A classic masterpiece of visual kei. A staple and popular song representing V-kei rock.
Visual kei rock, ignited by X JAPAN and exploding into a massive boom in the ’90s.
Though it went through a lull, today it has become a firmly established, internationally recognized genre, known abroad simply as “Visual Kei.” Encompassing everything from metal and gothic rock to classical and punk within the “visual kei” package, it enabled a wide range of expression—truly a uniquely Japanese musical genre.
This time, we’ll introduce a selection of iconic songs from visual kei bands that symbolize its history!
- A collection of hit songs and classics that opened the door to 1990s Visual Kei
- [Neo-Visual Kei] A roundup of popular songs by V-kei bands from the 2000s
- [J-Rock] Timeless masterpieces that colored the 1990s. Nostalgic hit songs.
- Masterpieces and popular songs by DIR EN GREY
- [BUCK-TICK Masterpieces] Popular Songs by the Legendary Band with an Overwhelming Presence
- Masterpieces and Popular Songs of X JAPAN
- Debut song of a 90s visual kei band
- Famous and popular songs by MUCC
- Iconic songs by Japanese rock bands from the 2000s [J-Rock]
- Debut song of an 80s visual-kei band
- Classic and hit songs by nostalgic Japanese bands from the 1990s
- Classic Japanese metal songs. Recommended popular tracks.
- The Aesthetics of Darkness: An Introduction to Gothic Rock — Notable Bands
Masterpieces of Visual Kei: Classic and popular V-Kei rock songs (71–80)
SUNRIZE SMILE ~Smiles Are Sparkling Bright~DOG in the Parareruwarudo Ōkesutora
All the members take part in the vocals, and in the music video they dance like a boy band and get along cheerfully.
It’s easy to listen to even for those who aren’t fond of visual kei, and I think being enjoyable to watch is one of the strengths of this song.
Hello my CloneTHE MICRO HEAD 4N’S
A band formed by former members of FANATIC CRISIS and D’espairsRay that also performs internationally.
This song is sung by the original vocalist, Ricky, whose powerful projection and wide vocal range are well renowned.
It’s a magnificent, moving track brimming with dynamism.
BLOODDEATHGAZE
DEATHGAZE, formed in Nagoya in 2003, is a band with a distinctive sound that pairs down-tuned, heavy, hard tracks with visual kei-style vocals.
This song is an early work that carries a slightly B-movie vibe, but it’s a hidden gem that conveys a raw, unpolished energy.
THE LAST SONGX JAPAN
An epic symphonic ballad over 11 minutes long that epitomizes the band’s overwhelmingly dramatic history.
Crafted by YOSHIKI, the piece weaves delicate piano melodies with weighty orchestration, while Toshl’s vocals—like a cry from the soul—strike straight to the heart.
The lyrics, shifting between English and Japanese, seem to portray the unbearable pain and regret at the moment of parting, along with the protagonist’s self-questioning.
Although it was released in March 1998 as the band’s final single following their breakup, it was performed as the opening song at their reunion concert in March 2008—an element that deepens the song’s narrative quality.
It’s the perfect track for nights when you want to be swept away by the band’s harrowing journey and the maelstrom of emotions poured into it.
ivory treeLa’cryma Christi
This is La’cryma Christi’s major-label debut single, marked by its flowing twin-guitar lines and melodies that evoke the feeling of traveling through a distant, foreign land.
Within a delicately beautiful world, as if carved from ivory, it seems to sing of tenderness toward things that fade away.
Many listeners likely felt their hearts burn at the story spun by TAKA’s clear, high-toned vocals.
Released in May 1997, the song was also used as the ending theme for the TV program “Susume! Denpa Shonen.” Its sound balances progressive development with pop sensibilities, making it perfect for nights when you want to immerse yourself in a story.
Why not surrender yourself to this meticulously constructed sonic world?