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Dir en grey

 
Artist: Dir en Grey
Home > Library > Entertainment & Arts > Pop Artists

Group Members:

Shinya, Toshiya, Die, Kaoru, Kyo

Similar Artists:

Malice Mizer, D'espairsRay, Alice Nine, Opiate for the Masses, Gackt, Hide, Korn, Powerman 5000, Marilyn Manson

Influenced By:

X-Japan
See Dir en Grey Lyrics
  • Formed: 1997, Japan
  • Genres: Rock
  • Representative Albums: "Uroboros," "Marrow of a Bone," "Withering to Death"

Biography

Dir en Grey have risen to become the top band of the post-visual kei era, especially for the Western audience -- in the 2000s they were arguably the most successful metal act without English lyrics since Rammstein (though not rivaling the popularity of the Germans). The band began as a visual kei collective, too, but gradually moved to more reserved and darker attires and a separate sound that leaned on gothic rock, death metal, and the likes of Korn and Slipknot.

Dir en Grey was formed in early 1997, essentially being the indie collective La:Sadies with a new bassist -- Toshiya -- and a new name that was supposed to carry no other meaning than to designate the band. They started off with the EP Missa (1997) that failed to stir things up a lot, but soon made themselves the talk of the country's music scene by becoming the first indie band to break into the Oricon singles Top Ten -- and doing it twice, with Jealous and I'll in 1998. That brought them into the right hands: they attracted Yoshiki Hayashi, the drummer of the nation's prime metal act X-Japan and the foster-father of many a J-rock band, thanks to his label Extasy Records. Yoshiki produced all five singles that Dir en Grey released in 1999, and that propelled the band into the big leagues: after these singles were released as their debut album Gauze, Dir en Grey got signed by a major label.

The second album, Macabre (2000), first signaled a drift from the visual kei roots, living up to its name in mood and featuring an industrialized sound with screaming vocals. Following their first foreign tour in China, Taiwan, and South Korea, and another LP Kisou, in 2002 (number three on Japanese charts), Dir en Grey opted for more change: their EP Six Ugly (2002) drew heavily on Western metal influences, which upset part of their older fanbase. Still, the band persisted, exploring the metalcore sound and the darker side of life on their albums Vulgar (2003, number six on the Oricon charts) and Withering to Death (2005, number eight on the Oricon charts). Those releases proved that the stylistic change had some merit, as Dir en Grey began to gain recognition in the Western hemisphere. In 2005 they charted in Europe for the first time, Withering to Death reaching number 31 in Finland (their single "Clever Sleazoid" would later rise to number 15 there). The band's popularity was initially founded on imports, web rumors, and illegal downloads, but that proved to be enough: in 2005 they debuted in Berlin and Paris and later played the German festivals Rock Am Ring and Rock Im Park. Withering to Death was released in Europe in November 2005, and in America in March 2006, preceding Dir en Grey's live U.S. debut in 2006. Soon after that, Kyo's vocal chords gave in to strain, leaving the man hospitalized, but he recovered in time for the Korn's Family Values Tour, in which Dir en Grey participated.

The band's sixth full album The Marrow of a Bone was out in 2007, released in both Japan and America (it reached number seven on the Oricon charts), and Dir en Grey promoted it by touring the U.S., opening for Deftones on some of their shows. They also infiltrated Europe further, debuting in Denmark, Finland, Poland, Sweden, U.K., Holland, and Switzerland. Not forgetting their core audience, Dir en Grey toured Japan as well, delivering a two-night show with Linkin Park, and doing a stint at the Hide memorial concert that also saw the appearance of X-Japan and Luna Sea, among others. The fall of 2008 saw the release of the seventh album, Uroboros, in Japan and America, followed by a U.S./Canada tour in November and December. ~ Alexey Eremenko, All Music Guide
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Wikipedia: Dir en grey
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Home > Library > Miscellaneous > Wikipedia
Dir en grey
Origin Osaka, Japan
Genres Rock
Metal
Various
Years active 1997–present
Labels Firewall Div./SMEJ (JP)
Okami (EU)
The End Records (US)
Website www.direngrey.co.jp
Members
Kyo
Kaoru
Die
Toshiya
Shinya

Dir en grey (ディル・アン・グレイ Diru An Gurei?) is a Japanese band formed in 1997 and currently signed to Firewall Div., a sub-division of Free-Will. As of 2008, they have recorded seven full-length records and while the group's lineup has remained consistent since its inception, numerous stylistic changes have made its music's genre difficult to determine (though it is generally considered to be a form of rock music). Originally associated with Japan's visual kei movement, the band has opted for less flamboyant attire in recent years.[1][2]

