Versailles is a visual-kei band noted for their quick rise to international notoriety. The group was formed in March 2007 by singer KAMIJO and guitarist HIZAKI. Bassist Jasmine You, who had previously played with HIZAKI in HIZAKI Grace Project was soon drafted, and later the trio were joined by guitarists TERU and Yuki, who had played in the band bands Aikaryu and Sugar Trip, respectively, and who came recommended by the staff of Rock May Kan, the famed rock club in Tokyo's Meguro...

Versailles is a visual-kei band noted for their quick rise to international notoriety. The group was formed in March 2007 by singer KAMIJO and guitarist HIZAKI. Bassist Jasmine You, who had previously played with HIZAKI in HIZAKI Grace Project was soon drafted, and later the trio were joined by guitarists TERU and Yuki, who had played in the band bands Aikaryu and Sugar Trip, respectively, and who came recommended by the staff of Rock May Kan, the famed rock club in Tokyo's Meguro district. KAMIJO, the band's leader and main songwriter, grew up in a musical family, and had attained moderate success in a group called Lareine. After his experience in Lareine, KAMIJO decided that he wanted to maintain control of his career as much as possible, and started his own label, Sherow Artist Society.  Part of the band's vision is to aspire to beauty and extremes of aesthetics. Their influences are extremely varied and include Napalm Death, Paul Mauriet, Pantera and Dream Theater. The group's stage costumes are quite detailed, often quite girlish, recalling 18th century France. To further their plans, the band also teamed up with manager Mayumi Kojima, who previously worked with X guitarist hide. While the group was officially founded on March 30, 2007, they soon put together original songs, and after just over a month of existence had a video on You Tube. Interest in the group grew very quickly, and by May 2007 an article on the band had appeared in the newspaper Sankei Shimbun, they received coverage on German TV, and became a  top 5 search word on Yahoo Japan.  On June 23, 2007 the group played their first show, and soon after released their first single "The Revenant Chair", which also included a video. The band's debut album Lyrical Symphony was released October 31 of that year on their own label in Japan, and simultaneously in Germany on CLJ Records. Despite being on their own tiny indie label, the album went to #71 in the Oricon album charts. The surprising success of the group also led to more media coverage, including the cover of top Tokyo based English magazine Metropolis, and mention in the music business magazine Billboard. In April 2008 the band toured in Europe, and in May and June played shows in the States, including Project A-Kon in Dallas and the Knitting Factory in Los Angeles. Video of the band was also released in America on Maru Music's DVD compilation "Visual-kei Magazine Vol. 1".  On July 8, 2008, Versailles released their second album, Noble, which was released worldwide via iTunes. Later in the month the album was released in Japan, and again Versailles charted on Oricon. In August 2008 the band received notice from legal representatives of an obscure American artist already using the name "Versailles", which led to the band adopting the name Versailles Philharmonic Quintet for their activities in America. In December 2008, at Shibuya's CC Lemon Hall, their biggest headlining gig until the time, they announced that they had signed to Warner Music Japan, and that their major label debut would come in 2009. In the spring of 2009 the band did their last indie tour called "The Fragment Collectors".  In June 2009 they released the single "Ascendead Master", which was well-received. The recording of the album, however, went slower than expected, in part because the bass parts by Jasmine You had not been completed. Due to health concerns Jasmine You suspended activity with the band from August 3, until he could recover. Tragically however on August 9 he passed away. At this point the future of the band was in limbo as the members mourned the passing of their friend and contemplated the future of the band.  They decided to carry on, and made their comeback at the massive V-Rock Festival at Makuhari Messe with You from Matenrou Opera filling in on bass.  The band also resumed recording and have announced January 20, 2010 as the release for their long awaited major debut JUBILEE.  The band is also planning a world tour which will kick off February 28.