NAGOYA KEI

Visual kei is not just one set style, it is an umbrella term for many bands who have taken on visual aesthetics. Nagoya kei is a sub-genre of visual kei.

Nagoya kei is a sub-genre of visual kei, with roots in modern music from Nagoya, Japan. Often considered to be more dark and somber than usual kei, Nagoya took over as musical influences from the west (especially british) punk rock visual kei band from the beginning. Nagoya band tends to focus far less on costumes and make-up that supports a more complex musical composition and concentration on the music it self. 

Nagoya kei band, lynch. Note the black eyeliner, clothing, and dark style.

Characteristics:

Bands that fall under this genre come from Nagoya, Japan, but also other regions in the Aichi prefecture. This sub-genre focuses more on music composition, than looks. Nagoya kei incorporates heavier basslines and complex guitar arrangements and is influenced by Western rock, Goth,  heavy metal, and even a touch of jazz.  It is darker than visual kei. Key points to the Nagoya kei look are black eyeliner, lipstick and mascara, simple outfits that are usually black (such as a suit or vest, collared shirts, fedora hats, ties), silver jewelry, and in some cases white contact lenses.

However, the lines are blurred for this style. For example, a band that comes from Nagoya and plays upbeat tunes are not considered Nagoya kei, and some bands from different regions who play a similar style of music have been considered Nagoya kei. Some of the debatable bands in this genre are Kuroyume and 9GOATSBLACKOUT.

Notable Bands: Kuroyume, lynch. 9GOATSBLACKOUT, DEATHGAZE, La’Mule, GULLET, meth, the studs., Silver~Rose,  deadman, EAT YOU ALIVE, Blast, cocklobin, CoЯe The Child, -OZ-, emmurée, hurts, Hated, Laputa, Sugar.