X, LUNA SEA, GLAY, Kuroyume… In the first half of the 90s, famous bands and songs that everyone knows were born one after another on the scene. Toward the second half of the 90s, which is known as the golden age of Visual-kei, Visual-kei grew into a major culture.
CONTENTS
“DUNE” by L’Arc~en~Ciel (1993)
From L’Arc~en~Ciel’s first album “DUNE”, “DUNE” is impressive for its instability and fragility of hyde’s vocals. L’Arc~en~Ciel is rarely categorized as a Visual-kei band, but since hyde’s style at the time was reminiscent of MORRIE (DEAD END), we are treating the album as part of the “Visual-kei area”.
The drummer at the time was SAKURA, and the sound is very inclusive. If you get a chance, check out the music video! You won’t be able to take your eyes off hyde singing with his fairy-like figure. It is so fantastic that you might melt into “DUNE” as the title says.
Release date: 1993/04/10
Members at the time of release : hyde(Vo.), ken(Gt.), tetsu(Ba.), sakura(Dr.)
“Kanojo no Modern…” by GLAY (1994)
This is GLAY’s third single. It has been performed from before their debut to the present, and is a standard song that gets people excited at their live performances. It is also full of GLAY’s typical sense of speed. The drums for this single were played by Masashi Minato, former drummer of DEAD END, whom JIRO respects.
Release date : 1994/11/16
Members at the time of release : TERU(Vo.), HISASHI(Gt.), TAKURO(Gt.), JIRO(Ba.)
“WHITE SHAMAN” by SOFT BALLET (1993)
SOFT BALLET’s “WHITE SHAMAN” is so vibrant and full of life. Fashionable like models, the way they sing and dance is art itself. Endo RYOICHI’s (Vo.) neat looks and strong singing voice with a slight gap between the two captivate listeners. Although they were not directly part of the Visual Kei genre, their influence on the scene in later generations is immeasurable. All of their works are masterpieces, but “White Shaman” is one of the most representative songs.
Release date : 1993/10/06
Members at the time of release : ENDO RYOICHI(Vo.), FUJII MAKI(Synth., Key.), MORIOKA KEN(Synth., Key.)
“ICE MY LIFE” by Kuroyume(1994)
“ICE MY LIFE” is Kuroyume’s second major single. It was released when there were three members. Kiyoharu has changed his image from his previous visual-kei look to a feminine and beautiful style. The fragile, beautiful young man look seemed to be a boom at the time. “ICE MY LIFE” is one of the representative songs of Kuroyume’s early period, and the brilliant guitar solo by Shin is simply amazing! Please take the time to listen to it.
Release date : 1994/07/20
Members at the time of release : Kiyoharu (Vo.), Shin(Gt.), Hitoki(Ba.)
“SO BAD BOY” by BY-SEXUAL (1990)
SO BAD BOY”, BY-SEXUAL’s major label debut, is a song with a sense of rebellion and brightness. The song was performed at the VISUAL JAPAN SUMMIT 2016 and was a hit at the event.
Release date : 1990/02/21
Members at the time of release : SHO(Vo.), RYÖ(Gt.), DEN(Ba.), NAO(Dr.)
writer：Nakajima
