YATANO KAMEN, a new visual kei band, have emerged—but their arrival comes wrapped in mystery. No names, no faces, no backstory. Just five masked figures and a single debut track.
The band’s lineup includes a vocalist, two guitarists, bassist, and drummer. All appear in traditional Japanese attire and masks modelled after the Yatagarasu—a mythical three-legged crow from Japanese folklore. The imagery ties directly to the band’s name, which translates to “Yatagarasu Mask” in English.
On March 31st, they unveiled their first song titled ‘KIBOU’ (‘Hope’) alongside a music video. The track features a fast and heavy beat along with aggressive twin guitars, thundering bass, traditional Japanese (wa/和) melodies, and haunting vocals switching between soaring highs and distorted growling.
The lyrics are fully in Japanese, but translated highlights include the lines “Tearing through the heavens to fly into eternity”, and “Even shrouded in sorrow, hope never dies”. Despite the heavy and unrelenting sound of the track, the words are full of hope and optimism.
The video never lingers on any member long enough to truly catch a glimpse of who they might be. A statement notes:
“This music video is a story of identity, loss, and the light we search for in the shadows. Even in the darkest moments, hope never dies.”
Plus, today, April 4th, the band will hold their very first in store event at littleHEARTS. Hibiya OKUROJI as part of the grand opening celebrations. Described as a full “JACK” of the venue in both presence and concept, the event will serve as a “shrine” where the public will first meet the band.
YATANO KAMEN continue their mysteriousness by announcing no tour dates, no releases, and holding no interviews. The band have no social media presence, no official website, and their music is currently not available on streaming platforms.
