A collection of hit songs and classics that opened the door to 1990s Visual Kei
The visual kei rock scene is buzzing with many up-and-coming bands, but there’s no doubt its peak boom was in the 1990s.
It’s true that X (X JAPAN) laid the groundwork, LUNA SEA presented one vision of completion, and many subsequent bands followed.
At the same time, distinctive acts also thrived—such as BUCK-TICK, rooted in gothic rock, and the uniquely evolved “Nagoya-kei.”
Let’s take a look at some classic songs from 1990s visual kei rock!
We’ve also included early masterpieces from bands that are still popular today.
- A classic masterpiece of visual kei. A staple and popular song representing V-kei rock.
- Debut song of a 90s visual kei band
- [J-Rock] Timeless masterpieces that colored the 1990s. Nostalgic hit songs.
- [Neo-Visual Kei] A roundup of popular songs by V-kei bands from the 2000s
- Debut song of an 80s visual-kei band
- [BUCK-TICK Masterpieces] Popular Songs by the Legendary Band with an Overwhelming Presence
- 1990s Male Singer-Songwriters: Popular Song Rankings [2026]
- The Aesthetics of Darkness: An Introduction to Gothic Rock — Notable Bands
- [1998 Japanese Hit Songs] A roundup of timeless classics that still live on in people’s memories!
- Representative bands of the Nagoya-kei scene in 90s Visual Kei
- Iconic ballads of 90s J-pop: nostalgic mega-hits and fan favorites
- Masterpieces and popular songs by DIR EN GREY
- Anime songs that were hits in the 1990s. Recommended masterpieces and popular tracks.
Hit Songs and Masterpieces That Opened the Door to 1990s Visual Kei (11–20)
Portrait in GlassLaputa
Compared to Tokyo’s visual kei rock scene, bands with a distinctive darkness—exemplified by Kuroyume—emerged from Nagoya and came to be called the “Nagoya-kei.” One of the bands representing this Nagoya-kei, Laputa, made their major-label debut with the single “Garasu no Shouzou” (Portrait in Glass).
Its rhythm and melodies, marked by unique accents, may feel fresh even to younger listeners.
You could say this one track encapsulates their individuality, which brilliantly balances a mournful tonal palette with the emblematic intensity of visual kei rock of the time.
I’llDIR EN GREY
DIR EN GREY, now a rock band of global renown.
They’re far beyond what can be summed up by the term “visual kei,” so for those who don’t know their indie era, this track may feel fresh.
Released in 1998 as their second indie single, “-I’ll-” features a song structure reminiscent of classic V-kei rock, yet you can already sense the individuality that would later explode—in the division of roles between the guitars and the restless bass lines.
The vocal performance, which strongly evokes Kuroyume’s influence, now feels refreshing in its own right when you look back at it.
boykuroyume
Haven’t we all felt the urge to rebel against society’s stifling rules and a world full of pretense? In this song by Kuroyume, a driving rock number, a boy flips off that false paradise and believes in nothing but defiance.
Kiyoharu’s aggressive vocals lay bare the agony of struggling against the world’s absurdities with painful realism.
Released as a single in November 1997, it was featured in the Daihatsu “MOVE aerodown CUSTOM” commercial and reached No.
3 on the Oricon charts.
On the classic album CORKSCREW, it appears in an even more aggressive mix.
When you want to break through the status quo, this is a track that will surely push you forward.
Chaotic Princesskamaitachi
Formed in Kyoto in 1985, they produced numerous classic songs, including anime tie-ins, but sadly disbanded in 1991.
Their music is characterized by high-speed tempos and the vocalist’s use of two distinct voice tones.
They resumed activities in 2015.
CLOCK STRIKES TENLADIES ROOM
Known for their extreme performances and provocative lyrics, LADIES ROOM pack this work with a bittersweet yet glamorous allure.
Opening with beautiful arpeggios, the song seems to capture that fleeting rush and faint loneliness just before the party ends.
The unique mood that comes right as the clock hands advance and the magic is about to fade resonates in a catchy hard-rock sound.
This track was LADIES ROOM’s major-label debut single, released in May 1991, and is also included on the album Made in SEX.
Their momentum is evident from the fact that in 1993 they topped the charts with a live video release.
It’s a song that stays close to your heart when you want to linger in the afterglow of a glittering night.
autism -autistic spectrum disorder-kuroyume
This song distills the painfully beautiful worldview unleashed by early Kuroyume as they crashed into the mainstream.
Included on the album “Mayoreru Yuritachi — Romance of Scarlet,” released in March 1994, it portrays the protagonist’s anguished cries as they lose their sense of self and become isolated from society.
The sensation of the self disintegrating and the hopeless loneliness of being understood by no one cut sharply into the listener’s heart.
The dark, gothic sound woven by the heavy, rolling bassline and metallic guitars is also irresistible.
Why not give it a listen on a night when you’re burdened by crushing stagnation and pent-up emotions, and want to quietly face the darkness within yourself?
Hit Songs and Masterpieces That Opened the Door to 1990s Visual Kei (21–30)
Rusty NailX JAPAN
Among metal bands in the J-pop scene, X JAPAN—a five-member rock band widely recognized not only in Japan but around the world—is especially renowned.
This is their 10th single.
Chosen as the theme song for the TV drama “Kimi ga Mienai” (“I Can’t See You”), the track layers a harpsichord’s otherworldly opening with a driving rock sound, instantly raising the excitement.
Its one-of-a-kind fusion of intense metal and beautiful melody carries an enduring appeal that transcends time.
A classical-tinged rock tune, it stands as a symbol of the 1990s, often regarded as the golden era of visual kei bands.
