Held on October 12, 13, and 14 at SHIBUYA STREAM HALL in Tokyo, visual kei Halloween concert event MASKED HALLOWEEN came to a close amid much excitement.

Concert goers gathered in full costume and makeup for the festivities. Artists gave unique performances that rose above and beyond “Halloween,” displaying their own aesthetics and worldview—effectively transforming the Shibuya night into something extraordinary.

DAY 1

A night at the crossroads of allure and madness

The first night juxtaposed the polished beauty of DIAURA with the perverse aesthetic of Amai Bouryoku (甘い暴力).

Though it was DIAURA's first time on the stage at MASKED, their presence on stage completely altered the atmosphere in the room. Within DIAURA's overwhelming stage presence lurks a certain tranquility that drags the audience into darkness and dominates the senses.

Amai Bouryoku (甘い暴力) charmed on stage next with a striking performance that mixed madness and transience. Amai Bouryoku (甘い暴力) combines a pop of color and raw emotion that approached the beauty and madness of a “masked night” from a completely different angle than DIAURA.

The intensity and beauty that went head-to-head on stage exemplified day one—wrapping the venue in a maelstrom of fervor.

DAY 2

From up-and-comers to mainstays, a night that distinguished where the v-kei scene is currently

First on stage day two were the newcomers that took the MASKED summer audition grand prix—Deigan (泥眼). Appearing as an opening act, the band took the audience in with a fresh but passionate set.

Next XANVALA introduced themselves as “ZOMVALA” and crushed with a vibe that fit the Halloween season perfectly. Their aura humming with darkness and ferocity, XANVALA's bewitching presence drew in the audience in an instant.

Azavana, known for their fanciful sound and vocalist Ryo's delicate singing voice, joined MASKED for another night (they'd also performed at MASKED in May). The audience seemed to be so immersed in Azavana's drifting melodies and rich sound that they could've forgotten about the world around them.

The last act of the day was ARLEQUIN (アルルカン). They brought a passion to the stage that fired the crowd up in a finale that became a highlight of the evening.

DAY 3

Final chapter lead by ambassador Ryoga

The six Day 3 acts were all hand-selected by MASKED ambassador, Ryoga (RAZOR). Each band brought an energy completely different from the relaxed vibe shown in the MASKED TV program before the event as they went head-to-head on stage and brought the crowd to a fever pitch.

First out was the band sugar, on the heels of their first anniversary performing together. Despite their name, sugar absolutely crushed with a sharp, aggressive set.

The way I to Rito no Mushozoku (哀と凛人の無所属) dominate the audience, you would have no idea it was the only two-person unit at the event. Their stage presence didn't leave anyone the space to think about how few people were on stage.

THE MADNA came out and had the crowd's blood running hot with their groovy, highly addictive tracks. They really showed they deserve the moniker “MAD na HALLOWEEN.”

DEN-NO HIMECA (電脳ヒメカ) dumped their usual colorful getup in favor of jet-black outfits for MASKED HALLOWEEN. They brought a mystery and energy to the stage that positively killed.

The aggressive sound and unique darkness of XAA-XAA (ザアザア) turned the venue on its head. No one in the audience could peel their eyes away as XAA-XAA (ザアザア) epitomized Halloween vibes on the stage.

Finally, the pièce de résistance—NEÜRØMASK.

The room filled with screams as members appeared on stage. Vo. Ryoga ( RAZOR), Gt. HIROTO (ALICE NINE. (アリス九號.)), Gt. Umi (vistlip), Ba. K, and Dr. Natsu (NOCTURNAL BLOODLUST) all came together to create the special session band NEÜRØMASK.

The crowd went crazy for the tracks NEÜRØMASK brought to the stage, and lastly all day 3 performers came out for a rendition of RADICAL HYSTERIA by BORN. MASKED HALLOWEEN went out with a bang, drowned out only by the voices of long time loyal vkei fans.

Visual kei and Halloween, the two concepts became a beautiful 3-day cultural exchange and a ray of light for the future of the vkei scene that will surely shine down on the next MASKED event.

Links

【MASKED OFFICIAL】

Official Youtube Channel

https://www.youtube.com/@masked-vkei

Official TikTok

https://www.tiktok.com/@masked_vkei

Official X

JP:https://x.com/MASKED_vkei EN:https://x.com/MASKED_vkei_EN

Official Instagram

https://www.instagram.com/masked_vkei

Official Site

http://www.masked-v.com/