It’s been ten years since I’ve seen Dir en grey in concert, and their performance at the House of Blues in Cleveland, December 11th, was the Dir en grey I loved, full of genuine passion, but on a new, artistically mature level.

Dir en grey, is an experimental Japanese rock band (melodic, experimental heavy metal rock band – how I describe them) formed in 1997, and who are known to write dark music that addresses taboo issues and the tragedies induced by mankind. Some of their music videos are banned from mainstream view, but despite this, they hold a large following around the world. On the surface, Dir en grey may look like any other rock band that tries to be controversial and cause a reaction, but when examined closer, they hold a mission that parallels the view of tragedy as a means of sympathizing, identifying, and exposing the negative aspects of our world. While many rock bands that cause reaction and controversy promote or glorify immoral behavior, Dir en grey does not glorify, but exposes evil and the negative aspects of our world on a personal and social landscape. Their music communicates the reality of the world.

The tour, This Way to Self-Destruction, comprised of songs from Dir en grey’s 2018 album, “The Insulated World,” with a few older songs sprinkled throughout the set, and ended (before a three song encore) with their ten minute long latest single, “The World of Mercy.” Kyo has always been a poet, and vocal and visual artist of intricate depth, who uses his full body and full vocal range to the extreme. Halfway through the performance I realized why the tour had a specific set list and was titled, This Way to Self-Destruction. Kyo was portraying a character, beginning with an elegant dance who then slowly self-destructed throughout the concert to the point that during the last song, “The World of Mercy,” all eyes were on Kyo, with the rest of the band taking a back seat. The song and his performance grabbed our focused attention, causing emotions to be stirred deep inside.

My friend, Allise (check out her blog at https://artistallisenicole.com/) and I came with no expectations and yet we were blown away not just by Dir en grey’s powerful and moving performance, but by the fans we met, the opportunities presented to us (we got a great spot on the far left of the stage front row), and the multiple interactions we had with the members (Toshiya threw one of his bass picks at me, but I let a nice fan keep it since he plays bass and I don’t). It was the Dir en grey I fell in love with 10+ years ago in college, but with more wisdom and maturity.

I think what best sums up Dir en grey and their musical mission is encompassed in a quote by Kyo back in 2007 in the November issue of Kerrang. Kyo was asked, “Is the purpose of Dir en grey to disturb and unsettle your audience rather than simply to entertain?” in which Kyo replies,

“Maybe neither. I hate entertainment, but I’m not trying to disturb either: what I’m trying to do onstage is express the pain and frustration we all feel in life but also to look beyond it at a different world without that. If you’ve always lived in the light, then you won’t know what darkness is, and if you’ve only experienced happiness, then you can’t recognize real sorrow. You have to experience all of life to be truly alive.” *

What a great way to end 2019!

Dir en grey Official Site: https://direngrey.co.jp/lang_en/

*Published in the November 18, 2007, issue of Kerrang. Words: Paul Brannigan.

DIR EN GREY LIVE 2019