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I just looked at some videos on dystonia patients....this is fucking awful. He says he only has it on his upper right arm, but I'm scared that it may progress all over. I wish the very best for Yusuke. As for those who are saying the band needed this hiatus because "their music sucks anyway"...shame on you. This announcement was very sudden, and losing someone like Yusuke over something as devastating as this is a huge blow to the band, and this man may have to deal with this for the rest of his life. Shame on you.

Wow, was not expecting that much of a downgrade. Other than the vocals this is not the same band. If a band's popular enough to become major (if they are indeed major), why the hell do record labels insist on changing everything that made them good/unique enough to become major to begin with? Retarded.

That’s why they went with Ice; less chance of breaking up a solo act.

I've been cautiously optimistic about this..................................... until now. ;c

Tastes like pellets made out of food that’s been digested and stripped of nutrients, in this case of character and spirit. To repeat something that somehow constantly begs repeating: it doesn’t suck because it’s ”not heavy,” but because it’s a lame band stripping themselves of a sound by committing self-lobotomy, leaving behind only the dried, flesh-stripped bones where even the vultures won’t find nothing.

Official image of the set-list shared by Rubi on twitter:

Didn't like the chibi, so I made my own album cover w/ the CD logos, etc. There could def. be improvements made, otherwise I'm pretty content w/ it.

I firmly believe Tokyo in Tulsa is a curse. Every band that performed there (DaturA, Meteoroid, Avanchick) ended up disbanding shortly after when they were seemingly doing great, so I wouldn't be surprised if Ice decides to retire or some shit while on the plane back to Japan. lmao rip

It has been announced that after their oneman at Shibuya O-WEST on August 28th, Yusuke will depart from the band and retire from music due to dystonia. As a result DADAROMA will pause activities. They will make another announcement at the oneman.

For as much as I love visual kei, there are plenty of practices I detest. I could go on forever. It wouldn't be fair to celebrate all of the good in the scene without admitting the bad as well. There are so many things that make me sad, make me irate, or make me want to rip my hair out that it was hard to settle on just five. Here's five commonplace practices in visual kei that's a total ball ache for any international fan invested into the scene. Like I said above, I have way more than five things that annoy me about the scene. Does anyone else want to fill in the gaps with practices that they hate that they've come to accept within the scene? Come share your frustrations and horror stories with me. We have plenty of tea and live-distributed crackers for you.

NORA (french visual kei band) have formed and they have released their first single "CREATE" on 2018.06.28, available on iTunes, Google Play and Amazon. Line-up: Vocal: Maiku Guitar: Konero Bass: Rei Drums: Keru Official Website: http://www.nora-web.com

Because this is by far the funniest and coolest song of VK, here my translation of it! I have some problems with the Zipper/Fly part... so if anyone can correct me or help out that would be great! From when I started as bandomen I was quite popular. Feeling happy every day, Today I want to paint a lot in my picture Diary again! My fan's twitter blog It changed to a guy that wasn't me. I am ashamed of my image. So I can't look at the screen. A bashful/shy person! When I MC it's a funeral feeling! When I MC it's a funeral feeling! Thank you very much for always listening to me. The bangya who pulled my cheki traded it away in front of my eyes. I'm happy! She is sharing me! ME! *sparkle* She said she would support me until death She hasn't come to see me lately. I wonder if she has died? The bangya that use their smartphones, sitting on the ground during a live show: They are looking up my band's situation. Diligently studying! Handing out flyers on the way back, my band's flyers are falling down... I see! The purpose is to mark the way over a long distance! At the taiban (multi-band live), the guys taking photos with me won't post them on twitter. My fans who see it will feel jealous, so you have a grudge against me! Killer! In front of me, there are no bangya. They are standing firm in the back. "I understand! In a movie theater the back also has a better view, right?" From tomorrow onwards it's To~Mei~Han! To~Mei~Han! To~Mei~Han! From tomorrow onwards it's To~Mei~Han! To~Mei~Han! To~Mei~Han! Live? Ahh, it's just a short drive! Live? A no, it's just a car trip...!!! I called the phone number, that was secretly written in a letter. It was something I had not heard before at all, the voice of an old man! "Hello!" You're a shy person, but you pranked me! My secret relationship with the old man? Oi oi oi! Don't stare at me like that! The people around us will be alarmed! ### My zipper was open... My singing voice My angelic singing voice Singing the best songs Today alone again at karaoke ### (I am missing something here.... I really don't get this part.... 😭😭😭😭 Help please!) # To Mei Han = Tokyo Nagoya Osaka tour

