Formed in September 2022, DAMNED are an independent metal visual kei band built on the concept of “visual kei loudcore”, combining the intensity of metalcore with the dramatic visuals and expressive foundations of the V-kei scene. After early lineup changes in 2023, the band entered a new phase in January 2024 with the arrival of vocalist Hitone and guitarist Suica, a shift that saw DAMNED quickly gain momentum through releases such as ‘-Thanatosis-‘, ‘STAIN’, and the six-minute epic ‘Suikyou to majiwaru kyouhakuteki kachikan’.
This November, DAMNED held their first European tour, JUKAI, bringing their explosive live show to audiences across the continent, including a final stop in London. The tour title, inspired by the dark and mysterious imagery of Japan’s “sea of trees”, plays off both the band’s aesthetic and their mindset as they venture into new territory overseas.
Ahead of the tour, Electric Bloom Webzine spoke with DAMNED about the meaning behind JUKAI, how they define their sound, their approach to songwriting and visuals, and the moments that shaped their growth as a band. They also discuss crossing genre boundaries, collaborating outside the music world, and their ambitions for the future.
Hello DAMNED! Could you take a moment to each introduce yourselves to our readers?
Kou.: I’m Kou., guitarist on stage right.
Suica: I’m Suica, guitarist on stage left.
Sakura: I’m Sakura, the bassist.
Masaya: I’m Masaya, the drummer.
Hitone: I’m Hitone, the vocalist.
This November marks your first Europe tour, JUKAI. What made you choose “JUKAI” — an image strongly tied to dark forests and mystery — as the theme for your overseas debut?
Kou.: When you think of Jukai, it brings to mind something ominous and mysterious. DAMNED is a band that matches that image perfectly, which is why we chose it.
Suica: We chose a title that would strongly convey a sense of Japan to people overseas.
Sakura: We compared stepping into Europe, an unexplored land for us, to entering the unknown territory of a jukai, which is why we chose this title.
Masaya: In Japan, jukai has an underground image. It’s a forest that grew on lava after Mount Fuji erupted, so I want to convey that sense of life force and power to everyone.
Hitone: Because we want this tour to be something that takes deep, wide root and becomes a memory that really sticks with people.
“In a good way, all five of us have different ways of thinking and different strengths, so I think listeners naturally pick up on that diversity”
– Suica, Guitar
Have any of you travelled to Europe before? Are there any places you’re excited to see?
Kou.: This will be my first time in Europe. From Japan, everything about Europe feels fresh and new to me, and more than anything, I’m looking forward to playing guitar while feeling the energetic spirit of the people there.
Suica: I’m really looking forward to seeing how the audience reacts at our shows.
Sakura: It will be my first time in Europe as well. I’m so excited that I can’t choose just one place.
Masaya: This will also be my first time in Europe. I want to experience the culture in every place we visit and really feel the history and traditions.
Hitone: It will be my first time visiting Europe. I want to see the natural landscapes in many different places.
DAMNED describes its style as visual kei loudcore. For readers who may not be familiar with the term, could you explain what makes your sound different from general metalcore or other heavy VK bands?
Kou.: Udon is light but full of flavour because of the broth, right? And curry is rich and intense, really satisfying. So what happens if you combine the two? You get curry udon — something that has the depth of the broth and the punch of curry. DAMNED’s music is like that, a combination of the best parts.
Suica: Simply put, I think DAMNED’s music takes the best elements of both metalcore and visual kei.
Sakura: I agree with Suica.
Masaya: One of DAMNED’s strengths is that our sound allows people to really feel emotion.
Hitone: I’d say it’s the vocals.
Your tracks are extremely dramatic, blending brutal vocals with melodic lines and shifting between darkness and more sombre moments. As artists, what draws you to this kind of emotional and dynamic songwriting?
Kou.: When I’m writing music, I think of each song as a single story. To be honest, unless a song is very catchy and short, a straightforward structure that’s heavy all the way through can get tiring and boring to listen to over time, at least for me (laughs).
