As part of the anime festival KitsuCon, held in Switzerland in early May, we had the unique opportunity to interview the members of the Japanese metal band DazzlingBAD, who had their very first performance in Europe.
About the Band
Fans of the visual kei subculture are used to the unexpected, but every now and then, an artist emerges who pushes its often theatrical eccentricity to a whole new level. Meet DazzlingBAD — a Tokyo-based outfit formed in 2020. Officially, the band consists of four core members: vocalist iT, guitarists YUTA and MASA, bassist AYAHA, and their guest drummer Loa. Their music production blends subgenres like kote kei and loud kei, all wrapped in a heavy cloak of darkness. So far, DazzlingBAD has gained attention primarily for the frontman’s distinctive vocal style, avant-garde appearance, and intensive live performances. Their music videos, full of dynamic cuts and sometimes unsettling yet visually captivating imagery, hold their own as well.
In 2021, they dropped their debut mini-album The Beginning of the END, which featured their most successful singles to date: CAMERA OBSCURA and vertigo. Their latest EP album, antagonism, came out last year. Also worth mentioning is their unique side project, 呪縛憑霊 (Jubaku Hyourei), which embraces a horror concept. From this project, the single 花一匁 (Hana Ichi Monme) stands out — accompanied by an aesthetically mesmerizing yet slightly creepy video where the band members wear traditional Japanese costumes and incorporate traditional instruments like the koto into the music.
DazzlingBAD kicked off 2025 with the release of a music video for their single UrOꓭorOss, which, with its musical precision, guitar aggression, and atmospheric piano arrangement, perfectly showcases the band’s talent and originality. They are currently continuing their tour in their homeland and preparing to release a new album.
How would you introduce yourselves as a band to people who don’t know you yet, and why should they choose to listen to you over other visual kei bands?
-iT-: Our charm…? Hmm… where to start? Honestly, I’d rather people just feel it for themselves. Ask your own soul. That’s the kind of band we are.
How did you meet, and what led you to form a band?
悠汰-YUTA-: -iT- sort of popped up out of nowhere and from there, we all came together like fate.
The life of a musician can be exhausting. What keeps you going? Is it the passion for creation, live performances, or something else?
痲紗-MASA-: For me, music is the same as living. It IS life.
綾葉-AYAHA-: Creating and performing isn’t hard for me. What’s hard is not being able to do it.
When composing music, do you set any musical boundaries for yourselves, or are you open to any genre?
綾葉-AYAHA-: We use the traditional visual kei style as a base, but we’re always thinking of ways to experiment and add something new.
悠汰-YUTA-: I write while imagining how the song will feel live, whether it’s exciting or touching. I also pay a lot of attention to making the melodies stick in your head.
痲紗-MASA-: -iT- can become anything, so we don’t really put any restrictions on ourselves.
You’re playing in Europe for the first time. Do you think there is a significant difference between Japanese and international fans?
-iT-: Honestly, if you start pointing out differences, it’s more about individual personalities rather than where someone’s from. So, I don’t think it matters if it’s Japan or overseas. BADィ(the way DazzlingBAD refer to their fandom – pronounced “BADie”) are adorable wherever we go.
悠汰-YUTA-: The passion from fans, whether in Japan or overseas, really comes through. I was especially touched to see overseas fans doing the traditional visual kei furi movements (furitsuke in full – synchronized choreography to individual songs, performed by fans during the concert). It was amazing and really made me smile.
痲紗-MASA-: I love all of our BADィ.
綾葉-AYAHA-: You could say there are differences, but also that there aren’t. Even in Japan, fans show their support in slightly different ways depending on the region.
Your European debut took place in Switzerland. Are there any other countries in the world where you’d love to perform?
悠汰-YUTA-: Personally, I’m not fixed on any particular country, but we honestly had such a great time, that on the flight back to Japan, we all said we’d love to go to Switzerland again.
What are your plans and goals for the future?
-iT-: …
悠汰-YUTA-: To keep existing.
痲紗-MASA-: Always evolving.
綾葉-AYAHA-: As long as my mind and body are alive, I’ll keep going.
Thanks to the KitsuCon team for making the interview happen!
Zdroj: Autorský text, DazzlingBAD, KitsuCon
