is a Japanese
heavy metal band from
Chiba, formed in 1982 by drummer
Yoshiki and lead vocalist
Toshi. Predominantly a
power/
speed metal band with heavy
symphonic elements, they later gravitated towards a
progressive sound with an emphasis on ballads. Besides being one of the first Japanese acts to achieve mainstream success while on an independent label, the group is widely credited as one of the pioneers of
visual kei, a movement among Japanese musicians comparable to Western
glam.