That’s why with songs like ‘Suikyou~’, we make the heavy parts really heavy, and then properly pull things back where it needs space. I think that kind of contrast makes the listening experience more enjoyable. And when a beautiful melody sits on top of that, it can draw the listener into the world of the song, almost like they’re being pulled inside it.
Suica: It’s hard to put into words, but simply because that kind of music has always been part of my roots and what I naturally like.
Sakura: Because the songwriter and the vocalist are geniuses.
Masaya: We’re carrying on the will of “D”, after all!! Think back to Japanese bands whose names start with “D”. (laughs)
Hitone: I don’t write lyrics in a very direct way, so I intentionally create rises and falls through the melody instead.
“Whether it’s in Japan or abroad, I just want us to be the most successful — I’m greedy like that!”
– Sakura, Bass
How would you describe the creative strengths each member brings to DAMNED’s sound?
Kou.: Making the guitar sing. To me, the guitar is an instrument that carries emotion directly into sound.
Suica: In a good way, all five of us have different ways of thinking and different strengths, so I think listeners naturally pick up on that diversity.
Sakura: Being able to read the atmosphere around us.
Masaya: As a drummer, I place great importance on space and timing. There’s a Japanese saying, “aun no kokyū”, which describes understanding each other without words. I try to be conscious of that kind of unspoken connection, and of conveying it to the audience through the music.
Hitone: Singing in a way that feels good, while maintaining the same level of quality on recordings and in live performances.
DAMNED places a strong emphasis on visuals and atmosphere. When beginning a new song, what usually comes first — an image, a theme, a riff, or something else?
Kou.: First of all, I write songs with the goal of allowing our vocalist, Hitone, to fully show his potential. Whether it’s the key or the overall atmosphere, no matter how cool a song might be, it’s the vocalist who breathes life into it. So I always create songs with his strengths in mind.
As for structure, it depends on the song, but I’m very conscious of dynamics and contrast. Usually I write while singing or recording guitar parts, then build on that by programming the drums.
Suica: I place a lot of importance on having a melodic chorus, and on creating an intro that makes a strong impact right from the start.
Sakura: I don’t write songs myself, so I just trust the other members (laughs).
Masaya: If I were to write a song, I would always prioritise riffs and rhythm. I’d keep the theme hidden, but express it by scattering hints that listeners can discover. I want to write songs about why we live, and what we live for.
Hitone: A melody that feels good.
You’ve grown quickly over the last two years, from lineup changes to a sold-out first overseas show in Korea. What was the turning point where you collectively felt, “DAMNED is becoming something powerful”?
Kou.: I’d say our one-man show at Club Asia.
Suica: The Shibuya Club Asia show. Of course, that stage was made possible by the audience’s support, but at the same time, it was a moment when we really felt our own strength as a band.
Sakura: The one-man live at Club Asia.
Masaya: I feel it after every live show. Each time, when we step onto the stage for the next performance, there’s a version of DAMNED that’s different from anything before.
Hitone: The Club Asia show.
We’re seeing more VK bands gaining recognition as metal acts and appearing on festival lineups alongside Western genre counterparts. In Japan, is this kind of crossover between VK and the wider metal/metalcore scene becoming more common?
Kou.: Yes, it is.
Suica: I think so as well.
Sakura: The definition of “visual kei” is very broad, so I think bands that truly cross over are still only a small minority.
Masaya: Little by little, I do feel that happening.
Hitone: Trends play a role, but it does feel like it’s increasing.
“When growth stops, both people and bands begin to decay. My goal is to continue growing in every aspect — musically, visually, and in our overseas activities.”
– Masaya, Drums
What made you choose to build your identity within the visual kei scene rather than forming a more traditional metal or metalcore unit along the lines of Crystal Lake, Sable Hills, etc.?
Kou.: A big reason is simply that we all love visual kei.
Suica: Speaking personally, I’ve been strongly influenced by visual kei, and I can’t step on stage without makeup.
Sakura: Because I like visual kei.
