Visual Kei or Visual Rock is a genre of rock music in Japan. A Visual band will usually have a set concept or theme that influences their music style, lyrics, and mode of dress.
There are many sub-genres of visual kei including oshare kei , kote kei, koteose kei, soft visual kei, and many more.
There are many sub-genres of visual kei including oshare kei , kote kei, koteose kei, soft visual kei, and many more.
by Mahiro February 24, 2008
Visual Kei is a sub-genre of Japanese Music that focuses on self-expression, most Visual Kei, bands do not sound the same, as that statement could be used for Rap as well, but Rap fan will argue that it takes an ear, same applies to Visual Kei. The Key of Visual Kei is too express a message and bring a twist on it. Not all of VK fans are female and only care about looks. The GazettE, one particular VK band has amazingly metaphorical lyrics (if translated). But like all band VK bands talk about a multitude of different themes and should not be dissed as such. Also the 'cross-dressing' comes from their culture which performed (and still does) Kabuki, a form of theatre where all actors are male, and so if the bands theme requires females, cross-dressing occurs. An example of this is Versailles -Philharmonic Quintet- whose theme revolves around two waring noble clan set in pre-revolutionary France, with a style similar to speed-metal.
by The GazettE Analyst March 19, 2011
Refers to Japanese bands with an image in between glamorous and dark. While not truly goth in a western sense (e.i. Bauhaus, Sisters of Mercy), they do owe a lot to glam rock greats, David Bowie and T-Rex (as does Goth Rock.)
by nanashi May 23, 2005
Visual Kei is a fashion NOT a musical genre, any band of any genre can take on this styal and be called as such. However, the majority of bands who dress VK are of the Rock or experimental origin. Visual kei usualy has vibrent colors, feathers, and basically attention drawing features, this however is not true everytime, some VK is more subtle and sence VK is just visual fashion there really isn't a true deffinition. It evovles all the time and differs from band to band and person to person. Just look at all of VK's subgenres, even the subgenres have subgenres. Vk bands tend to be all male, however, if you no where to look you can find female ones to like Exist+Trace.
Visual Kei band/artist inculde Malice Mizer, Girugamesh, Mucc, The GazettE, X Japan (considered by some the father of VK), Miyavi, Gackt, Exist+Trace, Dir en Gray, and so on.
by RinChan December 20, 2008
Johnny: Hey want to listen to my Mötley Crüe CD?
Weeboo Kid: No that shit isn't kūru. Let's listen to Penicillin, Their music is so subarashii!
Johnny: Okay? That's Glam?
Weeboo Kid: No, It's Visual Kei!
Johnny: What's the difference?
Weeboo Kid: Ummm?
Johnny: Idiot.
Weeboo Kid: No that shit isn't kūru. Let's listen to Penicillin, Their music is so subarashii!
Johnny: Okay? That's Glam?
Weeboo Kid: No, It's Visual Kei!
Johnny: What's the difference?
Weeboo Kid: Ummm?
Johnny: Idiot.
by Bill the Patgoat February 15, 2011
Brand of Japanese rock music where band members (mostly men) wear elaborate make up and stage costumes, much of the time crossdressing. The "kei" is japanese for style of type, meaning "visual style music" The music ranges from 80's-esque goth rock, to heavy metal to punk and usually some combo of the 3. Most bands are indies (independant or on indies labels) but a few make it to major labels such as Malice Mizer, Raphael, and Dir En Grey. Also seen written "VK" or sometimes incorrectly lumped in with the catch all word "Jrock", meaning all japanese rock music.
by ilovevisualindiesbands September 01, 2003
Sexy hot japanese bands that are primarily rock are visual kei. The members of these bands wear a lot of makeup, and crossdress frequently. Older bands include: Malice Mizer, X japan, Dir en grey, Luna Sea, etc.
Modern bands include: Mejibray, Dadaroma, The Gazette, The Gallo, etc.
Modern bands include: Mejibray, Dadaroma, The Gazette, The Gallo, etc.
by Yes.I.Am September 08, 2018