Dir en grey has toured through Asia, Europe and North America;[3][4] Billboard commenting on the group's international fanbase, that the band "has transcended the language barrier in the United States through its music" and "gained its audience without singing in English".[5]

Contents

History

1997–1999: Early career

Dir en grey was preceded by the independent band La:Sadie's which included four of Dir en grey's later members before it disbanded.[6][7] After parting ways with La:Sadie's bassist Kisaki, Kyo, Kaoru, Die and Shinya along with newly recruited bassist Toshiya regrouped as a new band on February 2, 1997[8][9] and released a first EP, Missa, a few months later. According to guitarist Kaoru, the name "Dir en grey" was chosen because it "sounded right," and is composed of words from several languages, so that people would not be able to attach a specific meaning to it other than the band's name itself. [10][1]

They first attracted mainstream attention in 1998, by entering the top ten on the Oricon music charts with the still independently produced songs "Jealous" and "-I'll-".[3][11] Five subsequent singles, arranged and produced by X Japan co-founder Yoshiki Hayashi, were published during the first half of 1999, the band's first full-length record, Gauze, followed. One of the shows in support for the album (filmed at the Osaka-jo Hall) would later become the first of several live concerts to be released on VHS and DVD.

2000–2004: From Macabre to Vulgar

In 2000 vocalist Kyo was hospitalized with hearing trouble and several dates of the tour in support of Dir en grey's then upcoming album, Macabre, had to be postponed. "Tour 00 >> 01 Macabre" eventually took off later the same year and was concluded at Nippon Budokan, shortly after the release of the single "Ain't Afraid to Die" in April 2001.

In the following year, along with the release of a third full-length album, Kisou, Dir en grey gave their first performances abroad, touring China, Taiwan, and South Korea.[12] Back in Japan, the last dates of the lengthy "Rettou Gekishin Angya" tour were already in support for the band's second EP, Six Ugly. In summer 2003, Dir en grey performed at the Akasaka Blitz for five evenings in one week. Each show (except the first) was themed after a certain album, the last featuring songs from the then yet to be released Vulgar. A DVD set, titled Blitz 5 Days, was later released exclusively for members of the band's official fan club, A Knot. Vulgar released in September 2003, tours in support for the record would last well into 2004.[13][14]

2005–2006: Early non-Asian touring

Kyo, Performing live at Rock im Park in 2006

In 2005, Dir en grey performed in Europe for the first time. Their concerts in Berlin and Paris (as part of the "It Withers and Withers" tour) sold out without promotion, save for newsletters by import record stores and internet-based word of mouth.[4] The band also performed at two major festivals, Rock am Ring and Rock im Park. Becoming more involved with the international music scene, they had French band Eths open for them at the Paris concert and invited American musician Wednesday 13 and his band to play at a show in Japan. Dir en grey also appeared at the Japanese leg of the "Taste of Chaos" tour.[15]

2005 saw the first official European releases as well, in the form of that year's album Withering to Death. The band's music had previously been available to fans not living in Asia through means of import and Internet file-sharing only. The album also managed to achieve Dir en grey's first non-Asian chart position, reaching #31 in the Finnish album charts. The subsequent single, "Clever Sleazoid", later climbed to #15 on the singles charts in the same country.[16] Several Dir en grey songs were also featured in the soundtrack of the 2005 film Death Trance.[17]

In early 2006 touring was expanded to the United States. The band performed in Austin, Texas (South by Southwest festival), New York City (Avalon Club) and Los Angeles, California (Wiltern Theatre), followed by the North American release of Withering to Death. Again, all shows sold out within days.[18] and Billboard Magazine commented that Dir en grey "ignited frenzied response with its first three U.S. shows".[5] After more concerts and festival appearances in Germany during the summer, singer Kyo was again hospitalized, due to inflamed vocal cords. While two concert dates in Japan had to be postponed, Dir en grey was still able to join Korn's Family Values Tour.[19] In October, the band was back in Japan to perform at the Loudpark Festival, along with bands such as Megadeth, Slayer and Children of Bodom.[20] Their 22nd single, "Agitated Screams of Maggots" was released on November 15, during the Japanese leg of the Inward Scream tour. On December 30, the music video for "Saku" was voted the #1 video of the year on the MTV2 show Headbanger's Ball.[21]

