Verde/ Unveils "Pale Black/" Single & 3rd Anniversary Tour
Shou’s solo project Verde/ is making waves with fresh material and an ambitious touring campaign. The Alice Nine. frontman’s experimental outfit has just revealed the visual artwork for their upcoming single “Pale Black/,” slated for November 4th release—and it’s the perfect moment to catch up on what makes this project such a compelling parallel universe to his main band work.
For those unfamiliar, Verde/ represents Shou’s space to explore sonic territory beyond Alice Nine.’s established sound. Where the latter operates in theatrical metal framework, Verde/ embraces a more progressive, genre-fluid approach—one that the new single exemplifies perfectly.
“Pale Black/” distills Shou’s creative evolution into a single statement. Built on propulsive metal instrumentation, the track weaves together piano and string arrangements that inject both opulence and melancholy into the composition. It’s ambitious without sacrificing accessibility—familiar enough for longtime fans yet ambitious enough to justify the project’s existence.
The single arrives in two formats: a limited edition edition (¥3,850) featuring a 16-page booklet and special case, plus a standard version (¥1,980). All versions include an instrumental version and an inverted remix alongside the main track. Streaming platforms get simultaneous access on release day.
The real event, however, is the 3rd Anniversary Tour “Pale Black/ BLACK DAWN,” launching November 15th across Japan. The lineup reads like a Visual Kei all-star session: guitarist 優介 and bassist 燿 from 摩天楼オペラ anchor the band, with drummer KEN’ICHI completing the core trio. Keyboardist KAZAMI from DaizyStripper joins specifically for the December 5th finale at Tokyo’s Spotify O-WEST—a deliberately stacked card to mark three years of Verde/’s existence.
Dates span from Kawagoe through December, with stops in Kyoto and Nagoya included. Tickets are live now at TicketDive, priced at ¥6,600 (plus separate drink charge).
This is essential viewing for anyone invested in where Shou’s artistry extends beyond Alice Nine.’s framework. Check Verde/’s official X, Instagram, and YouTube for tour updates and behind-the-scenes content leading up to November’s release.