From their Facebook https://www.facebook.com/kyhomg 🔥New Release🔥 1st Full Album 『KEEP YOUR HANDs OFF MY GIRL』 2018.08.01 Release!!!! そして復活一発目となるライブを解禁！ 2018.09.02(sun) @新潟GOLDEN PIGS RED a crowd of rebellion x KEEP YOUR HANDs OFF MY GIRL pre. 『米騒動 vol.3』2 man show 〜「KEEP YOUR HANDs OFF MY GIRL」&「Ill」TOUR〜 開催決定！ チケットはプレイガイドにて先行予約受付中！

I was discussing this with my gf 2 days ago... that happens a lot in the western fandom, in social media-based circles that don't look much into the scene and have no clue of how it actually works in Japan. I think the fandom in Japan in general knows how things are. Of course, there are whackos like everywhere else.

I remember being 16 and trying to learn the natsu koi natsu game dance with my best friend. Good times. Oh yes, I also love jibun, completely forgot to mention it! I really like their style in that one.

LMC copyband teas

I felt he talked so honestly at the oneman i went to about questioning why doing music. I thought you become like that AFTER you do such shitty music with major change but not doubt music and then your solution is to make flat pop music?!

old song

He is leaving the band and retiring from music after their last scheduled live. Perhaps its poor word choice on my part.

Even though you said that I introduced you to Arlequin, I've fallen off of them after "near equal" disappointed me. This topic gave me the inspiration to go back and try them out again. With a mix of old and new stuff I'm sure I'll find a way to fall in love with them all over again. This is exactly what I needed and I didn't even know it. Thanks @emmny!

damn yusuke was one of the best drummers in the game ;___; hope he gets better and DDRM find an equally good replacement

I think they endorsed it. Lol There was like one tweet from them when the CD was released. It isn't really insulting in anyway to the band. Also some of the Gosan guys were Ptons former bandmates.... lol There were more threats and insults from other bands fans. They KNOW this is always coming, but issued a statement, that they will continue to do parodies and that they are themselves VK fans. I was super surprised they announced an R-shitei parody. I know they are all really hughe fans and want to do a parody, but the Mamogya are something different. Lol. And the predicted death-threats came. R-shitei and The Raid. Have also officially posted that there are funny parodies of their songs... so I guess Kaitou is mostly save from the bandoman perspective. (The labels act differently....) The Hitler video is kind of discussing this. Summary: "I want to do parodies! It's fun! Even bands agree with what we do, but their labels suck! We should stick to self-published song parodies... but I looooove oboreru sakana!"

sounds alright but a bit generic. will check it out at least

Thanks for the introduction to them. Not my kind of sound but definitly loving that humor I just wonder how those assholes from Gosan reacted to the parody (while having the Mathilda drama in mind)?!

Kuroyuri to kages's tour is coming to it's ending,Karasuna Mei keeps mentioning he's doing some "experimental studio". let's see what the future holds for these guys,or what they've been holding for the future...need to see my fav musicians doing something new again,it keeps me interested in life.

i love the lead single eventhough it sounds like an air conditioner recorded it

Happy birthday! I hope you have a wonderful day today 🎂

I don't get the hate? His solo single was acceptable enough, and it's a free concert at a convention. I'd go if he was playing at Anime North, and literally all I know about him is that one BFN song I like and that he enjoys ice cream and crop tops.