2007-present: The Marrow of a Bone and Uroboros

In February, Dir en grey went on its first North American headlining tour, visiting seventeen cities[22] while its sixth full-length album, The Marrow of a Bone, was released on February 7 in Japan, and in the United States and Europe in the following months. From May to July, the group opened during a United States tour of Deftones[23] and afterwards did another European tour, which included their debut shows in Denmark, Finland, Poland, Sweden and the United Kingdom, as well as several festival performances across the continent, including Ankkarock, M'era Luna Festival and Wacken Open Air.[24]

The group went on another international tour in September, titled after its most recent single "Dozing Green", beginning in Japan, and continuing in Europe, including their first performance in The Netherlands and Switzerland.[24] In late November, Dir en grey opened two shows for Linkin Park at Saitama Super Arena and in December performed another Japan tour with 10 Years as support act.[24] Commemorating Dir en grey's tenth anniversary as a band, two greatest hits compilations, titled Decade 1998-2002 and Decade 2003-2007 respectively, were released on December 19.

At the beginning of 2008, Dir en grey announced plans to begin recording a new studio album...[25] Their first touring of the year, in May, was another Japan tour with a conclusion of three shows at Shinkiba Studio Coast, titled Death over Blindness.[26] Between touring, Dir en grey performed on one night of the two-night Hide Memorial Summit on May 4, alongside X Japan, Luna Sea, and others.[27] A second Japanese tour, titled Tour 08 The Rose Trims Again began September 10 the same day as the release of their recent single "Glass Skin".[28]

On August 1, Dir en grey announced the release of their seventh studio album, Uroboros,[29] which was released on November 11, 2008 in the United States. The band also toured the United States and Canada in support of the album[30][31] with dates scheduled for November and December (overlapping the release of Uroboros)[32], with opening act The Human Abstract. More touring that fall included a series of four shows titled "Bajra", two being fan-club exclusive, and a single show on December 29, under the moniker "Uroboros -Breathing-", at the famous Osaka-jo Hall where Dir en grey had not performed since December 18, 1999 (as seen on 1999.12.18 Osakajo Hall).

Beginning in 2009, Dir en grey made their first thorough tour of the United Kingdom and Ireland with Kerrang!'s "Relentless Tour '09" alongside Mindless Self Indulgence, Bring Me The Horizon, Black Tide and In Case Of Fire. In February, the band announced the public release of a new live DVD, Tour 08 The Rose Trims Again, as well as switching European record labels to the newly founded Okami Records, a sister label of their former European representation, Gan-Shin.

During spring of 2009, the band began to fully promote Uroboros with a series of nationwide tours, under the title "Tour 09 Feast of V Senses." The tour was interrupted briefly while in Sapporo and Sendai, with an announcement on the band's official website, explaining that Kyo had been diagnosed with edema of the larynx, and would require the postponement of three shows, which were rescheduled for early May.[33]

Currently, Dir en grey is on tour in Europe, with a mixture of festival performances, headlining shows, and one co-headlining show with Killswitch Engage. The festival performances include their third appearances at Rock am Ring and Rock im Park, as well as their initial concerts at Download Festival, Nova Rock and Metaltown. Among the headlining shows, Dir en grey are also making debut concerts in Italy and the Czech Republic.

After several shows of their late-summer tour, "All Visible Things," Dir en grey announced their next single for December, "Hageshisa to, Kono Mune no Naka de Karamitsuita Shakunetsu no Yami", as well as a North American and South American tour also under the title "All Visible Things."

Style and subject matter
"Cage"
from the album Gauze
Problems listening to this file? See media help.
"Bottom of the Death Valley"
from the album Kisou
Problems listening to this file? See media help.
"Obscure"
from the album Vulgar
Problems listening to this file? See media help.
"Clever Sleazoid"
from the album The Marrow of a Bone
Problems listening to this file? See media help.

