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.
DRAIN AWAY
DIR EN GREY Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
指折り数えていた 君に会う日を待つあの頃へ
空青き良き時代の中で 壊れた夢と
悲しきかな 果てし無き罪証 声は亡き一夜は春
夕刻に溺れ寒い頃に見た早咲きの
桜の下では彼女が立っていた 遠い昔話しだけど
あの頃は可憐でとても美しくでもどこか
忘れた四季葬さえこの場所は君と映す
才色刻に消えた儚き君とモノクロの傷
空青き良き時代の中で 壊れた夢と
罪深きは 垣間見た刻 悪徳が鳴く一夜の春
The show booth
夕魔暮れ映す寒い頃に見た君がまた
人に染められて 何も出来なくて涙ポロポロポロリ咲く
押し花懐かしみは思ひ出にひたる夕空
指折り数えていた 君に会う日を待つあの頃へ
夕暮れ照らす小屋の裏に咲く桜の下
今だけ今だけでも袖で隠した傷跡消えて
空青き良き時代の中で 壊れた夢と
悲しきかな 果てし無き罪証 声は亡き一夜は春
The song "DRAIN AWAY" by DIR EN GREY is a poignant reflection on past memories and lost love. The lyrics paint a nostalgic image of a time gone by when the singer was eagerly waiting to meet with someone dear to him. The track is filled with references to broken dreams, sadness, and loneliness.
The opening lines talk about the singer's bittersweet memories that flood him every time he sees a pressed flower, and then he counts the days when he was waiting to meet someone special. The lyrics suggest that this is a time long gone, and only memories remain. The chorus references a time when the singer saw someone he loved standing under a tree of early blossom, and how the beauty of the moment hides the sadness and pain that lies within.
The second part of the song speaks about the singer's longing to go back to the past to rediscover lost happiness, but he knows it's impossible. He also mentions the scars he carries with him and the sins of his past that keep haunting him. The final lines echo the opening and bring the song to a close with the image of a drenched young woman unable to stop crying.
Overall, "DRAIN AWAY" is a beautifully crafted track that explores themes of nostalgia, lost love, and regret.
Line by Line Meaning
押し花懐かしみは思ひ出にひたる夕空
Remembering the past memories through dried flowers on the evening sky
指折り数えていた 君に会う日を待つあの頃へ
Back to the time when I counted the days to meet you
空青き良き時代の中で 壊れた夢と
In a good old blue era, along with shattered dreams
悲しきかな 果てし無き罪証 声は亡き一夜は春
A sad and endless witness of guilt; a voice lost in the night of spring
夕刻に溺れ寒い頃に見た早咲きの
When drowning in the evening twilight, I saw an early blooming cherry blossom
桜の下では彼女が立っていた 遠い昔話しだけど
She stood under the cherry blossom, a distant story from the past
あの頃は可憐でとても美しくでもどこか
Back then, she was lovely and very beautiful, but in some way
悲しそうな顔 長い髪でほら隠した夕暮れの涙
She had a sad face and with her long hair, she was hiding her tears from the evening twilight
忘れた四季葬さえこの場所は君と映す
Even the forgotten seasonal funeral reflects you in this place
才色刻に消えた儚き君とモノクロの傷
With a talent that faded away, you had a fleeting life and scorings in black and white
罪深きは 垣間見た刻 悪徳が鳴く一夜の春
Witnessing deep guilt in a moment, amid the night of spring when corruption echoes
夕魔暮れ映す寒い頃に見た君がまた
Again, I saw you in the cold and darkening evening twilight
人に染められて 何も出来なくて涙ポロポロポロリ咲く
Stained by others, unable to do anything, and tears rolling down like blossoms falling
夕暮れ照らす小屋の裏に咲く桜の下
Under the cherry blossom blooming behind a hut shining in the evening twilight
今だけ今だけでも袖で隠した傷跡消えて
Just for now, for now, those hidden scars could disappear under the sleeve
空青き良き時代の中で 壊れた夢と
In a good old blue era, along with shattered dreams
悲しきかな 果てし無き罪証 声は亡き一夜は春
A sad and endless witness of guilt; a voice lost in the night of spring
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: DIE, Kyou
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind