The Visual Kei Podcast: Recent Episodes
The Visual Kei Podcast
The Visual Kei Podcast is a round table discussion-style podcast on the topic of Visual Kei, a Japanese music scene and genre. We discuss the history of VK and its influences, its cultural impact, the various VK subgenres and submovements, notable VK bands, and so on.
On this episode, prepare to enter the chuggosphere, as a mildly inebriated Aleksi recounts his top 10 favorite releases of the 2023, to the horror and dismay of his fellow hosts and producer. Aaron also stops by to give some of his favorites of the year.
VKPC is a part of vk.gy.
vk.gy is a user-contributed database of detailed information on VK artists, releases, live-performance history, and more. You can also find exclusive interviews and news directly from the bands there!
Our episodes will include links to any vk.gy pages referenced so you can do deeper dives after listening. Also, we’ve got our own channel on vk.gy’s Discord server!
The Visual Kei Podcast is supported by RarezHut.net: your source for rare (and not-so-rare) imported Japanese rock, metal, and visual kei outside of Japan!
New customers can use the code VKPC when checking out to get 10% off their order.
Follow us on Twitter: @thevkpodcast
Follow vk.gy on Twitter: @vkgy_
Follow RarezHut on Twitter: @rarezhut
Join us on the vkgy Discord server: https://vk.gy/to/discord
Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/vkpc
On this episode the team is joined by longtime Visual Kei fan Rob to discuss Key Party, a famous indie label of the late 1990s.
VKPC is a part of vk.gy.
vk.gy is a user-contributed database of detailed information on VK artists, releases, live-performance history, and more. You can also find exclusive interviews and news directly from the bands there!
Our episodes will include links to any vk.gy pages referenced so you can do deeper dives after listening. Also, we’ve got our own channel on vk.gy’s Discord server!
The Visual Kei Podcast is supported by RarezHut.net: your source for rare (and not-so-rare) imported Japanese rock, metal, and visual kei outside of Japan!
New customers can use the code VKPC when checking out to get 10% off their order.
Follow us on Twitter: @thevkpodcast
Follow vk.gy on Twitter: @vkgy_
Follow RarezHut on Twitter: @rarezhut
Join us on the vkgy Discord server: https://vk.gy/to/discord
Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/vkpc
On this episode we continue with part two of the super downtuned & angsty series on the history of nu-metal influence in Visual Kei. Due to scheduling conflicts, Fredrik was unable to host this one, so Aaron and Aleksi are accompanied by Matt Ayers from Licht:noir'e to cover 3 decades of music as it crosses international waters.
VKPC is a part of vk.gy.
vk.gy is a user-contributed database of detailed information on VK artists, releases, live-performance history, and more. You can also find exclusive interviews and news directly from the bands there!
Our episodes will include links to any vk.gy pages referenced so you can do deeper dives after listening. Also, we’ve got our own channel on vk.gy’s Discord server!
The Visual Kei Podcast is supported by RarezHut.net: your source for rare (and not-so-rare) imported Japanese rock, metal, and visual kei outside of Japan!
New customers can use the code VKPC when checking out to get 10% off their order.
Follow us on Twitter: @thevkpodcast
Follow vk.gy on Twitter: @vkgy_
Follow RarezHut on Twitter: @rarezhut
Join us on the vkgy Discord server: https://vk.gy/to/discord
Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/vkpc
On this big & heavy episode, we discuss the history of Nu-Metal influence in Visual Kei, starting with the history of Nu-Metal itself. Due to scheduling conflicts, Fredrik was unable to host this one, so Aaron and Aleksi are accompanied by Matt Ayers from Licht:noir'e to cover 3 decades of music as it crosses international waters.
VKPC is a part of vk.gy.
vk.gy is a user-contributed database of detailed information on VK artists, releases, live-performance history, and more. You can also find exclusive interviews and news directly from the bands there!
Our episodes will include links to any vk.gy pages referenced so you can do deeper dives after listening. Also, we’ve got our own channel on vk.gy’s Discord server!
