L'Arc-en-Ciel, stylized as L'Arc〜en〜Ciel and abbreviated as Laruku, is a Japanese rock band formed in Osaka in 1991 by bassist Tetsuya and vocalist Hyde. Following the departure of original members Hiro and Pero, guitarist Ken and drummer Sakura were recruited to replace them in 1992 and 1993, respectively. While they first got their start as a visual kei band, L'Arc-en-Ciel have not had any association with the movement since their major label debut in 1994. Sakura left the band in 1997 and was replaced by Yukihiro in January 1998, completing the current line-up.
Visual kei, abbreviated v-kei, is a category of Japanese musicians that have a strong focus on extravagant stage costumes that originated in Japan during the early 1980s. Koji Dejima of Bounce wrote that visual kei is not a specific sound, but rather it "revolves around the creation of a band's unique worldview and/or stylistic beauty through visual expressions in the form of makeup and fashion". While visual kei bands can be of any music genre, it is generally associated with glam rock, punk rock, and heavy metal.
Mucc is a Japanese visual kei rock band, formed in Ibaraki Prefecture in 1997. The classic line up of Tatsuro on vocals, Miya on guitar, Yukke on bass, and Satochi on drums was solidified in 1999 following the departure of original bassist Hiro. After 24 years, Satochi retired from the music industry in October 2021, leaving Mucc a trio. They have released 16 studio albums, with 2020's Aku being their highest-charting. Although predominately a heavy band both lyrically and musically, Mucc is known for switching between music genres and styles frequently. Kerrang! included their fourth studio album Kuchiki no Tō (2004) on a list of 13 essential Japanese rock and metal albums.
Merry is a Japanese visual kei rock band formed in Tokyo in 2001. The current member lineup consists of Gara on vocals, Yuu on guitar, Tetsu on bass, and Nero on the drums.
Girugamesh is a Japanese rock band, formed in 2003. Their name is sometimes stylized with a metal umlaut as girugämesh and is derived from the Final Fantasy character. They disbanded on July 10, 2016, although announced a new song, to celebrate label MAVERICK's 40th anniversary as well as to encourage the music scene exhausted by COVID-19, in January 2022.
Kuchiki no Tō is the fourth studio album by Japanese rock band Mucc, released on September 1, 2004, by Danger Crue Records. A European version was released on September 12, 2005, by Gan-Shin. The album reached number 19 on the Oricon Albums Chart.
Lynch is a Japanese visual kei metal band formed in 2004. The band's concept is "uniting heavy music with beautiful melodies." As of 2023, the group has released three EPs, twelve albums, and 25 singles.
Ra:IN is a Japanese instrumental rock band. Formed in 2002 by guitarist Pata, bassist Michiaki and drummer Tetsu, the group is signed to the Danger Crue label. Former hide with Spread Beaver keyboardist DIE joined the band in May 2007, and Tetsu left in April 2014, being replaced on the drums by Ryu. They have released three albums, three singles, and have toured extensively, including international shows in China, Taiwan, France, Italy, Germany, Spain and Russia.
D'erlanger is a Japanese rock band from Kyoto Prefecture, formed in 1983 by guitarist Cipher and bassist Seela. While they originally played speed and power metal, after recruiting drummer Tetsu and vocalist Kyo they switched to a punk rock sound for their debut album La Vie En Rose in 1989. Although it was on an indie label, it sold out and was reissued three times that year, earning them a major label record deal with BMG Japan the following year. They released Basilisk in March 1990 and it reached the top five on the charts. However, in December the group suddenly announced their disbandment.
Hōmura Uta is the second studio album by the Japanese rock band Mucc, released on September 6, 2002. It is the first album to be released by their sublabel Shu, under Danger Crue. Hōmura Uta was reissued two times, with the 2004 version reaching number 48 on the Oricon Albums Chart. Mucc re-recorded the entire album and released it as Shin Hōmura Uta on August 9, 2017.
Zoro was a Japanese visual kei rock band formed in January 2007. Though they were originally a four-piece band for four years, as of 2011, the band is a duo consisting of vocalist Ryuuji and bassist Tatsuhi.
La Vie En Rose is the debut album by Japanese rock band D'erlanger, released on February 10, 1989. It was instantly successful, having to be reissued three times that year alone. The 1991 release reached number 25 on the Oricon Albums Chart and charted for 5 weeks.
Dead End was a Japanese heavy metal/hard rock band formed in Tokyo in late 1984. Following the release of their debut album Dead Line in 1986, the classic lineup of vocalist Morrie, bassist Crazy Cool Joe, guitarist You and drummer Minato was solidified in May 1987. They released three more studio albums and were one of few Japanese metal bands to have international exposure in the United States during the eighties, before dissolving in 1990.
Shangri-La is the eleventh studio album by Japanese rock band Mucc, released on November 28, 2012. It continues the sound used in their previous album Karma, this time with elements of metalcore.
The discography of Mucc includes 17 studio albums, three live albums, four extended plays, 47 singles, 15 demos and 33 video albums. They are a Japanese visual kei rock band, formed in Ibaraki Prefecture in 1997. When original bassist Hiro left in 1999, the classic line up of Tatsuro on vocals, Miya on guitar, Yukke on bass, and Satochi on drums was solidified. Antique, their debut EP, was released in 1999 by Misshitsu Neurose, an independent record label formed by Cali Gari guitarist Ao Sakurai. Mucc signed to Danger Crue Records and established their own sublabel, Shu, for the 2002 release of their second album, Hōmura Uta. The band made their major label debut on Universal with Zekū the following year. In 2009, they returned to being an indie band on Danger Crue, before signing to Sony for 2012's Shangri-La. With the end of 2017, Mucc returned to being an independent band on Danger Crue yet again. After 24 years, Satochi retired from the music industry in October 2021, leaving Mucc a trio.
"The Beyond" is the twenty-first single by Japanese rock band Luna Sea, released on April 29, 2020. Despite receiving a limited production amount, it became the band's first in over 20 years to top the Oricon Singles Chart.
Dezert is a Japanese visual kei rock band formed in 2011. Their current line-up features Chiaki on vocals, Sacchan on bass, Miyako on guitar and Sora on drums and they have released 7 studio albums to date.
Petit Brabancon is a Japanese supergroup, active since 2021. It consists of vocalist Kyo, drummer yukihiro (L'Arc-en-Ciel), guitarists Miya (Mucc) and antz, and bassist Hirofumi Takamatsu. Having been secretly writing and recording music since 2018 or 2019, the band was not publicly unveiled until December 2021.
Masaaki Yaguchi, better known as Miya (ミヤ), is a Japanese musician, songwriter, and record producer. He is best known as guitarist and leader of the visual kei rock band Mucc since 1997. He is also a guitarist of the supergroup Petit Brabancon. In addition to his work as a musician, Miya also works as a DJ and as a record producer and audio engineer for other artists. He also makes and sells homemade audio equipment with engineer Koji Watanabe under the brand name Yaguchi Watanabe Densen (矢口渡邉電線).
Tatsuro is a Japanese singer and songwriter. He is best known as lead vocalist of the visual kei rock band Mucc since 1997. Tatsuro began a solo career in December 2021 and simultaneously released the albums = (Equal) and Hikagaku Hoteishiki the following year. Both reached the top 35 on the Oricon chart. His third album, Colors (2024), became his highest-charting solo release to date when it reached number 29.