New Gundam Breaker. I watched a bunch of reviews where every Youtube weeb reviewer just complained about it for 30 minutes, but a patch addressed a lot of the lag issues that were crippling the game. It's still chaotic and the story is as contrived as it is forced, but I am enjoying myself. I like mashing together random parts to make a new model. From what I've seen in other review videos, this game doesn't have as much customization as the previous title. For example, you could adjust the angle of your extra limbs / guns / shields / etc so they don't clip, but in this game you just have to deal with it looking stupid or going without parts that have a lot of fins. I've been working with this guy while amassing new parts before continuing on in the story.

Only reason I'm doubting so much is Naoki (ex-Kagrra,) plays that day and I'd rather see him. And it'll be easier to get tickets for that lol But going and writing a live report is REALLY tempting.

Maple Gunman is a funny video :D. I love Tekesuta Kousen, because this my first PV i see of An Cafe. Snow Scene is really sad song and the PV is really beautiful. I love SUMMER DIVE , because the PV call the sun. Natsu Koi Natsu GAME because the MV is really funny and all people dance. Itai Onna ~NO PAIN, NO LOVE? JAPAIN GIRLS in LOVE~ , because Miku and the band are n school uniform and I love the song 😍 . I love Odoru Mehuren Tokei because the atmosphere of the MV. Mousou Mo Mou Sorosoro because An Cafe denounce the japenese society. JIBUN is really fun because the MV are in toilets, xD. : Ikenai Mousou×Abunai Monster , i love the song and the band are really funny :D. An i like their last MV Negaigoto wa Hitotsusa beacause the song and the MV are really sad and peotic.

My mood as of late can be described as oof.

Posting here AGAIN already... don’t mind me...

this is something i'd like to do, maybe give me a few days i feel like the people who would benefit the most from the document are the people who are interested in the friendship dynamic of the band, or people who want to know more about the circumstances behind AK's return. so, the focus is less the band as a musical unit and more the band as a group of people. if you want music, wait for the Messe DVD/blu-ray. that said i loved it and the clip of AK's triumphant return made me cry lmao i translated all the lyrics on tumblr if that's of interest to anyone: http://c-u-l-t-i-c.tumblr.com/ lyrically this album isn't as interesting as some past entries (i really liked AVANTGARDE for this), but the GROTESQUE/JØKER pair is interesting, and FAITH + SENSE OF EMPTINESS are up my alley.

I've only really given a couple of music videos a try and they weren't clicking with me, but B-sides do tend to sell me on a band so I'm pumped to give these a try. EDIT- After listening to what was posted here, I'm sold lol. Going to track down their discography and start following them closely. So many bands I should have gone and seen while I was in Japan

i love completly to Arlequin, but my top 1 is "toge" beautiful post!

Playing the Megaman X Legacy Collection 1&2, even though I've played the X-series games about a million times. Trophies mostly.

Amazing list!! Arlequin is defintiely one of those bands that should not be judged on singles alone (even when their singles are killer!). All of these songs are great, I never realised how many of my favourites are b-sides etc. (lullaby is probably my all time favourite though!) Thanks for puttting it together, it was a fun read

I'm glad to see this list on MH, Arlequin is such a great and talented band. I'm happy that I followed them very early in their career, it feels a bit surreal to have seen them not sold-out at places like Rokumeikan and Area together with Grieva and Dezert. Also Zou is such an amazing song.

I like all songs in this list actually haha. Thank you for this, I hope more people check them out. I'm following since the start (but became real fan in august 2015) and I can see them growing and trying everytime!

No "Douke no hana", no like

never paid attention to arlequin before but i'll try these out x

My top three: dokuhaku, higame, nega ability. Bonus: Zou because it must be super fun live. Thanks for the great list, I want to go through their entire discography again now. Which reminds me of two songs I would've included: lullaby and BURN.

It sounds like the shitty pop-rock bands that we have in Japan. The music is deadly boring.