Masaya: When I was a kid, the moment that truly shocked me was seeing visual kei bands. I can’t forget that impact, so I feel like I’m giving something back to the visual kei scene.
Hitone: Differences in personal taste and preferences.
Outside of music, what are each of your go-to hobbies?
Kou.: Motorcycles, anime, visiting pilgrimage sites from anime (seichi junrei), and drinking.
Suica: Quietly drinking alcohol. Searching for food that pairs well with drinks. Watching comedy. Spending time alone in my room is important to me.
Sakura: Watching films and going to the sauna.
Masaya: Games and gambling (pachinko and horse racing).
Hitone: Bugs.
“We want this tour to be something that takes deep, wide root and becomes a memory that really sticks with people.”
– Hitone, Vocals
Your collaboration with SANYU GIKEN — a company specialising in aluminium die-cast molds for the automotive industry — was unexpected for a visual kei metal band. What’s the story behind that partnership, and how did the collaboration come about?
Kou.: I’ve had a personal friendship with President Umemoto for about three years now, and even back then he was already a huge supporter of DAMNED.
Both of us enjoy drinking, so one time when we were having drinks together, I jokingly said, “Why don’t you invest in DAMNED?”. Then he replied, “Actually, I’ve been thinking about filming a commercial, would you like to appear in it?”. I thought it sounded interesting, so I said “OK!” on the spot (laughs).
Even though it all happened very spontaneously, I’m really glad the other members agreed as well (laughs). President Umemoto is truly one of the few men I deeply respect.
Suica: Kou. led us to a wonderful encounter.
Sakura: It’s thanks to Kou..
Masaya: The connection came through Kou.. We were able to present DAMNED just as we are.
Hitone: Thanks to Kou..
SANYU GIKEN X DAMNED, the 60 second commercial featuring the band’s single ‘STAIN’.
On YouTube, many overseas metal fans react to your songs without knowing much about visual kei. How does it feel to see listeners outside the VK community connecting with your music in their own way?
Kou.: I actually watch all of them (laughs).
Suica: I’m aware of them, and it makes me really happy.
Sakura: I like watching those videos, so please keep doing them!
Masaya: It makes me very happy that our music is being listened to beyond the boundaries of any single scene.
Hitone: I’m truly grateful.
“Udon is light but full of flavour… curry is rich and intense… You get curry udon — something that has the depth of the broth and the punch of curry. DAMNED’s music is like that, a combination of the best parts.”
– Koi., Guitar
Visual kei is said to be “in decline” in Japan, yet interest in the scene is rising in places like Europe and South America. What role do you hope DAMNED can play in the future of the scene, both domestically and abroad?
Kou.: We want to become a band that can energise and elevate the visual kei rock scene both in Japan and overseas.
Suica: I’m really happy that visual kei metal is gaining more attention overseas. Among those bands, I believe we stand out as one of the most intense and visually compelling acts.
Sakura: Whether it’s in Japan or abroad, I just want us to be the most successful — I’m greedy like that!
Masaya: It’s my destiny to give today’s kids, both in Japan and overseas, the same kind of shock I felt when I was a kid.
Hitone: I want us to become a band that makes people interested in Japan itself.
Looking ahead, what goals do you want DAMNED to achieve after the JUKAI tour — musically, visually, or in terms of global activity?
Kou.: We want to raise our profile both in Japan and overseas, and become a band that can tour major events and go on long-term tours.
Suica: On a personal level, my dream is to be able to make a living from music alone.
Sakura: We want to improve our standing and reputation both domestically and internationally, play one-man shows at larger venues, go on longer tours, and become a band that gets invited to festivals.
Masaya: To grow even bigger. When growth stops, both people and bands begin to decay. My goal is to continue growing in every aspect; musically, visually, and in our overseas activities. And the moment that becomes reality is when you, the person reading this, come to see DAMNED live.
Hitone: I want more people to feel that they want DAMNED to come back to Europe again.
DAMNED
DAEDRA
Release Date: 13/09/2025
Label: Independent
Stream: Spotify | Apple Music
