Welcome to May's edition of vkgy's Visual Kei News Roundup!

We aim to provide a one-stop article to cover some of the most exciting - and sad - news in the vkei scene each month. Check out below for May's key news updates.

Banner art credit: OmoideNoKage

Article of the Month

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D announces hiatus in March 2024

https://vk.gy/blog/d-announces-hiatus-for-march-2024/

Visual kei legends D announced in May that they will go on hiatus in March 2024 after 20 years of activity. Known for their varied and elaborate themes intertwined into their music and live shows - from vampires and Alice in Wonderland to their own unique character concept albums - the band surely has something for everyone to enjoy.

Fans can look forward to D's 20th anniversary and activities in the coming months as they close out another chapter in their storied history. Who knows what the future will hold for the band?

New Bands and revivals

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New vkei band Lyrica (リリカ)

https://vk.gy/blog/new-band-lyrica-forms/

Lyrica (リリカ) are born from the continuous session band Usagi no Harawata (うさぎのはらわた) with the concept of “affirmation of negative emotions” (負の感情の肯定).

The band will hold their debut sponsored event on July 25th which will coincide with the release of their first single Strange Rabbit. Lyrica (リリカ) have already teased the song with an MV SPOT to give fans a glimpse at what is to come:

New releases

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Michiru PROJECT (未散プロジェクト) digital distribution begins

L∞p・Ash RECORDS owner Michiru (未散) announced the decision to release a coupling digital album, Fuuin no Zanzou+Hiai no Kakera+Rakuen no Tanjou (Edited) (封印の残像+悲哀の破片+楽園の誕生 (Edited)).

Active from 1999 to 2004, the band went through a number of vocalists including SARINO who went on to later be known for his work in Aioria and Shelly Trip Realize.

This album contains the three SARINO-era releases in one collection:

• Dai Ni Wa 「Fuuin no Zanzou」
• Dai San Wa 「Hiai no Kakera」
• Dai Yon Wa 「Rakuen no Tanjou」

https://vk.gy/blog/michiru-project-new-digital-collection-album/

You can listen to the collection now on Spotify below:

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Versailles new single 'VOGUE'

https://vk.gy/blog/versailles-new-single-vogue/

Popular visual kei band Versailles are set to release their new single, VOGUE, on July 21st. This is their first single in 11 years, after resuming activities once again in 2022. Check out the preview below:

Versailles are currently underway on their tour Varoque~Kareinaru Youshikibi no Gekirin (華麗なる様式美の逆鱗)~ with the tour final to be held on June 24th at Shibuya Spotify O-East. Keep an eye out for future activities!

Wedday (ウェンズデー) second single with new line-up

https://vk.gy/blog/wedday-new-release-coffee-drink-and-sleep-and-live-show-schedule-announcement/

Long-lived Sendai vkei band Wedday (ウェンズデー) announced their second single under the current line-up -- 「Coffee・・・drink and sleep」. Initially released on May 6th at the venue, the single is also available via mail-order since May 10th.

The single includes the title track as well as remasters of popular tracks Brand New Wave (ブランドニューウエ~ブ) and Natsu Mero ~Fu・ta・ri・wa・Ka・ta・o・mo・i~ (夏メロ~フ・タ・リ・ハ・カ・タ・オ・モ・イ~). Check out the MV for 「Coffee・・・drink and sleep」 below:

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MAMA. first album announced

https://vk.gy/blog/mama-to-release-their-first-full-album/

MAMA., who underwent a namechange from mama. after departing their label Bloom in December 2022, announced their first album which is set to be released on July 5th. The band's new direction sees them take on the style of "visual hybrid music" so it'll be exiciting to see how their first full album sounds!

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Spotify Playlist for new visual kei releases

You can also check out the New Releases Playlist curated by Seraphim to find new releases or those newly added to Spotify. There's something to discover for everyone.

https://vk.gy/blog/new-releases-playlist-may-2023/

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Outro

Thanks for reading! If there are any news submissions you would like to see included in future editions, then please let us know on the vkgy Discord #news-submissions channel.

Stay tuned for next month's edition~