Dir en grey's format has been subject to change throughout their career, initially being a rather experimental form of alternative rock. Some tracks of their debut album Gauze also demonstrated a distinct pop appeal, which was largely dropped in favor of a more progressive sound on the following albums, Macabre and Kisou. While up to that point some songs had already been more fast-paced, raw and aggressive than others, the band's music took a decisive turn with the release of the EP Six Ugly, from then on sporting more metal influences in general. Dir en grey's style has since gravitated towards riffs and song structures more along the lines of contemporary North American fusion genres, such as nu metal and metalcore, though their latest album, Uroboros, sees them return to the more experimental and oriental sound of their earlier albums. Since its release many sources have begun classifying Dir en grey as progressive metal. In a review of their sixth full length album, The Marrow of a Bone, allmusic comments on their evolution and diversity, saying:

“ The band's sound has embraced tendencies of American metal and nu metal (they participated in Korn's Family Values tour in America), and Dir en Grey bring so many other sonic and musical elements into the mix that they extend not only the reach of their own music, but the boundaries of any music they happen to incorporate into their sound. ”
 
— Thom Jurek, Allmusic[3]

Kyo's singing is considered a pivotal aspect of the band, and he has gained recognition for his distinctive vocal work and for his large range and versatility, being able to "howl, croon, emote cleanly, scream, shriek, growl, bellow, and make nearly inhuman sounds"[3], and he has been compared favorably to singer and avant garde musician Mike Patton[34]. In their review of Uroboros, Sputnik Music says only of Kyo's singing, "I challenge you to find one singer in any genre with more range than this guy."[35] All lyrics are written by Kyo and deal with subjects such as society, mass media as well as sexual obsessions and love, usually with negative implications. The vocabulary varies from subtle to explicit and several songs rely heavily on double entendres and other wordplay, often involving the multiple meanings of a kanji character.[36]

Members

As with numerous other Japanese bands, the members of Dir en grey are credited with their given or stage name, the names of Kyo (京?) and Kaoru (薫) usually being written in kanji.