I agree with just about everything here; the live-limited releases, the multitype releases, the downloads, the fan jealousy, the conditional disbandments, ...everything. It's pretty different than being into general bandom back in the day. A lot of shit like this has been sitting in my head for a while, so I'm just gonna spill it here, so excuse the sloppiness... I will admit tho, I'm quite guilty of being jealous of certain people, because I can't afford a trip to Japan just to see my faves, nor do I have any friends who are just as passionate as I am about my faves. I don't know when, or if, that day will come, but I always couldn't help getting pissed off when other people talk about the lives they attended, the shit they got, and interacting with other fans or my faves, while I sit here on my fatass doing nothing but moping (like I am right now ;w; ). VK isn't even hot in the states (and all we get is shit bands at fucking anime cons), and I fucking hate how I have to go to another country, learn to speak another language, and face potential culture shock just to enjoy my faves...it's fucking ridiculous. It makes me feel less as a fan and more of just a outsider, which is why I even dread being in this ass fandom sometimes. (can I also mention how I can't fucking read tanuki and enjoy the shitslinging of various bands, unless I have to visit a blog run by an ELITIST BITCH who barely does jackshit??? fuck that cunt btw) Even worse, when there's live-limited shit that I can't get, it sucks because the song(s) in question could (1) take ages to be rereleased in a regular release, and I'd have to waste time searching auctions for at least a year, or (2) be lost forever or be sold for like 9000 yen on mercari (and prob end up sounding like taking a shit in the sewer)...it especially sucks when I've amassed most of a band's discography, only to be lacking their live-limited cds and it's so nervewracking for a perfectionist like me. As for other shit, I'd say keeping certain things private or vague, like how a member is dismissed from a band, the REAL reason why a band broke up from outta nowhere, label drama, etc., is what kinda annoys me about visual kei. As a drama-loving gal, I'd like to see a LOT of spillT tea, and read even more about these bands other than their general history. Who is the shittiest kusoman of them all? What "deplorable acts" did this shithead commit to get kicked out of the band?! Whatever the fuck happened to Hisui/Klaha/Karma, etc...? It is a mystery... The multitype bullshit is probably one of the worst things to come out of this genre alone. What's the point of spending an extra 1500+ yen for a release with a different song/discs/purchase bonuses, etc.?! Why can't yall just sell that extra shit individually, or put the songs all together (that'd usually be enough for a FUCKING ALBUM, HELLER??????) None of the bands I care about have really done this much, except for Sui's solo project which is shilling its mini-album with 2 types with different tracklists, AND another edition coming up via webshop only....which I can see having both tracklists combined to add to its uniqueness and basically make it a cashgrab. That also brings me to distributing songs as bonuses if tickets are purchased, which is exactly what David is doing, and I can't help but roll my mo'fuckin eyes..........like what is even the point besides getting asses in seats??? At least it's better than getting 5 tickets to all the tour lives in order to UNLOCK the Grand Prize of TEN THOUSAND DOLLA---a one-coin CD...??? Just another unreasonable cashgrab, which makes me wanna collect even less from this project. Adding onto buying 50 types of the same release, buying shit when you're in the US, and poor as fuck btw, is fucking expensive, especially when it comes to shipping. HOLY HELL. Usually I have to pay an extra ~$13 or so to have my shit shipped out within a week (and that fucking sucks when the item I buy is initially like, 1 yen). What I keep forgetting however, is when I buy more than just one CD (like mags, posters, etc.), and the shipping price fucking skyrockets to about the same price I'd pay for EMS...not to mention having to pay extra fees like item weight, domestic, service fees, packaging, breathing...it never ends. I'm not good at math, so that just makes it even more stressful just buying shit. But I still love it though 😭😭😭............idc about my wallet's feelings :))) I may add more later, there's just so much shit about vk that frustrates me....

