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 April 04, 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 25, 2005
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 March 02, 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 August 31, 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
A type of Japanese Rock music (Jrock) meaning Visual Style Music (also known as VK ). Members of Visual-Kei bands stereotypically wear large, elaborately decorated costumes, makeup and feminine accessories. The hair is often dyed and extremely styled, or the band members will wear wigs that are easier to manage.
Usually, the visual-kei image is kept by indie Jrock bands. They will slowly grow out of it as they become more well known.
Most of the time, Visual Kei bands slowly work their way out of their visual image. This is most often caused by the band being signed to a major record label. To dress more normally means they are more widely accepted, which in turn means gross profit for the band and label; therefore the change is usually encouraged.
Contrary to popular belief, Visual-kei band members are generally not homosexual but dress the way they do to gain fans, to bring attention to themselves and to build a following.
It is a stereotype that Visual-Kei music is crappy and the and makes up for it in looks. While it may be true that some bands sound similar, this is not true for all. Visual-kei too has it's sub-genres, and different bands may portray different looks and sounds from others.
If one doesn't take the time to delve further into Visual-kei, or Jrock in generally, how can one give a valid or unbiased definition of it?
By Saying only a few things, you are barely scratching the surface.
Usually, the visual-kei image is kept by indie Jrock bands. They will slowly grow out of it as they become more well known.
Most of the time, Visual Kei bands slowly work their way out of their visual image. This is most often caused by the band being signed to a major record label. To dress more normally means they are more widely accepted, which in turn means gross profit for the band and label; therefore the change is usually encouraged.
Contrary to popular belief, Visual-kei band members are generally not homosexual but dress the way they do to gain fans, to bring attention to themselves and to build a following.
It is a stereotype that Visual-Kei music is crappy and the and makes up for it in looks. While it may be true that some bands sound similar, this is not true for all. Visual-kei too has it's sub-genres, and different bands may portray different looks and sounds from others.
If one doesn't take the time to delve further into Visual-kei, or Jrock in generally, how can one give a valid or unbiased definition of it?
By Saying only a few things, you are barely scratching the surface.
Some of the most common Visual kei bands are Dir en Grey and Malice Mizer. But both have different images.
Malice Mizer had an 18th century goth feel.
Dir en Grey sported a more urban goth look.
Malice Mizer has been broken up for a number of years.
Dir en Grey has since become more popular and have abandoned their Visual-kei look, since being signed to a major label.
X-Japan was an 80's glam rock band, but they can also be called Visual-kei. The leader of the and, Yoshiki, has since been producing bands in both Japan and America.
Some indie Visual-kei ands are CodomoA, Sugar Trip, Lolita 23q, Death Rabbits and Girugamesh.
Malice Mizer had an 18th century goth feel.
Dir en Grey sported a more urban goth look.
Malice Mizer has been broken up for a number of years.
Dir en Grey has since become more popular and have abandoned their Visual-kei look, since being signed to a major label.
X-Japan was an 80's glam rock band, but they can also be called Visual-kei. The leader of the and, Yoshiki, has since been producing bands in both Japan and America.
Some indie Visual-kei ands are CodomoA, Sugar Trip, Lolita 23q, Death Rabbits and Girugamesh.
by I know All September 04, 2008