Featured Idol Friday: Friday the 13th Mega Post

"Happy Friday the 13th" probably isn't a phrase you're used to. Apologies, then, for this month's Featured Idol Friday. Digging through the depths of the most intense and rebellious anti-idols out there, it was hard to decide who would get the honor of being this month's terrifying poster group for underground idols. You may remember that last month we had DEEP GIRL gracing our front page, which disqualifies them for this month of course. It's too bad, since they would have fit in nicely. Instead we made the decision to give a handful of groups the spotlight, groups who we found were horror-themed, creepy, or just plain unsettling.

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Kamen Joshi

It's hard to mention idols on Friday the 13th without bringing up the masked idols Kamen Joshi. Performing a mix of cutesy idol pop and heavy metal, these idols wear hockey masks at all times. Their bright colors and cheery music is known for taking dark turns down the path of hardcore underground music. While they bear many similarities to mainstream groups like BABYMETAL, it's their aesthetic which sets them apart and gives them a place in this article.

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Yukueshirezutsurezure

If their name alone isn't a horror story for our English-speaking audience, then maybe their debut MV will be. This group hangs heavily in the "unsettling" side of the spectrum, making sickeningly dark "yami-kawaii" music which gives you the chills even through the sweetly innocent vocals. When they break down in chaotic fury, it's one of the most surprising musical moments in recent memory. They were set to release their debut mini-album this week, but unfortunately had to postpone it due to losing a member. Instead, it's expected to be out at the end of the month.

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Zenbu Kimi no Sei Da.

You can't mention Yukueshirezutsurezure without their sister-group Zenbu Kimi no Sei Da, and vice-versa. This denpa-influenced idol group takes seriously dark turns into some of the most uncomfortable topics imaginable. Their recent couple of videos deal with depression, self-harm, and suicide in various ways. The first is tasteful and emotional, the second is wild and in-your-face. Enjoy!

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Guso Drop

We don't have a lot of information regarding this new idol group, but they're as dark and heavy as it gets. Aiming to be the most hardcore group around, they actively encourage stage-diving and crowd-lifting and mosh pits... All in an attempt to prove they're more hardcore than BiSH. I think they made their point quite clearly.

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Honorable Mentions

These groups don't really fit the theme, but deserve a mention due to their connection to the dark side of idol music. Whether it be their music or their image, something about each of these groups breaks the mold of the common idol. (only includes currently active idols!)

• BABYMETAL
  • The supreme overlords of metal idol music
• BiSH (see our previous FIF article on them here)
  • Punk rock idols following in the footsteps of BiS
• Oyasumi Hologram
  • Dream pop group with a slight dark side
• petit pas!
  • Pure metal idols
• Screaming Sixties
  • Idols backed by real-life punk band 6% is MINE
• DEEP GIRL (see our previous FIF article on them here)
  • Heavy metal idols with some of the most unsettling imagery in the game
• BILLIE IDLE (see our previous FIF article on them here)
  • Punk idols throwing it back to the 70s in the best way
• Maison book girl
  • Dream pop unit featuring a member of BiS
• Jun Togawa
  • The queen of dark idols, often credited as the founder of the movement
    

-Justin