In my opinion, there even being a divide between "international" and "local" fans is the root of an entirely different problem. Fans are fans, no matter where they may live, and we live in a time where the world is becoming increasingly interconnected. There's a distinction in my mind between a local artist who has their music internationally available (example: a rapper promoting his first mix tape on sound cloud) and an international artist only promoting their music locally (example: fan-club limited CD's a la cali≠gari). Even if a local artist has to rely on word of mouth to have their music spread to new ears, having it available on a venue such as Bandcamp or Spotify doesn't actually cost them anything to attract new listeners. They upload it once, the big man upstairs takes his cut, and whatever funds come your way through those sources are yours. And think about how many of these artists go viral and actually become mildly or wildly successful because their music was easy to access. This is in contrast to only promoting music locally, which doesn't necessarily take less money to produce, and is purposefully reaching a smaller audience. Sometimes, bands even go out of their way to make it difficult for non-Japanese people to engage with them, like when record labels purposefully prohibit selling releases overseas through second hand shops even though they aren't footing the shipping bill, or when the label uploads a PV to their official channel and then region-locks it to Japan so that we have to use VPNs to watch a music video on an international platform. Stick some fucking ads before the video and make some free money god damn it. Here's an excerpt from Bandcamp's pricing page where the explain how they run their business. Now I don't suggest this in lieu of signing a record deal, because a deal also comes with other benefits such as free promotion, practice space, and studio time. But for a lot of starting, independent visual kei bands that don't have a lot of funds, this is the more ideal way to go. We don't even know how well this approach would work because no band has ever tried it. I listen to both the underground metal scene as well as the doujin scene from Japan, and both scenes run their affairs completely differently, and both manage to promote their music and ship internationally way more efficiently than visual kei bands. The way the visual kei scene runs its affairs in 2018 is almost identical to the way they did it in 2008. It's been ten years and not much has changed, and the underlying attitudes pervading the scene are even earlier than that. The world is changing, and bands must prepare and adapt. You are entirely correct in that most of us would never buy a release. I am guilty of this too, no doubt. Many record companies realize this, and that's why they are transitioning to streaming services. Japan needs to catch up. I don't even like streaming services, and I still prefer to download and hoard all my music, but I recognize the appeal and utility in what they offer. Complaining about being on the brink of disbandment while spending large amounts of money on make-up, outfits, and photo shoots means concessions have to be made somewhere, and if the way that music is distributed has to change then so be it. Visual kei needs to become more consumer friendly, no matter where that consumer may live. I should make an addendum to my earlier post and clarify that live-distributed releases don't bother me if they function as a preview. If whatever music or DVD or merch sold at a live is eventually included in a store-purchasable fashion, then I'm fine with waiting. I'd have to wait anyway, and at least the luck portion is removed from the equation. Extract your profits up front, and then sell it to the masses later. If pumping out CDs stresses the budget that much, take orders and only sell as many CDs as was ordered so no band ends up with hundreds of unsold releases. Hell, do what Kisaki did and distribute any remaining CDs through auctions online under anonymous accounts at a later date so all the money goes back to the band anyway. But only selling things at lives sucks for everyone who couldn't go, international fan or not, and you don't make as much money as you could have if you just sold it both ways. This is a ... weird approach to take, but I actually like that masaya cared enough about the international fans to make it available to us in some fashion. BLESSCODE tried something different, and it wasn't at the expense of the consumer's time, money, and effort. Maybe they didn't make that much money off of it, but the alternative was to have a bunch of pressed yet unsold CDs sitting around, which would just mean that's wasted money anyway. Sometimes the sentiment behind actions are priceless, and I know many fans of BLESSCODE appreciated this gesture. I sure do, and I'm not even a fan of them! I would really like to understand the logistics behind how this whole scene works from top to bottom, because the more I sit and think about it the more I feel like there's a few people at the top holding back progress for everyone else. A lot of counter arguments I can make to my own points is that some big wig sitting in a cushy office set up a contract expressly forbidding bands from implementing half the ideas I proposed, which makes most of my arguments moot anyway. Record companies may be making record profits these days, but on that same token artists and musicians have more tools and promotion than at any time in history before. The fact that we know about every single upstart indies band in Japan just weeks or even days after they formed is a far cry from how the scene was back in 1999, when only the biggest names in the scene were whispered in noisy American cafeterias with 128kbps sound samples and low res PV snippets available online in two to three places, with a random selection of full tracks available for the pirating on Napster. tl;dr - a band is both a business and an investment. It may sound harsh, but just because a bunch of pretty boys slap on make up doesn't mean that they can get away with running their business inefficiently. Diversify and adapt, or face disbandment.

Considering how their music has become awful, this hiatus is a good thing.