DIR EN GREY (formerly stylized as Dir en grey) is a Japanese alternative me… Read Full Bio ↴DIR EN GREY (formerly stylized as Dir en grey) is a Japanese alternative metal / avant-garde metal band formed in Osaka, Japan in 1997 from the disbanded visual kei band La:Sadie's. DIR EN GREY have maintained a consistent lineup of 京 (Kyo) on vocals, 薫 (Kaoru) and Die on guitar, Toshiya on bass and Shinya on drums.

Originally a visual kei band, the band dropped that style around 2005 with the release of their fifth full-length album, Withering to death., however as of recently they have reacquired their visual kei aesthetic. Their musical style is difficult to determine; throughout their releases, they have played styles ranging from pop rock to extreme metal. Today, their style can be considered generally a version of alternative metal and avant-garde metal.

The band has been signed to FIREWALL DIV., a subdivision of Free-Will under Sony Music, for their entire career so far. However, their fifth full-length album, Withering to death., was the band's first to see distribution outside of Japan. It was released in Europe by GAN-SHIN and the United States by Warcon Enterprises. They're currently signed to Okami Records for European distribution and The End for United States distribution.

DIR EN GREY, in its earliest form, began as the band of vocalist 京 and drummer Shinya - 廃人黒薔薇族 (Haijin Kurobarazoku, "Invalid Black Rose Family"). Members and associates of this band formed La:Sadie's, which eventually included four of the band's five current members. La:Sadie's disbanded in January 1997. All but the bassist came back together to form Dir en grey. They recruited Toshiya, a bassist from Nagano and previously in the band D†L, and officially formed Dir en grey in February 1997.

In 1998, the band gained major attention by becoming the first indies band to have a single place in the top ten on Japan's Oricon music charts. After making their major debut in early 1999, they played a sold-out performance at Osakajo Hall on December 18, 1999. This remains one of the band's most memorable solo performances to date.

In 2002, the band's THE JAPANESE FXXKER FAMILY tour brought the band their first international performances. The tour took them to several countries in Asia, including China and South Korea. In Shanghai, fans became so excited that authorities attempted to cancel a planned second concert. The band and their management resisted, and the concert was played as scheduled.

The year 2005 was a very significant year in the band's history. Dir en grey played their first non-Asian shows in the spring and summer of that year. TOUR05 It withers and withers was the one that brought the band from Japan to Europe. The band played shows in three European countries - Belgium, France, and Germany. Two of these performances were MTV's Rock im Park and Rock am Ring festivals. Dir en grey also played a solo live concert in Germany on May 28 which sold 3,500 standing-room tickets to Berlin's Columbia Hall in approximately 6 weeks (also rumored as 3 days). The band's album Withering to death. reached #31 on the Official Finnish Album Chart, and the single "CLEVER SLEAZOID" reached #15 on its Singles Chart. These were the first times Dir en grey had placed on a non-Asian music chart.

Throughout 2009 and 2011, the band released a total of three singles that would later be added onto their 8th album (DUM SPIRO SPERO). These singles included 激しさと、この胸の中で絡み付いた灼熱の闇 (December 2nd, 2009), LOTUS (January 26, 2011), and DIFFERENT SENSE (June 22nd, 2011). On August 1st, the band had made an open letter on their Facebook page accusing the Japanese government of lying about the levels of radiation caused from the 2011 Tohoku earthquake and tsunami. This led to the creation of the band's "Scream for the Truth" movement, which hoped to result in the correct numbers and truth from the government.

On August 3rd, 2011 the band released their 8th studio album DUM SPIRO SPERO (Latin; "While I breathe, I hope"). The material of this album was showcased on the tour of Age Quod Agis throughout Japan, and the Americas. In February of 2012, 京 (Kyo) was diagnosed with vocal nodule dysphonia. This lead to the withdrawal of the band's participation in the Still Reckless tour, and Kyo was required to have surgery performed on his throat.

The band celebrated their first album's (GAUZE) 15th anniversary of August 2014 with the Tour14 Psychonnect: Mode of "Gauze"? Japanese tour. The tour included their live performances of the songs featured on Gauze. On August 5th, Dir En Grey announced their 9th studio album, ARCHE, to be released December 10th, 2014. After its release, the band performed two tours: By the Grace of God and The Unstoppable life, which brought the band back to North America; the first time since 2011.

On 6 February 2016, it is officially announced that the band will release their new single, 詩踏み, on July 27, 2016. They performed tours called Tour16-17 From Depression To ________ mode of Vulgar, Tour16-17 From Depression To ________ mode of Dum Spiro Spero, and Tour16-17 From Depression To ________ mode of 鬼葬 from June to November 2016.

