DIR EN GREY (previously known as Dir en grey) is a Japanese Visual kei/metal band formed in February 1997.
Members:
** Vocals: 京 (Kyo)
** Guitar: 薫 (Kaoru)
** Guitar: Die
** Bass: Toshiya
** Drums: Shinya
Biography:
With a consistent lineup of vocalist Kyo, guitarists Kaoru and Die, bassist Toshiya, and drummer Shinya, they have released eleven full-length albums. Numerous stylistic changes have made the genre of their music difficult to determine, though it is generally considered to be a form of metal. Originally a visual kei band, the members later opted for more subtle attire, but have continued to maintain a dramatic image on stage.
They are currently signed to Firewall Div., a sub-division of Free-Will.
Active in Japan and internationally, DIR EN GREY have built a global audience. The album Uroboros was released in seventeen countries around the same period and reached number one on Billboard’s Top Heatseekers chart, as well as number nine on the Top Independent Albums chart.
1997–1999: Early career
DIR EN GREY was preceded by the independent rock band La:Sadie's, which was formed by vocalist Kyo and bassist Kisaki in November 1995. They were joined by guitarists Die and Shio, as well as drummer Shinya and made their live debut on January 14, 1996. Shio seceded after three shows and Kaoru joined them in April 1996. After a very successful independent career and over 80 shows in one year of activity, La:Sadie's disbanded on January 15, 1997. The reasons for the disbandment are unknown, but later statements made by the individual members hint at disagreements between bassist Kisaki and the other members in regards to their status as an independent band. Kisaki said he was asked to leave the band and that he failed to take care of the other members. He explained that by not giving them time to rest and deciding on recording schedules in between, he must have put a lot of stress and burden on them.
After parting ways with Kisaki, members Kaoru, Kyo, Die and Shinya recruited bassist Toshiya and regrouped as a new band. They formed DIR EN GREY on February 2, 1997, in Osaka with the stated intention of expressing the various forms of emotional pain people experience as a result of human weakness, shallowness, and ego.
After playing one show as a Kuroyume cover band called Deathmask at the live house Nagano J on January 24, they officially began activities as DIR EN GREY. Shortly thereafter, they were discovered by DYNAMITE TOMMY of Color, leading to their independent debut through the label Soleil and distribution and concert management under Free-Will.
The band name is a combination of German "dir" (silver coin), French "en" (of), and English "grey", often interpreted as meaning "grey silver coin". The Japanese translation was used as the name of their fan club magazine. They wanted to convey a musical image that was neither black nor white, so they picked grey. In an early interview, vocalist Kyo explained that he knew the name before the band was formed. During the WOWOW Special in 2020, Kaoru elaborated that they took the name from another band that was famous around that time, Lareine, who released a song titled "Dir en gray" in 1995. In later interviews, Kaoru stated that while the name initially had meaning, it no longer expresses the band directly and is now chosen simply because it sounded right and evoked an image that felt unique.
They released their first EP Missa a few months later and attracted mainstream attention in 1998 by entering the top ten on the Oricon charts with the independently produced songs "Jealous" and "-I'll-", the latter reaching number seven and setting a then-record for an independent release. In November 1998, prior to their major debut, DIR EN GREY became the first independent band to perform at Nippon Budokan.
In January 1999, they made their major debut with three simultaneously released singles produced by Yoshiki. All three entered the Oricon top ten. Their first full-length album Gauze followed in July. The band toured nationally, performing at Yokohama Arena in September and Osaka-jo Hall in December. Footage from the Osaka-jo Hall performance later became the first of many live releases on VHS and DVD.
2000–2004: From Macabre to Vulgar
In 2000, DIR EN GREY released Macabre, incorporating elements such as folk music and marking the beginning of their self-produced work. During the opening show of the supporting tour, vocalist Kyo suffered sudden hearing loss in his left ear, forcing the postponement of 25 shows and the cancellation of one. After a three-month recovery period, the tour resumed in December. Kyo later stated that this experience freed him from concerns about mainstream acceptance.
Tour 00 >> 01 Macabre concluded at Nippon Budokan in 2001, marking their second performance at the venue. In 2002, with the release of Kisō, DIR EN GREY toured China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, and South Korea, drawing large crowds and requiring police intervention at the Shanghai show due to audience intensity. Back in Japan, the latter part of the Rettou Gekishin Angya tour supported the EP Six Ugly.
That year also saw the release of the single "Child Prey", used as the second opening theme of the anime Baki the Grappler, signaling a heavier musical direction. In summer 2003, DIR EN GREY performed five consecutive nights at Akasaka Blitz, later released as the fan club–exclusive DVD Blitz 5 Days. Vulgar was released in September 2003, marking a decisive shift toward heavy rock and metal, with tours extending into 2004.