Discography

Main article: Dir en grey discography

References

  1. ^ a b Mascia, Mike. "Dir en grey feature interview". Blistering. http://www.blistering.com/fastpage/fpengine.php/link/1/templateid/12842/tempidx/5/menuid/3. Retrieved 2007-08-07. 
  2. ^ Brannigan, Paul (2008-11-19), "The Perfect Stranger", Kerrang!: pp. 42–43, http://www2.kerrang.com/2008/11/kerrang_magazine_19112008.html 
  3. ^ a b c d Jurek, Thom. "The Marrow of a Bone review". allmusic.com. http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=10:ehjw7iang75r~T1. Retrieved 2007-08-07. 
  4. ^ a b Reesman, Brian (2006-11-30). ""Kabuki Rock"". grammy.com. http://www.grammylive.com/Latin/News/Default.aspx?newsID=2278. Retrieved 2007-09-24. 
  5. ^ a b Titus, Christa (2006-04-17). "Underground Support Brings Dir En Grey to Forefront". Billboard. http://www.billboard.com/bbcom/feature/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1002345276. Retrieved 2007-11-05. 
  6. ^ "Dir En Grey". Spirit of Metal. http://www.spirit-of-metal.com/groupe-groupe-Dir_En_Grey-l-en.html. Retrieved 2009-06-14. 
  7. ^ Cage (2009-06-11). "Dir en grey". Jame World. http://www.jame-world.com/us/database-artists-overview-44-dir-en-grey.html. 
  8. ^ "1997 timeline". direngrey.co.jp. http://www.direngrey.co.jp/english/e-timeline/1997.html. Retrieved 2007-08-07. 
  9. ^ "All about Dir en grey", Yarouze (TJ Mook): p. 23, 1999-10-02, ISBN 978-4796616133 
  10. ^ Smith, Steven (1999-10-02), Steven's Untitled Rock Show, Fuse TV 
  11. ^ "Single chart positions". oricon.co.jp. http://www.oricon.co.jp/artists/s/6902/. Retrieved 2007-08-07. 
  12. ^ "2002 timeline". direngrey.co.jp. http://www.direngrey.co.jp/english/e-timeline/2002.html. Retrieved 2007-08-07. 
  13. ^ "2003 timeline". direngrey.co.jp. http://www.direngrey.co.jp/english/e-timeline/2003.html. Retrieved 2007-08-07. 
  14. ^ "2004 timeline". direngrey.co.jp. http://www.direngrey.co.jp/english/e-timeline/2004.html. Retrieved 2007-08-07. 
  15. ^ "2005 timeline". direngrey.co.jp. http://direngrey.co.jp/english/e-timeline/2007.html. Retrieved 2008-07-07. 
  16. ^ "Finnish chart positions". finnishcharts.com. http://finnishcharts.com/showinterpret.asp?interpret=Dir+en+Grey. Retrieved 2008-07-07. 
  17. ^ "Credits for Death Trance". imdb.com. http://imdb.com/title/tt0443737/fullcredits. Retrieved 2007-08-07. 
  18. ^ La Franco, Robert. ""Japanese Invasion"". wired.com. http://www.wired.com/wired/archive/14.08/posts.html?pg=2. Retrieved 2007-08-07. 
  19. ^ "Family Values Tour 2006 lineup announcement". blabbermouth.net. 2006-04-18. http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=51141. Retrieved 2007-08-07. 
  20. ^ "Loud Park 2006 lineup". loudpark.com. http://www.loudpark.com/06/index.html. Retrieved 2007-08-07. 
  21. ^ Bowar, Chad. "The Marrow of a Bone review". about.com. http://heavymetal.about.com/od/cdreviews/fr/direngreymarrow.htm. Retrieved 2007-08-07. 
  22. ^ "Inward Scream U.S. leg announcement". blabbermouth.net. 2006-11-11. http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=62008. Retrieved 2007-08-07. 
  23. ^ "Deftones tour dates announcement". blabbermouth.net. 2006-02-20. http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=69086. Retrieved 2007-08-07. 
  24. ^ a b c "2007 timeline". direngrey.co.jp. http://direngrey.co.jp/english/e-timeline/2007.html. Retrieved 2008-02-06. 
  25. ^ "Planet-Loud interview". planet-loud.com. http://www.planet-loud.com/v6/interview.php?interview_id=1078&bandname=Dir%20En%20Grey. Retrieved 2007-12-03. 
  26. ^ "Death over Blindness tour information" (in Japanese). direngrey.co.jp. http://direngrey.co.jp/tour.html. Retrieved 2008-02-06. 
  27. ^ "Hide Memorial Summit information" (in Japanese). hide-city.com. http://www.hide-city.com/mcontents/special/080407_summit/. Retrieved 2008-04-29. 
  28. ^ "Tour 08 The Rose Trims Again announcement". direngrey.co.jp. http://www.direngrey.co.jp/english/e-information.html. Retrieved 2008-06-12. 
  29. ^ "Uroboros announcement". direngrey.co.jp. http://direngrey.co.jp/uroboros.html. Retrieved 2008-08-01. 
  30. ^ "DIR EN GREY、シングル「GLASS SKIN」に続き、約2年ぶりとなるニュー・アルバム『UROBOROS』が発売決定！" (in Japanese) (News update). music.yahoo.co.jp. Yahoo Japan Corporation. 2008-08-01. pp. 1. http://music.yahoo.co.jp/music_news/d/20080801-00000000-cdj-musi. Retrieved 2008-08-01. 
  31. ^ "DIR EN GREY、「GLASS SKIN」に続き、新アルバム『UROBOROS』" (in Japanese) (News article). barks.jp. Aitimedia, Inc.. 2008-08-02. pp. 1. http://www.barks.jp/news/?id=1000042249. Retrieved 2008-08-05. 
  32. ^ Jacob. "Dir en grey North America Tour" (in English) (News archive). jame-world.com. Asian Music Entertainment. pp. 1. http://jame-world.com/us/news.php?archive=08/2008#34536. Retrieved 2008-08-12. 
  33. ^ "POSTPONEMENT OF SENDAI & SAPPORO SHOWS". direngrey.co.jp. http://www.direngrey.co.jp/english/0406.html. 
  34. ^ "Uroboros > Review". http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=10:kxfyxzlkld6e~T1. 
  35. ^ "Dir en grey - Uroboros Review". sputnikmusic. http://www.sputnikmusic.com/review_27998. 
  36. ^ Stewart, Brian; Sakuma, Takako. "Lyrics translations with notes". centigrade-j.com. http://web.archive.org/web/20070324061146/www.centigrade-j.com/translations/direngrey.htm. Retrieved 2007-08-07. 

External links

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v • d • e
Dir en grey
Kyo · Kaoru · Die · Toshiya · Shinya
Albums
EPs
Compilations
Singles
"Jealous" · "-I'll-" · "Akuro no Oka" · "Yurameki" · "-Zan-" · "Cage" · "Yokan" · "Myaku" · "[KR] Cube" · "Taiyou no Ao" · "Ain't Afraid to Die" · "Filth" · "Jessica" · "Embryo" · "Child Prey" · "Drain Away" · "Kasumi" · "The Final" · "Saku" · "Clever Sleazoid" · "Ryoujoku no Ame" · "Agitated Screams of Maggots" · "Dozing Green" · "Glass Skin" · "Hageshisa to..."
Music video
compilations
Live videos
Related articles

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