The Gazette

      The Gazette (ガゼット), stylized as the GazettE, is a Japanese visual kei band formed in early 2002. The band is currently signed to Sony Music Japan's VVV Records. In addition to being one of the most popular and influential bands in the visual kei scene within Japan, the GazettE has gained a large international following. The band has managed to break the mainstream music barrier of Japan and continues to be one of the leading bands on the Japanese Rock stage.

Music Style
      The Gazette's musical style varies greatly, but it is generally considered to be a form of rock music while delving into the genres of heavy metal found in songs like "Ogre." They have dabbled in alternative metal with the likes of "Taion", "The Invisible Wall" and "Hesitating Means Death" and they have also dabbled in nu metal with the likes of "Burial Applicant", "The True Murderous Intent" and "Agony". Other songs like "Silly God Disco" and "Swallowtail on the Death Valley" feature a funk metal sound with the use of jazzy chords and upbeat choruses. Other works such as "Leech" and "Hyena" feature a hard rock sound, "Red" and "Ito" feature a progressive rock sound, "Cockroach" and "Anti-pop" feature a punk rock sound, "Shiikureta Haru, Kawarenu Haru" and "Shiawase na Hibi" feature a glam rock sound and "Zakurogata no Yūutsu" and "Best Friends" feature a pop rock sound. "Filth in the Beauty" features female R&B vocals and bass, Spanish guitar with techno beat, crunchy metal riffs, harmonized choruses and a headbanging riff right in the middle - all within the same song. The songs "Maggots", "Discharge", "Headache Man" and "Maximum Impulse" dwell into heavier forms of music, in particular, metalcore and crossover thrash. The band also uses experimental metal sounds in songs like "666", "The Social Riot Machines" and "Mad Marble Hell Vision". There is also a sound reminiscent of the rap and hip-hop music scene present in their song "Defective Tragedy". The Gazette also uses a wide range of synthesized sounds during their songs to achieve interesting effects as well as create new listening dynamics and atmospheres. The Gazette is also known for utilizing various tunings to achieve a wide variety of sounds and styles. The Gazette has also produced a number of ballads such as "Reila", "Cassis", "Calm Envy", "Guren" and "Pledge".