] Visual Kei Bands

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

CD SINGLE -Weekly Ranking- (December 11, 2017)
#30 WINTERDELICS.EP/ GLAY
         
CD Album -Weekly Ranking- (December 11, 2017)
#3   Kiseki Best Collection/ Wagakki Band
#11 We Are/ Aldious
#23 ONENESS M/ SUGIZO
#30 VERSUS/ DIAURA

CD Indies Single -Weekly Ranking- (December 4, 2017)
#4   R-P-S/ jealkb
#5   Stargazer/ JAKIGAN MEISTER
#6   Jogen no Tsuki no Orchestra-Stella Note Magic-/ THE MICRO HEAD 4N'S
#9   Asagao ga Naiteru/ XAA XAA
#13 DIRTY X DIRTY/ Codomo Dragon
#14 Mikuzu to Narite/ Yusai

 CD Indies Album -Weekly Ranking- (December 4, 2017)
#11 the CORE/ RAZOR

ORICON STYLE Rankings here

SHIN Live DVD Release Spot on YouTube

Zany Zap has added a new video featuring SHIN to its official YouTube channel. The new upload includes live stage footage from the vocalist's upcoming "SHIN LIVE TOUR 2017 'Good Morning Dreamer' at Ebisu LIQUIDROOM," out on December 24.

SHIN DVD Trailer on YouTube here

the Raid. New Video on YouTube

the Raid. has added a new video to their official YouTube channel. The new video features members talking about their upcoming mini album release on December 13 and demonstrating furitsuke for the song "Seisan Kanojo."

the Raid. furitsuke on YouTube here

Mikansei Alice Announces Two Consecutive Months of Releases

Mikansei Alice has announced that they will be releasing two consecutive months of venue-limited singles starting in December. On December 15th, the band will release "Anata no Omocha." On January 7, they will release a second single titled "Kabukichou Midnight."

Mikansei Alice OHP here

BLESS THIS MESS New Album Release 12/20

BLESS THIS MESS will release their first album on December 20. The album will be titled "XIALL RAIN," and it will include 10 song tracks. Details are available on the band's OHP.

BLESS THIS MESS OHP here

IGGY New Release 1/24/2018

IGGY has announced that they will be releasing their third mini album on January 24, 2018. The new release will be titled "CINEMA," and it will come out in one type. Track details aren't available.

IGGY OHP here

LIRAIZO New Single Release 1/10/2018

LIRAIZO has announced that they will release a new double-A single on January 10, 2018. The new release will be titled, "Shishi no Bansan," and it will include two song tracks. Details are available on the band's OHP.

LIRAIZO OHP here

Chanty Video on YouTube

Chanty has added a new video to their official YouTube channel. The new upload features a live stage footage trailer from the band's 4th anniversary "Chanty no Sekai he Youkoso" live DVD.

Chanty live DVD trailer on YouTube here

MORRIGAN New Release Trailer on YouTube

MORRIGAN has added a new video to their official YouTube channel. The new video features sound samples for the tracks on their upcoming second full-album release, "THE CORPSE MANSION." That album hits stores on December 6.

MORRIGAN trailer on YouTube here

ROCK AND READ 075 Lineup Announced

Music magazine ROCK AND READ has announced the list of artists who will be featured in volume 075, due to hit stores December 25. The front cover artist for this issue will be Tatsurou (MUCC). Other featured artists will be: Show (A9), RUKA (LSN), Tadashi Hasegawa (Plastic Tree), Giru (Angelo), Asanao (lynch.), Nanahoshi (Kiryu), Nao (Arlequin), Sacchan (DEZERT), and ASAGI (D).

ROCK AND READ blog here

VAMPS Announces Hiatus

VAMPS has announced via their OHP that they will be temporarily stopping all activity as of December 2017. Due to the band's heavy tour schedule, they say that they have "overheated" and  that they need a break to "cool down." They hope to return when they have had some time to rest. The full statement in Japanese and English are available on the band's OHP.

VAMPS OHP here