Formed in 1997, with the sole purpose to spread the feeling of hurt and sorrow caused by weakness, shallowness and egoism of humanity.
Since then, their grotesque ways, their warped affection, and their crazy live shows took the independent record scene by a storm, putting them on the very top.
In 1999, their fame caught the attention of then CEO of East West Japan. Thus signing them to a major record label. They debuted releasing 3 singles at once, very rare for a newcomer.
Of course, all 3 songs hit the top 10 on the charts.After that, all their releases would hit the top 10 on the charts proving that more and more people were sympathizing with their lyrics.
In 2002, their fame hit all of Asia. During their Asia Tour they traveled to Korea, Taiwan, Hong Kong and Shanghai. And in Shanghai, public safety officers had to be called in to calm the excited fans.
When they first formed, their expressions of pain came from struggling and writhe, hiding inside the feelings of hurt and suffering. But as time passed, their pain became a cry also a message.
Now, Dir en grey has changed its target from Japan to the World.
From their unstable beginning, the band itself has gone through many changes and revolutions. It is clear that their music is their tool to send out a message, and they have only just begun.
Dir En Grey has conquered the Japanese rock scene with lyrics that convey sorrow, darkness and anger in modern society. The band has received international critical acclaim for their masterful translation of the lyrics to their dramatic and at times shocking stage show, which includes self-mutilation with bloodshed.
Dir En Grey - vocalist Kyo, guitarists Kaoru and Die, bassist Toshiya and drummer Shinya - became extremely popular almost immediately upon forming ten years ago, when they caught the attention of the CEO of East West Japan. Their debut was marked by the simultaneous release of three singles, all of which reached the Top Ten. Five albums later, DIR EN GREY added to their international success by solidifying their presence in the U.S. with the 2007 release of The Marrow of a Bone.
The Marrow of a Bone continued to build on the sentiments that had become the band's trademark over the past ten years and exemplified the band's technical precision. The CD includes 13 aggressive tracks, where the production is as crisp as new currency, and the thrash power-riffing throbs like a carotid artery awaiting puncture (Detroit Metro Times, 2/7/07). Tracks included Agitated Screams Of Maggots, the title track of the band's EP which was released earlier this year as well as CONCEIVED SORROW, THE FATAL BELIEVER, Ryoujoku No Ame, DISABLED COMPLEXES, THE DEEPER VILENESS and Clever Sleazoid.
While singing mostly in Japanese, Kyo, via his expressive voice, is able to transition effortlessly from a deep growl to theatrical vocals that transcend language barriers. The Los Angeles Times wrote that Kyo is a staggering vocalist and has stockpiled an extreme range of vocal inflections, from a guttural mutter to a tonsil-ripping screamno electronic effects needed.
Currently the band is preparing for the release of their most diverse album to date, Uroboros. It will be released on The End Records in a variety of formats this November 11th (11/12 in Japan through Firewall; 11/14 in Europe through Gan-Shin).
Source : http://www.myspace.com/direngrey
