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.
S
DIR EN GREY Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
アタリハ一面 黒ク染マッテイタ
水滴ニ映ッタ 嘆キノキャンバス
瞳ニ焼キ付ク 黒イノスタルジア
体ヲ蝕メ
奇生虫ノヨウニ
マネキンノヨウニ
白ク光ッタ 素肌ニ接吻
不様ニ転ガル アナタノ肉片ガ・・・
The lyrics to DIR EN GREY's song S are deeply introspective, yet somewhat cryptic. The lines are laced with pain, angst, and sexual longing, as well as some allusions to art in the form of canvases, colors, and light. The first line "Plug wo neji komi" roughly translates to "plug it in tightly," and refers to the act of a person becoming fully and intimately connected to another. The next line, "Biteki hatsujou ka," meaning "aesthetic, lustful scent," shows the theme of sensuality and carnality, perhaps suggesting that the singer is struggling with their own arousal and desire.
The second stanza delves into the imagery of water and eyes, with "Mizutama ni utsutta" meaning "reflected in water droplets," and "Hitomi ni yaki tsuku kuroi no satarujia" meaning "the black nostalgia burns in my eyes." These lines could be interpreted as a reflection of the psychological turmoil that the singer is going through, with the water and eyes symbolizing their inner world and emotions. They feel a sense of melancholy and longing, as if they are deeply attached to something that they simply can't reach.
The last two lines are perhaps the most enigmatic of the whole song: "Karatsutsumi no you ni, kokoro wa mienai manekin no you ni" roughly translating to "My body is like a host, my heart is invisible like a mannequin." This suggests that the singer is feeling detached from themselves, maybe struggling with depersonalization or simply feeling detached from their own emotional and mental processes.
Overall, the lyrics of S are rich and complex, portraying a range of emotions and psychological states that are deeply relatable to many listeners.
Line by Line Meaning
プラグヲネジ込ミ 美的・発情・香
I insert the plug and I'm filled with a beautiful, lustful aroma
アタリハ一面 黒ク染マッテイタ
Everything around me looks black and dyed
水滴ニ映ッタ 嘆キノキャンバス
A canvas of sorrow reflected in water droplets
瞳ニ焼キ付ク 黒イノスタルジア
Black nostalgia burns into my eyes
体ヲ蝕メ
My body decays
奇生虫ノヨウニ
Like a strange parasite
心ハ見エナイ マネキンノヨウニ
My heart is lifeless, like a mannequin
白ク光ッタ 素肌ニ接吻
A kiss on my bare skin, white light illuminates
不様ニ転ガル アナタノ肉片ガ・・・
Your flesh falls in an undignified way...
Contributed by Lillian G. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Ot SoGa
2021 im here
Yamato
Dance 2 Garnet
Evan Krowley
2023 I'm here
Dekerz
2022 I’m here
Kragget
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