Visual kei supergroup DRUGS have unveiled their 2nd music video, ‘Baku’, released on January 23rd.
‘Baku’, taking its name from a mythical being said to devour nightmares, sees DRUGS move in a more harmonious direction compared to the discordant and heavily distorted feel of previous releases, while still retaining their edge.
The video takes place in a red-lit warehouse, with the band performing around a fully bandaged body suspended from the ceiling. Frontman Tsuzuku ignites the body using a ritualistic book, before later performing fire breathing.
Working alongside VESPER, bassist Wataru Shindo’s ropework features heavily in the video, as it did in their first release, ‘NEW ORDER’. Produced by crap dolly and shot practically, the video stands out amid the growing number of AI-generated visuals currently circulating.
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Additionally, drummer Yoshiatsu addressed fans’ concerns via Instagram Stories regarding his attire in the video; wearing only a fetish dog mask and shorts, with the word “DOG” painted on his naked torso. Some fans reportedly messaged the band’s Instagram account worried that he’d been forced into the outfit. Yoshiatsu quickly dismissed this, first jokingly with a story repeating “wan wan wan” (woof woof woof), and later with a more detailed explanation.
He reassured fans that he chose this outfit himself, and that each member chooses what they want to wear.
“Apparently someone DM’d a DRUGS member saying “I can’t believe you let Yoshiatsu dress up like a dog!” lol
But don’t worry.
Anything I express as part of the band is always done by my own idea and my own choice.
I hate being told what to do more than anything in the world, so that kind of situation would never happen. If anything, as written in the credits, I am the producer of DRUGS.
In terms of authority, I am at the very top.
What I really want you to know is this.
With DRUGS, the other members do not know what the others are going to wear until the day of the shoot.
We do not have costume meetings.
Once the shooting date is decided, everyone independently decides what they want to wear, and on that day, they just show up wearing it.
We choose this style on purpose.
Because that is what a band is supposed to be.
I am honestly tired of Visual Kei outfits where everyone looks the same no matter who wears them.
Bands should be more free.
Also, just to be clear, I have absolutely no problem with homosexuality, but I am not gay.
So if anyone thought that, sorry if I got your hopes up.
All you have to do is think,
“Maybe this is a bit provocative?”
and then stand on stage wearing that.
That’s all there is to it.”
Along with Yoshiatsu, the rest of the band also appear with new looks in the video.
On December 30th, DRUGS released back-to-back singles ‘Flesh and Halo’ and ‘Carved in Alma’, bringing their total to six releases within a single month. ‘Baku’, whilst not an official single, marks their 8th release to date. The track is yet to drop across streaming services, but all previous singles are available now.
