On July 15, 2026, Japanese rock legends Kuroyume released their first-ever self-cover albums—simultaneous re-recordings of two classic works titled "Drug TReatment 2026" and "CORKSCREW 2026." To mark the occasion, a special webpage went live featuring heartfelt comments from seven of Japan's most influential rock artists, each sharing what Kuroyume's music has meant to them personally. If you've been curious about who spoke up and what they actually said, we've gathered the full picture here.
The lineup of artists offering their congratulations reads like a who's-who of modern Japanese rock: HYDE, SUGIZO, Takanori Nishikawa (T.M.Revolution), NOBUYA and N∀OKI of ROTTENGRAFFTY, Daisuke-han of Maximum the Hormone, and Tokyo Tanaka of MAN WITH A MISSION. Each comment went live on July 13, 2026 at 6:00 PM JST, giving fans a first glimpse of how deeply Kuroyume's three-decade legacy resonates across generations of musicians.
The Quick Version
- Kuroyume released two retake albums—"Drug TReatment 2026" and "CORKSCREW 2026"—on July 15, 2026, marking their first full self-cover project.
- Seven prominent artists contributed comments to a special webpage launched July 13, 2026, celebrating the band's over-30-year career.
- The commenters include HYDE, SUGIZO, Takanori Nishikawa, members of ROTTENGRAFFTY, Daisuke-han (Maximum the Hormone), and Tokyo Tanaka (MAN WITH A MISSION).
- Comments combine congratulations, personal memories, and first reactions to hearing the re-recorded tracks.
- The special webpage notes this is the "first batch" of artist comments, hinting at more tributes to come.
Who Shared Their Thoughts and Why It Matters
The artists who contributed comments aren't random well-wishers—they represent different corners of Japan's rock landscape, from visual kei pioneers to modern alternative metal acts. According to the official statement, each of these seven artists has a meaningful connection to Kuroyume, whether through shared history, direct influence, or mutual respect built over years in the scene. The comments themselves touch on Kuroyume's role in shaping Japanese rock for over three decades, a timeline that places the band's origins in the early-to-mid 1990s when visual kei was gaining mainstream momentum.
HYDE, best known as the vocalist of L'Arc~en~Ciel and a solo artist in his own right, is among those whose careers have paralleled Kuroyume's trajectory through the Japanese rock world. His presence on the comment list underscores the mutual respect that exists among the veterans of the 1990s visual kei movement. Similarly, SUGIZO—guitarist for LUNA SEA and X JAPAN—represents another pillar of that era, and his involvement highlights how Kuroyume's influence extends across the major acts that defined a generation.
Takanori Nishikawa (known to many as T.M.Revolution) brings his own perspective as someone who has collaborated and shared stages with Kuroyume over the years. His comments reportedly include personal episodes that reveal the depth of his relationship with the band. This isn't the first time Nishikawa has appeared in Kuroyume-related content—he was also featured in interview projects tied to the band's earlier work, suggesting a longstanding friendship and creative kinship.
From the newer generation, NOBUYA and N∀OKI of ROTTENGRAFFTY represent the modern melodic hardcore and alternative rock scene that grew up listening to bands like Kuroyume. Their comments reportedly convey admiration from artists who came of age with Kuroyume's music as a touchstone. Daisuke-han, the intense vocalist of Maximum the Hormone, adds yet another dimension—his band's chaotic, genre-blending approach has roots in the experimental spirit that Kuroyume helped normalize in Japanese rock decades ago.
Rounding out the list is Tokyo Tanaka from MAN WITH A MISSION, the masked rock outfit that has become one of Japan's biggest international exports in recent years. His inclusion shows that Kuroyume's reach extends even to bands whose sound and presentation differ markedly from the visual kei tradition—a testament to how foundational Kuroyume's work has been across multiple subgenres.
What the Comments Actually Cover
The official description of the comments gives us a clear sense of their content, even if the full texts live only on the special webpage. Each artist's contribution reportedly includes three core elements: congratulations on the album release, expressions of respect for Kuroyume's 30-plus-year journey at the forefront of Japanese rock, and honest first impressions after listening to the new self-cover recordings. Additionally, many of the comments include personal anecdotes—specific moments or memories that illustrate the individual artist's connection to Kuroyume's music or members.
These aren't brief, generic shout-outs. The wording in the official statement suggests each comment offers genuine reflection: what these specific songs or albums meant at different points in the artists' lives, how hearing them re-recorded felt, or what Kuroyume's continued activity represents in a music industry that has changed dramatically since the band's early days. For fans, this kind of commentary is valuable precisely because it comes from peers who understand the craft—people who know what it takes to sustain a career and creative vision for three decades.
The fact that the full comments are hosted on a dedicated special webpage (rather than summarized in press releases) tells us they're substantial enough to warrant a proper platform. It also signals that Kuroyume and their team view this album release as more than just a product drop—it's an opportunity to map the band's influence through the words of those they've inspired and walked alongside.
Why Kuroyume Is Re-Recording These Specific Albums
Self-cover albums—where a band re-records its own past work—aren't a universal tradition, but in Japanese rock they serve a particular purpose. For Kuroyume, choosing to fully re-record two of their classic albums allows the band to revisit those songs with the perspective, technique, and production resources they have in 2026. The official site describes "Drug TReatment" and "CORKSCREW" as masterpieces, two albums that clearly hold special significance in the band's catalog and in the memories of their audience.
