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.
Phenomenon
DIR EN GREY Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
七色無限の肉
曲がりくねる本能の血走り
たかが箱
されど体温
夕立の言葉
溢れた愛 継ぎ足す愛
貴方のうぶな声
もう飽きた過去が手招き
されと体温
宿す肉
「また明日ね」
肩に伸ばし掛けかる真実から
狂わされて行くのか
今更ながら 夕立が綺麗
水飴を透かして
今更ながら 夕立が綺麗
これ以上…
The lyrics of Phenomenon by DIR EN GREY convey a sense of confusion and disorientation in the midst of a chaotic world. The first verse describes a world of sensory overload, where colors and flesh blend together in an overwhelming mass. The twisting instinctual blood rushes through the singer's veins, while he clings to the idea that it is all just a box, and therefore manageable. But even as he tries to make sense of the chaos around him, the singer is drawn to another person's warmth, to their tender voice and overflowing love.
The second verse continues this theme of being overwhelmed by sensation, with the singer describing the other person's body temperature and flesh that holds the truth of their feelings. The line "また明日ね" (See you tomorrow) seems to be both comforting and ominous at the same time, as if the future is uncertain and dangerous. The same question repeats itself throughout the song: "狂わされて行くのか" (Will I be driven mad?), expressing the singer's sense of confusion and insecurity.
One interpretation of the song is that it is a reflection on the disorientation and confusion that comes with growing up and facing the complexities of adult life. The overwhelming sensory experience mentioned in the lyrics could be a metaphor for the myriad of challenges and responsibilities that come with adulthood. The other person in the song could represent a comforting presence, but also a temptation that threatens to lead the singer astray.
Line by Line Meaning
穴の色に入れ混ざる
Mixing in with the color of the hole
七色無限の肉
Infinite flesh of seven colors
曲がりくねる本能の血走り
The meandering surge of instinctual blood
たかが箱
It's just a box
されど体温
But still, body temperature
夕立の言葉
The words of the evening shower
狂わされて行くのか
Am I being driven mad?
溢れた愛 継ぎ足す愛
Overflowing love, adding to love
貴方のうぶな声
Your innocent voice
もう飽きた過去が手招き
The past I'm tired of beckons me
されと体温
But still, body temperature
宿す肉
The flesh that harbors
「また明日ね」
"See you tomorrow"
肩に伸ばし掛けかる真実から
From the truth hanging over my shoulders
今更ながら 夕立が綺麗
Even now, the evening shower is beautiful
水飴を透かして
Translucent with syrup
今更ながら 夕立が綺麗
Even now, the evening shower is beautiful
これ以上…
No more...
Contributed by Madison S. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@gomokumaru9401
穴の色に入れ混ぜる
七色無限の肉
曲がりくねる本能の血走り
たかが箱
されど体温
夕立の言葉
狂わされて行くのか
溢れた愛 継ぎ足す愛
貴方のうぶな声
もう飽きた過去が手招き
されど体温
宿す肉
「また明日ね」
肩に伸し掛かる真実から
狂わされて行くのか
今更ながら 夕立が綺麗
水飴を透かして
今更ながら 夕立が綺麗
これ以上…
@PlatonicR
Ana no iro ni ire mazeru
Nanashoku mugen no niku
Magarikuneru hon'nou no chibashiri
Takaga hako
Saredo taion
Yuudachi no kotoba
Kuruwa sarete yuku no ka
Afureta ai tsugitasu ai
Anata no ubuna koe
Mou akita kako ga temaneki
Saredo taion
Yadosu niku
`mata ashita ne'
Kata ni noshi gakaru shinjitsu kara
Kuruwa sarete yuku no ka
Imasara nagara yuudachi ga kirei
Mizuame o sukashite
Imasara nagara yuudachi ga kirei
Koreijo
@Mutterschwein
Diru's music really is an unexplainable PHENOMENON. :)
@jayesper4390
Of DARK THUNDER!!
@puregecko7364
They are so dynamic dude , this is top notch artistry.
@kyra7891
It has been years since the last time I heard this album. It was mt favorite and now I remember why
@michelleelias6073
I've been waiting so long for a Dir en Grey song like this to arise again. I have actual tears in my eyes listening to this
@janshepard55
recommend similar songs please?? i shall owe you lol
@dethkok3869
Damn that bass has such a sexy ass crisp to it
@Ratingzer
I gave up assigning genre to Dir en Grey.
To my satisfaction.
@gomokumaru9401
穴の色に入れ混ぜる
七色無限の肉
曲がりくねる本能の血走り
たかが箱
されど体温
夕立の言葉
狂わされて行くのか
溢れた愛 継ぎ足す愛
貴方のうぶな声
もう飽きた過去が手招き
されど体温
宿す肉
「また明日ね」
肩に伸し掛かる真実から
狂わされて行くのか
今更ながら 夕立が綺麗
水飴を透かして
今更ながら 夕立が綺麗
これ以上…
@rinerdaugust8501
3:00 👍👍👍