The Visual Kei Podcast is supported by RarezHut.net: your source for rare (and not-so-rare) imported Japanese rock, metal, and visual kei outside of Japan!
New customers can use the code VKPC when checking out to get 10% off their order.
Follow us on Twitter: @thevkpodcast
Follow vk.gy on Twitter: @vkgy_
Follow RarezHut on Twitter: @rarezhut
Join us on the vkgy Discord server: https://vk.gy/to/discord
Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/vkpc
On this second and final episode, we continue our History of Visual Kei series by covering the year 1991. We discuss bands like LUNA SEA, BUCK-TICK, Kamaitachi, Kuroyume, and more. This is a follow-up from way back in Episode 8 where we covered the year 1990 in Visual Kei.
VKPC is a part of vk.gy.
vk.gy is a user-contributed database of detailed information on VK artists, releases, live-performance history, and more. You can also find exclusive interviews and news directly from the bands there!
Our episodes will include links to any vk.gy pages referenced so you can do deeper dives after listening. Also, we’ve got our own channel on vk.gy’s Discord server!
The Visual Kei Podcast is supported by RarezHut.net: your source for rare (and not-so-rare) imported Japanese rock, metal, and visual kei outside of Japan!
New customers can use the code VKPC when checking out to get 10% off their order.
Follow us on Twitter: @thevkpodcast
Follow vk.gy on Twitter: @vkgy_
Follow RarezHut on Twitter: @rarezhut
Join us on the vkgy Discord server: https://vk.gy/to/discord
Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/vkpc
On this first-of-two episode, we continue our History of Visual Kei series by covering the year 1991. We discuss bands like LUNA SEA, BUCK-TICK, Kamaitachi, Kuroyume, and more. This is a follow-up from way back in Episode 8 where we covered the year 1990 in Visual Kei.
VKPC is a part of vk.gy.
vk.gy is a user-contributed database of detailed information on VK artists, releases, live-performance history, and more. You can also find exclusive interviews and news directly from the bands there!
Our episodes will include links to any vk.gy pages referenced so you can do deeper dives after listening. Also, we’ve got our own channel on vk.gy’s Discord server!
The Visual Kei Podcast is supported by RarezHut.net: your source for rare (and not-so-rare) imported Japanese rock, metal, and visual kei outside of Japan!
New customers can use the code VKPC when checking out to get 10% off their order.
Follow us on Twitter: @thevkpodcast
Follow vk.gy on Twitter: @vkgy_
Follow RarezHut on Twitter: @rarezhut
Join us on the vkgy Discord server: https://vk.gy/to/discord
Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/vkpc
On this very special episode the team settle once and for all the age old question, what is the most halloween-y Visual Kei band of all time?
VKPC is a part of vk.gy.
vk.gy is a user-contributed database of detailed information on VK artists, releases, live-performance history, and more. You can also find exclusive interviews and news directly from the bands there!
Our episodes will include links to any vk.gy pages referenced so you can do deeper dives after listening. Also, we’ve got our own channel on vk.gy’s Discord server!
The Visual Kei Podcast is supported by RarezHut.net: your source for rare (and not-so-rare) imported Japanese rock, metal, and visual kei outside of Japan!
New customers can use the code VKPC when checking out to get 10% off their order.
Follow us on Twitter: @thevkpodcast
Follow vk.gy on Twitter: @vkgy_
Follow RarezHut on Twitter: @rarezhut
Join us on the vkgy Discord server: https://vk.gy/to/discord
Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/vkpc
On this episode each of us pick out one Visual Kei release that we’re surprised to find available on streaming services to discuss, review, and recommend.
VKPC is a part of vk.gy.
vk.gy is a user-contributed database of detailed information on VK artists, releases, live-performance history, and more. You can also find exclusive interviews and news directly from the bands there!
Our episodes will include links to any vk.gy pages referenced so you can do deeper dives after listening. Also, we’ve got our own channel on vk.gy’s Discord server!
The Visual Kei Podcast is supported by RarezHut.net: your source for rare (and not-so-rare) imported Japanese rock, metal, and visual kei outside of Japan!
New customers can use the code VKPC when checking out to get 10% off their order.
Follow us on Twitter: @thevkpodcast
Follow vk.gy on Twitter: @vkgy_
Follow RarezHut on Twitter: @rarezhut
Join us on the vkgy Discord server: https://vk.gy/to/discord
Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/vkpc
On this episode we discuss the early years of D’espairsRay, from their foundation to the 2002 release SEXUAL BEAST (except for James, who didn’t listen to anything...).
VKPC is a part of vk.gy.
vk.gy is a user-contributed database of detailed information on VK artists, releases, live-performance history, and more. You can also find exclusive interviews and news directly from the bands there!
Our episodes will include links to any vk.gy pages referenced so you can do deeper dives after listening. Also, we’ve got our own channel on vk.gy’s Discord server!
The Visual Kei Podcast is supported by RarezHut.net: your source for rare (and not-so-rare) imported Japanese rock, metal, and visual kei outside of Japan!
New customers can use the code VKPC when checking out to get 10% off their order.
Follow us on Twitter: @thevkpodcast
Follow vk.gy on Twitter: @vkgy_
Follow RarezHut on Twitter: @rarezhut
Join us on the vkgy Discord server: https://vk.gy/to/discord
On this episode, we follow up our Early Years Gazette episode with a review of their debut full length album, DISORDER.
VKPC has joined vkgy!
vkgy is a user-contributed database of detailed information on VK artists, releases, live-performance history, and more. You can also find exclusive interviews and news directly from the bands there!
Our episodes will include links to any vkgy pages referenced so you can do deeper dives after listening. Also, we’ve got our own channel on vkgy’s Discord server!
The Visual Kei Podcast is supported by RarezHut.net: your source for rare (and not-so-rare) imported Japanese rock, metal, and visual kei outside of Japan!
New customers can use the code VKPC when checking out to get 10% off their order.
Follow us on Twitter: @thevkpodcast
Follow vk.gy on Twitter: @vkgy_
Follow RarezHut on Twitter: @rarezhut
Join us on the vkgy Discord server: https://vk.gy/to/discord
On this episode, we discuss the early years of The Gazette (or ガゼット) starting with their formation and ending with their mini-album "MADARA".
VKPC has joined vkgy!
vkgy is a user-contributed database of detailed information on VK artists, releases, live-performance history, and more. You can also find exclusive interviews and news directly from the bands there!
Our episodes will include links to any vkgy pages referenced so you can do deeper dives after listening. Also, we’ve got our own channel on vkgy’s Discord server!
The Visual Kei Podcast is supported by RarezHut.net: your source for rare (and not-so-rare) imported Japanese rock, metal, and visual kei outside of Japan!
New customers can use the code VKPC when checking out to get 10% off their order.
Follow us on Twitter: @thevkpodcast
Follow vk.gy on Twitter: @vkgy_
Follow RarezHut on Twitter: @rarezhut
Join us on the vkgy Discord server: https://vk.gy/to/discord
On this episode we continue our discussion of the brand new DIR EN GREY album PHALARIS! Part 2 of 2.
VKPC is joining vk.gy!
vk.gy is a user-contributed database of detailed information on VK artists, releases, live-performance history, and more. You can also find exclusive interviews and news directly from the bands there!
Our episodes will in the future include links to any vk.gy pages referenced so you can do deeper dives after listening. Also, we’ve got our own channel on vk.gy’s Discord server!
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The Visual Kei Podcast is supported by RarezHut.net: your source for rare (and not-so-rare) imported Japanese rock, metal, and visual kei outside of Japan!
New customers can use the code VKPC when checking out to get 10% off their order.
Follow us on Twitter: @thevkpodcast
Follow vk.gy on Twitter: @vkgy_
Follow RarezHut on Twitter: @rarezhut
Join us on the vk.gy Discord server: https://vk.gy/to/discord
On this episode we discuss the brand new DIR EN GREY album PHALARIS, and introduce a not-quite-new permanent co-host! Part 1 of 2.
VKPC is joining vk.gy!
vk.gy is a user-contributed database of detailed information on VK artists, releases, live-performance history, and more. You can also find exclusive interviews and news directly from the bands there!
Our episodes will in the future include links to any vk.gy pages referenced so you can do deeper dives after listening. Also, we’ve got our own channel on vk.gy’s Discord server!
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The Visual Kei Podcast is supported by RarezHut.net: your source for rare (and not-so-rare) imported Japanese rock, metal, and visual kei outside of Japan! New customers can use the code VKPC when checking out to get 10% off their order.
Follow us on Twitter: @thevkpodcast
Follow vk.gy on Twitter: @vkgy_
Follow RarezHut on Twitter: @rarezhut
Join us on the vk.gy Discord server: https://vk.gy/to/discord
On this episode we discuss Dir en grey's second full-length album, MACABRE, with returning guest Perrow. We also bring a short update on the DIMLIM situation. Part 2 of 2.
Follow us on Twitter @thevkpodcast
Join us on the NEW VKPC Discord server: discord.gg/V9V7eCRZqj
The Visual Kei Podcast is supported by RarezHut.net: your source for rare (and not-so-rare) imported Japanese rock, metal, and visual kei outside of Japan! New customers can use the code VKPC when checking out to get 10% off their order.
Follow RarezHut on Twitter @rarezhut
On this episode we discuss Dir en grey's second full-length album, MACABRE, with returning guest Perrow. Part 1 of 2.
Follow us on Twitter @thevkpodcast
Join us on the NEW VKPC Discord server: discord.gg/V9V7eCRZqj
The Visual Kei Podcast is supported by RarezHut.net: your source for rare (and not-so-rare) imported Japanese rock, metal, and visual kei outside of Japan! New customers can use the code VKPC when checking out to get 10% off their order.
Follow RarezHut on Twitter @rarezhut
On this episode we go over the short but very turbulent history of DIMLIM, once the big hope of the Visual Kei scene now turned indie rockers, and our differing opinions on their career trajectory and output.
Follow us on Twitter @thevkpodcast
Join us on the NEW VKPC Discord server: discord.gg/V9V7eCRZqj
The Visual Kei Podcast is supported by RarezHut.net: your source for rare (and not-so-rare) imported Japanese rock, metal, and visual kei outside of Japan! New customers can use the code VKPC when checking out to get 10% off their order.
Follow RarezHut on Twitter @rarezhut
On this episode we discuss the prolific electronic Visual Kei band Metronome’s early career from the year 2005 to 1998 to 2003! ...Wait, what?
Albums discussed in this episode:
ヤプーが召喚された街 (Yapuu ga Shoukan Sareta Machi), 2000
不機嫌なアンドロイド (Fukigen na Android), 2002
1メトロノーム (1 Metronome), 2003
Follow us on Twitter @thevkpodcast
Join us on the NEW VKPC Discord server: discord.gg/V9V7eCRZqj
The Visual Kei Podcast is supported by RarezHut.net: your source for rare (and not-so-rare) imported Japanese rock, metal, and visual kei outside of Japan! New customers can use the code VKPC when checking out to get 10% off their order.
Follow RarezHut on Twitter @rarezhut
On this episode we’re joined by vocalist and long-time VK fan, Perrow, as we return from our mysteriously unannounced hiatus to focus on VK of the year 1990, and dive into bands like ZI:KILL, D'ERLANGER, BUCK-TICK, and many others. Be sure to listen to the end exclusive reveal (which is mostly kind of basically related to VK) at the end of the episode!!
Follow us on Twitter @thevkpodcast
Follow Perrow on Instagram @shiisasasa
Join us on the NEW VKPC Discord server: discord.gg/V9V7eCRZqj
The Visual Kei Podcast is supported by RarezHut.net: your source for rare (and not-so-rare) imported Japanese rock, metal, and visual kei outside of Japan! New customers can use the code VKPC when checking out to get 10% off their order.
Join us on the RarezHut Discord server: discord.gg/zHFEVqvNMz
Follow RarezHut on Twitter @rarezhut
On this episode we have energy drinks and talk about the new album by the GazettE, MASS, which was just released. Wait... it came out over a month ago??
Follow us on Twitter @thevkpodcast
Join us on the NEW VKPC Discord server: discord.gg/V9V7eCRZqj
The Visual Kei Podcast is supported by RarezHut.net: your source for rare (and not-so-rare) imported Japanese rock, metal, and visual kei outside of Japan! New customers can use the code VKPC when checking out to get 10% off their order.
Join us on the RarezHut Discord server: discord.gg/zHFEVqvNMz
Follow RarezHut on Twitter @rarezhut
On this episode we go through our own highly subjective top 10 list of Visual Kei releases from 2020 as well as a few honorable mentions.
Follow us on Twitter! @thevkpodcast
The Visual Kei Podcast is supported by RarezHut.net: your source for rare (and not-so-rare) imported Japanese rock, metal, and visual kei outside of Japan!
Join us on the RarezHut Discord server: discord.gg/zHFEVqvNMz
Follow RarezHut on Twitter! @rarezhut
On this episode we continue our Dir en grey theme where we left off last time, focusing on their major debut album, "GAUZE". Fredrik also shares some of his anecdotes from attending the -mode of “GAUZE”?- back in 2014.
Follow us on Twitter! @thevkpodcast
The Visual Kei Podcast is supported by RarezHut.net: your source for rare (and not-so-rare) imported Japanese rock, metal, and visual kei outside of Japan!
Join us on the RarezHut Discord server: discord.gg/zHFEVqvNMz
Follow RarezHut on Twitter! @rarezhut
On this episode we cover the origins of one of the most popular Visual Kei bands overseas: Dir en grey. We discuss their formation and complete indies output, with focus on the mini-album MISSA, and the two singles, JEALOUS and -I'll-. The first part in what will no doubt be a long series.
Follow us on Twitter! @thevkpodcast
The Visual Kei Podcast is supported by RarezHut.net: your source for rare (and not-so-rare) imported Japanese rock, metal, and visual kei outside of Japan!
Join us on the RarezHut Discord server: discord.gg/zHFEVqvNMz
Follow RarezHut on Twitter! @rarezhut
On this episode we tackle one of the most popular Visual Kei bands of all time: Malice Mizer. We talk about the band’s history, member changes, and have a discussion on all their releases from the earliest demos to the hiatus in 2001 and beyond.
Follow us on Twitter! @thevkpodcast
The Visual Kei Podcast is supported by RarezHut.net: your source for rare (and not-so-rare) imported Japanese rock, metal, and visual kei outside of Japan!
Join us on the RarezHut Discord server: discord.gg/zHFEVqvNMz
Follow RarezHut on Twitter! @rarezhut
On this episode we’re joined by BUCK-TICK fanatic Jigsaw as we take a look at some of the biggest names in the proto-VK scene of the 1980s: X JAPAN, BUCK-TICK, D'ERLANGER and DEAD END. And afterwards we give our impressions on the almost brand-new song by The Gazette, "Blinding Hope".
Follow us on Twitter! @thevkpodcast
Follow Jigsaw on Twitter! @johnny37564
The Visual Kei Podcast is supported by RarezHut.net: your source for rare (and not-so-rare) imported Japanese rock, metal, and visual kei outside of Japan!
Join us on the RarezHut Discord server: discord.gg/zHFEVqvNMz
Follow RarezHut on Twitter! @rarezhut
On this episode we’re joined by RarezHut CEO Biopanda as we introduce the staff, and ambitiously attempt to define Visual Kei: we discuss what it means for a band to exist within the scene and how to identify them based on look and sound, and then delve into the industry and history of VK.
We also talk about getting our parents into VK, the relation of VK to anime, and namedrop a ton of things—all the while probably mispronouncing at least half of the things we talk about!
Follow us on Twitter! @thevkpodcast
Follow Biopanda on Twitter! @Biopanda24
The Visual Kei Podcast is supported by RarezHut: your source for rare (and not-so-rare) imported Japanese rock, metal, and visual kei outside of Japan!
Join us on the RarezHut Discord server: discord.gg/zHFEVqvNMz
Follow RarezHut on Twitter! @rarezhut