In 2017, the band did further tours themed around previous albums. They also covered Easy Make,Easy Mark by D'erlanger for the D'ERLANGER TRIBUTE ALBUM ～Stairway to Heaven～.

Another compilation album, VESTIGE OF SCRATCHES, was released on January 2, 2018. DIR EN GREY's twenty-ninth single 人間を被る was released on April 25, 2018. One of its B-sides is a remake of Ash, a song with origins as far back as 1997.

On June 29, 2018, DIR EN GREY announced that their tenth studio album The Insulated World was to be released on September 26, 2018. After its release, the band went on a European tour in October 2018, under the title "Wearing Human Skin".

DIR EN GREY's eleventh studio album, "Phalaris", was released on June 15th 2022. The band embarked on a Japanese tour in promotion called "TOUR22 PHALARIS -Vol.I.-".

Visit www.direngrey.co.jp for more information, and news.

鴉-karasu-
DIR EN GREY Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Koyoi wa harusame namida to kandou no dorama ka na ?
Asahi ga terasu to mukan no ichinichi ga haitai
Uchiage hanabi wa kireina imouto no kari no mama
Suuji ga yomenai rinda to furan shite taidoku
Nukekara kaishuu wasureta mama no ki gurumi no naka
Butagoya haishutsu madamu to hikarabite ranman
Death Education
Sarcasm One Sided And Rush End Core

Boku ni wa are kore sore ga tarizu umareru mae kara tainai no gomi de
Youchien no koro ni wa fusuma wo akete oya no seikoui wo kanshou

Ima de wa ane wo okashita tsumi de koko roku dokubou no ikiru gomi de
Mainichi maiban ima demo kakasazu zecchou ni nobori itte orimasu

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of DIR EN GREY's song 鴉 -karasu- are complex and portray a sense of confusion and desperation. The first line, "Koyoi wa harusame namida to kandou no dorama ka na?" can be interpreted as describing a feeling of sadness and emotional turmoil that is being experienced. The metaphor of a drama can imply that these emotions are being put on display for others to see, but also that they are at the mercy of external factors like the rain. The second line, "Asahi ga terasu to mukan no ichinichi ga haitai," contrasts with the first and suggests a turn towards hope and optimism with the mention of the sun. However, the following lines seem to contradict this and depict a scene of chaos at a festival. This can be seen as a commentary on the fleeting nature of joy and happiness, that they are only temporary and often accompanied by negative emotions.

The lyrics then take a darker turn with the mention of "Death Education," which could refer to the societal pressures and expectations that can lead to feelings of hopelessness and despair. The lyrics "Sarcasm One Sided And Rush End Core" further this interpretation, suggesting a sense of disillusionment and disillusionment with the world. The lines "Boku ni wa are kore sore ga tarizu umareru mae kara tainai no gomi de / Youchien no koro ni wa fusuma wo akete oya no seikoui wo kanshou / Ima de wa ane wo okashita tsumi de koko roku dokubou no ikiru gomi de" paint a picture of a person who has been discarded by society from birth, and who feels powerless to change their situation. The final line, "Mainichi maiban ima demo kakasazu zecchou ni nobori itte orimasu," can be interpreted as a statement of determination to keep pushing forward despite the circumstances.

Line by Line Meaning

Koyoi wa harusame namida to kandou no dorama ka na ?
I wonder if tonight's gentle rain is like tears and a touching drama?

Asahi ga terasu to mukan no ichinichi ga haitai
The day without direction starts when the morning sun shines

Uchiage hanabi wa kireina imouto no kari no mama
The fireworks display is like a younger sister's temporary happiness

Suuji ga yomenai rinda to furan shite taidoku
I'm struggling to read the numbers and shaking while trying to read

Nukekara kaishuu wasureta mama no ki gurumi no naka
A wooden bear forgotten since childhood is still there in my collection

Butagoya haishutsu madamu to hikarabite ranman
The pigsty is full of light as I release and proudly show it off

Death Education
Learning about death

Sarcasm One Sided And Rush End Core
A one-sided, sarcastic and abruptly ending core

Boku ni wa are kore sore ga tarizu umareru mae kara tainai no gomi de
Before I was born, the waste inside my mother's womb was what I am now

Youchien no koro ni wa fusuma wo akete oya no seikoui wo kanshou
When I was in kindergarten, I used to open the sliding door and observe my parents' sexual activity

Ima de wa ane wo okashita tsumi de koko roku dokubou no ikiru gomi de
Now I carry the sin of sexually assaulting my sister and live like garbage in this prison of solitude

Mainichi maiban ima demo kakasazu zecchou ni nobori itte orimasu
Every day, every night, I'm still climbing to the peak without writing anything

Lyrics © OBO APRA/AMCOS

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