We don't have detailed liner notes or production breakdowns from the research available, so we can't say exactly how the 2026 versions differ sonically from the originals. What we do know is that this marks Kuroyume's first time undertaking such a project—suggesting that these albums feel particularly ripe for reinterpretation, or that the band has reached a point where they want to document how their relationship to these songs has evolved. For longtime fans, hearing familiar material through the filter of the band's current abilities and vision is an invitation to experience those songs anew, while also appreciating the arc the band has traveled.
A Broader Network of Artists Tied to Kuroyume
The seven artists featured in this first batch of comments are part of a much larger web of musicians connected to Kuroyume. Past projects, including interview content related to other Kuroyume releases, have featured an even wider roster: MIYAVI, INORAN, RUKI, and others appear in content associated with the band's discography and documentary work. The recurring presence of names like HYDE, SUGIZO, and Takanori Nishikawa across multiple Kuroyume projects over the years points to relationships that go back decades and that have remained active through lineup changes, solo careers, and the natural drift that time brings.
This network isn't just professional courtesy—it reflects the tight-knit nature of the Japanese rock scene at the time Kuroyume and these other acts were emerging. Many of these musicians played the same circuits, shared stages, and navigated the same industry challenges in the 1990s. That shared history creates bonds that endure, and it's part of what makes these comments meaningful: they're not endorsements from distant admirers, but reflections from people who were there, who saw what Kuroyume accomplished up close, and who built their own paths in parallel.
What We're Still Waiting to Learn
The official statement describes this as the "first batch" of artist comments, language that clearly signals more are on the way. We don't yet know who else will contribute, when additional comments will be posted, or how many artists will ultimately participate. Given the stature of those already featured, it's reasonable to expect the next wave will continue the pattern of drawing from Kuroyume's extended musical family—possibly including younger acts or artists from adjacent genres who have cited Kuroyume as an influence.
We also don't have full details on the albums themselves beyond the fact that they're complete re-recordings. Specific tracklists, whether any guest musicians appear, how the arrangements differ from the originals, and what the recording process was like—all of that remains to be explored in interviews, reviews, or deeper dives once fans have spent time with the music. The focus of this launch moment, though, has clearly been on framing the release as a celebration of legacy and community, which is exactly what these artist comments accomplish.
What People Are Saying
"Seeing HYDE and SUGIZO both comment on this really drives home how big Kuroyume was in shaping that whole era of Japanese rock. These aren't just casual nods—this is respect from the top."
"I love that they included Daisuke-han and Tokyo Tanaka alongside the visual kei legends. It shows Kuroyume's influence crosses generations and genres—they're not stuck in the past."
"The fact that this is only the 'first batch' of comments makes me wonder who else is going to show up. There are so many artists Kuroyume has touched over 30 years—this could get really interesting."
"I went to the special page and read all the comments in full. Each one is personal and specific—not just generic praise. You can tell these artists really thought about what they wanted to say."
"Hearing that Takanori Nishikawa shared actual episodes and memories is exactly what I wanted from this. Those stories are what make a release like this more than just a product—it's a living history."
Frequently Asked Questions
When were the Kuroyume retake albums released?
Both "Drug TReatment 2026" and "CORKSCREW 2026" were released simultaneously on July 15, 2026. They represent Kuroyume's first full self-cover albums, re-recording two classic works from their catalog.
Where can I read the full artist comments?
The complete text of each artist's comment is available on the official special webpage set up for the retake album release. The first batch of seven comments went live on July 13, 2026 at 6:00 PM JST.
Who are the artists featured in the first comment batch?
The initial round includes HYDE, SUGIZO, Takanori Nishikawa (T.M.Revolution), NOBUYA and N∀OKI of ROTTENGRAFFTY, Daisuke-han of Maximum the Hormone, and Tokyo Tanaka of MAN WITH A MISSION—seven artists total.
Will there be more artist comments added later?
Yes. The official announcement describes this as the "first batch" of comments, clearly indicating that additional artists will contribute their thoughts in future updates. The timing and names of those artists have not yet been announced.
Why did Kuroyume re-record these particular albums?
While the official materials describe "Drug TReatment" and "CORKSCREW" as masterpieces from Kuroyume's catalog, the specific artistic or technical reasons for choosing these two albums for the band's first-ever self-cover project haven't been detailed publicly. What's clear is that these albums hold significant weight in the band's legacy.
Looking Ahead: What This Moment Represents
The release of "Drug TReatment 2026" and "CORKSCREW 2026" on July 15, 2026, and the launch of the accompanying special webpage with artist tributes, mark more than just a new product in Kuroyume's discography. They represent a deliberate reflection on three decades of work and influence—a chance for the band and the community around them to take stock of what Kuroyume's music has meant, not just to fans, but to the artists who have carried that influence forward into their own careers. With more comments promised in future updates, we'll continue to see just how far and wide Kuroyume's impact has spread across Japanese rock and beyond.
For fans who have followed Kuroyume since the beginning or who discovered them later, these artist comments offer something valuable: context, validation, and connection. They remind us that great music doesn't exist in isolation—it ripples outward, shaping the people who hear it and the artists who build on it. As we listen to these re-recorded albums and read the words of those who have been shaped by Kuroyume's work, we're part of that ongoing conversation, one that has been decades in the making and shows no sign of ending.
