The year of 2017 is no exception when it comes to our tradition of
looking back on all the greatest visual kei and Japanese acts of the
year! What we have for you today are two lists compiling the best acts
we covered throughout the year!
The first being a visual kei list with all the visual kei bands we covered, gathered and compared; the second one is a general Japanese acts list where we include non-visual kei acts that were covered this year. Their positioning is influenced solely by their best selling record from this year—including releases before 2017—over at CDJapan, so if you want to help your favorite act to get on the list, or position even higher, make sure to show your support by buying their music!
TOP 15 VISUAL KEI BANDS
In the three years of making these yearly top lists, the GazettE ends up as number one for the third time in a row! With their recent heavy and mysterious concept, it is hard to see why they wouldn’t be topping this year again!
Although our rock buddies didn’t release any new song this year, their compilation album Traces Vol.2 came with re-recorded songs which helped them get on this year’s list. The band did however tease a very promising album for the year to come, watch out for that!
The aristocratic KAMIJO has not only upheld his position on the list but also upheld a rather reminiscing visual kei look of the 90’s, in one of his latest release, mademoiselle. While that release was one of the best selling visual kei releases on CDJapan, KAMIJO had even better sales number for his album Castrato which has been out since May. KAMIJO’s concept in combination with his music seems to be a perfect fit and earned the second spot on the list!
For the upcoming year, KAMIJO plans to introduce it with the single Nosferatu and later with a new album, Sang!
NOCTURNAL BLOODLUST made it to the third position thanks to their best-of album, The Best ’09-’17. While this may look like their only release from this year by browsing CDJapan, the band did also abruptly release a digital-only single called Live to Die back in August.
With Live to Die, the band showed the fans that they stayed true to their initial sound by keeping the heavy verses in combination with lighter and emotional choruses.
After being on hiatus, Versailles revived back in late 2015. The band has been struggling to get up on the list ever since, but now with the band being in full motion, they made it to the fourth position! Versailles‘ best selling release this year was their live DVD Chateau de Versailles at Nippon Budokan which was performed back in February. Though, it should be noted that the band actually released an album this year. The album Lineage~Bara no Matsuei~ was released and given out for free at the live performance in Budokan, thus, it never made it to the general sales.
The concept of KAMIJO stems from this band, so it is no surprise Versailles is able to make it this far too. Also, if you didn’t know or notice already, Versailles has KAMIJO taking the center spot as the vocalist.
Jupiter is basically an offspring of Versailles, initially composed of the same members of Versailles, with the exception of Zin taking the position as the vocalist instead of KAMIJO. Their sound is similar yet different from Versailles, likewise here, we’re not surprised to see them do well on the top list—seeing how appreciated KAMIJO’s and Versailles’ music are. The band made it to position five with their album Tears Of The Sun.
Unfortunately, the future of Jupiter will be without Zin as he decided to depart from the band recently.
The first being a visual kei list with all the visual kei bands we covered, gathered and compared; the second one is a general Japanese acts list where we include non-visual kei acts that were covered this year. Their positioning is influenced solely by their best selling record from this year—including releases before 2017—over at CDJapan, so if you want to help your favorite act to get on the list, or position even higher, make sure to show your support by buying their music!
1. the GazettE
In the three years of making these yearly top lists, the GazettE ends up as number one for the third time in a row! With their recent heavy and mysterious concept, it is hard to see why they wouldn’t be topping this year again!
Although our rock buddies didn’t release any new song this year, their compilation album Traces Vol.2 came with re-recorded songs which helped them get on this year’s list. The band did however tease a very promising album for the year to come, watch out for that!
 |
Traces vol.2
Buy at CDJapan or JPU Records |
2. KAMIJO
The aristocratic KAMIJO has not only upheld his position on the list but also upheld a rather reminiscing visual kei look of the 90’s, in one of his latest release, mademoiselle. While that release was one of the best selling visual kei releases on CDJapan, KAMIJO had even better sales number for his album Castrato which has been out since May. KAMIJO’s concept in combination with his music seems to be a perfect fit and earned the second spot on the list!
For the upcoming year, KAMIJO plans to introduce it with the single Nosferatu and later with a new album, Sang!
 |
Castrato Buy at CDJapan |
3. NOCTURNAL BLOODLUST
NOCTURNAL BLOODLUST made it to the third position thanks to their best-of album, The Best ’09-’17. While this may look like their only release from this year by browsing CDJapan, the band did also abruptly release a digital-only single called Live to Die back in August.
With Live to Die, the band showed the fans that they stayed true to their initial sound by keeping the heavy verses in combination with lighter and emotional choruses.
 |
The Best ’09-’17
Buy at CDJapan |
4. Versailles
After being on hiatus, Versailles revived back in late 2015. The band has been struggling to get up on the list ever since, but now with the band being in full motion, they made it to the fourth position! Versailles‘ best selling release this year was their live DVD Chateau de Versailles at Nippon Budokan which was performed back in February. Though, it should be noted that the band actually released an album this year. The album Lineage~Bara no Matsuei~ was released and given out for free at the live performance in Budokan, thus, it never made it to the general sales.
The concept of KAMIJO stems from this band, so it is no surprise Versailles is able to make it this far too. Also, if you didn’t know or notice already, Versailles has KAMIJO taking the center spot as the vocalist.
 |
Chateau de Versailles at Nippon Budokan
Buy at CDJapan |
5. Jupiter
Jupiter is basically an offspring of Versailles, initially composed of the same members of Versailles, with the exception of Zin taking the position as the vocalist instead of KAMIJO. Their sound is similar yet different from Versailles, likewise here, we’re not surprised to see them do well on the top list—seeing how appreciated KAMIJO’s and Versailles’ music are. The band made it to position five with their album Tears Of The Sun.
Unfortunately, the future of Jupiter will be without Zin as he decided to depart from the band recently.
 |
Tears Of The Sun
Buy at CDJapan |
| 6. |  |
MEJIBRAY
SM #2
Buy at CDJapan |
| 7. |  |
lynch.
SINNERS-EP
Buy at CDJapan |
| 8. |  |
Matenrou Opera
PANTHEON -PART 1-
Buy at CDJapan |
| 9. |  |
MIYAVI
Samurai Sessions Vol.2
Buy at CDJapan |
| 10. |  |
D
Dark fairy tale
Buy at CDJapan |
| 11. |  |
DIAURA
VERSUS
Buy at CDJapan |
| 12. |  |
DADAROMA
dadaism #3
Buy at CDJapan |
| 13. |  |
Initial’L
Vision
Buy at CDJapan |
| 14. |  |
A9
Ideal
Buy at CDJapan |
| 15. |  |
BUCK-TICK
TOUR Atom Miraiha No.9 – FINAL –
Buy at CDJapan |
Comentarios
Publicar un comentario