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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.

Hit Songs and Masterpieces That Opened the Door to 1990s Visual Kei (11–20)

gloriousGLAY

Many people have probably thought, “I’ve heard that!” when the impressive guitar intro plays.

It continues to be a timeless hit even now.

GLAY has lots of catchy songs among visual kei bands, and they’re a group I’d love people who aren’t into super heavy, hard-hitting tracks to try.

This song is fresh and bright, overflowing with hope.

It makes you feel positive.

It’s very comfortable to listen to and, in a good way, not overly quirky.

It’s nice because it feels like something anyone can enjoy!

konii
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BelieveD-SHADE

Within the history of visual kei rock, there have been bands that played straightforward beat rock clearly influenced by BOØWY.

Among such songs, one of the most representative is D-SHADE’s 1998 major-label debut track, “BELIEVE.” Although the band never enjoyed a major hit, their stable ensemble—premised on the assumption that the musicians were highly skilled—undoubtedly fed into the lineage of later visual kei bands that captivate listeners with technical performances.

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EndorphinsPIERROT

From the late 1990s to the early 2000s, PIERROT was the band that split popularity with DIR EN GREY.

They had already fully established their identity in their indie days, and by the time of this track from the 1997 mini-album “CELLULOID,” their ominous worldview—crafted through the combination of eerie guitar riffs and synthesizers—was complete.

Owing to its strong popularity, it was re-recorded in 2003 and released as their 14th major-label single.

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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.

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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.

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