2005–2006: Early non-Asian touring
In 2005, DIR EN GREY performed in Europe for the first time. Their concerts in Berlin and Paris sold out without formal promotion beyond import store newsletters and online word of mouth. The Berlin show attracted intense crowd reactions, resulting in police and fire department intervention and coverage in local newspapers.
They also appeared at Rock am Ring and Rock im Park, becoming the first Japanese band to perform on the main stage in subsequent appearances. French band Eths opened for them in Paris, and DIR EN GREY invited Wednesday 13 to perform at a show in Japan. They participated in the Japanese leg of the Taste of Chaos tour alongside The Used and Killswitch Engage.
Withering to Death. marked their first official European release and charted internationally, reaching number 31 in Finland and number seven in Germany. Several songs were featured in the film Death Trance.
In 2006, touring expanded to the United States, including SXSW, New York’s Avalon Club, and the Wiltern Theatre in Los Angeles. The album entered Billboard’s Top Independent Albums chart. After summer European shows, Kyo was hospitalized with inflamed vocal cords, though the band still joined Korn’s Family Values Tour, performing before a combined audience of nearly 600,000. They later appeared at Loudpark Festival alongside Megadeth, Slayer, and Children of Bodom. The video for "-Saku-" became the first by a Japanese artist to win MTV2’s Headbangers Ball viewer poll.
2007–2009: The Marrow of a Bone and Uroboros
In 2007, marking their tenth anniversary, DIR EN GREY undertook an intensive world touring schedule spanning twelve countries and 121 shows. The Marrow of a Bone was released simultaneously in eleven countries and entered multiple Billboard charts. From May to July they toured with Deftones, followed by European festival appearances including Wacken Open Air.
Further tours included support for Linkin Park and the release of the Decade compilations. In 2008, they performed at the hide memorial summit alongside X Japan and Luna Sea, then released Uroboros worldwide in seventeen countries. The album reached number one on Billboard’s Top Heatseekers chart and entered the Billboard 200.
The Uroboros era culminated in extensive touring across fifteen countries, including first performances in South America, and concluded with sold-out shows at Nippon Budokan and Osaka-jo Hall.
2010–2013: Dum Spiro Spero and The Unraveling
In 2010, DIR EN GREY performed at Sonisphere Festival with Iron Maiden and Rammstein, debuted in Russia, and toured North America with Apocalyptica. In 2011, they released Dum Spiro Spero, launched the Scream for the Truth campaign following the Tōhoku disaster, and conducted extensive world tours.
In 2012, Kyo was diagnosed with vocal nodule dysphonia, prompting a temporary suspension of activities. The band resumed later that year with the single "Rinkaku". The EP The Unraveling followed in 2013, featuring reconstructed early material, and was supported by the Tabula Rasa and Ghoul tours. They also appeared at Ozzfest Japan as the headlining Japanese act.
2014–2021: Arche and The Insulated World
In 2014, DIR EN GREY marked the anniversary of Gauze with themed tours and released Arche, an album focused on stripped-down arrangements and re-examined emotions. Tours continued through Europe, North America, China, and Australia. They performed at Luna Sea’s Lunatic Fest, where SUGIZO joined them on stage.
Album-based touring continued through 2017 with the long-running From Depression To series, covering nearly their entire discography. In 2018, The Insulated World was released, entering the Oricon top ten and extending their record of consecutive top-ten album placements since Gauze.
Singles released during this period included "The World of Mercy", "Ochita Koto no Aru Sora", and "Oboro". In 2020, the band streamed a live performance globally from KT Zepp Yokohama in response to COVID-19 restrictions.
2022–present: PHALARIS & MORTAL DOWNER
In May 2022, the band made their entire catalog from Missa through The Insulated World available on streaming services. Phalaris was released in June 2022. In 2024, the major debut 25th anniversary single "19990120" and the single "The Devil In Me" were released. The band returned to Europe with the tour "EUROPE TOUR24 FROM DEPRESSION TO ________ [mode of Withering to death.] / [mode of UROBOROS] with mostly two gigs per city, each night focusing either on Withering to death. or Uroboros. The tour was almost completely sold out.
The Berlin performances were released as LIVE FILM Zankyou no ketsumyaku.
A new album titled MORTAL DOWNER and a Japanese tour for 2026 have been announced.
Musical style and influences:
DIR EN GREY have been associated with extreme metal, alternative, experimental, and avant-garde styles. Their sound evolved from alternative rock toward heavier metal, particularly after Six Ugly. Since Uroboros and Dum Spiro Spero, they have often been described as progressive metal, incorporating elements of death metal, groove metal, and atmospheric experimentation.
Lyrically, Kyo has consistently explored themes of human and natural pain from multiple perspectives. He rarely explains individual song meanings, though he has cited "GLASS SKIN" as addressing environmental destruction and "Ware, Yami Tote..." as a message to listeners and live audiences. Kyo has stated that he avoids overt explanations to prevent the lyrics from becoming didactic.
Kyo’s vocal style has been compared to Mike Patton and Diamanda Galás. Despite primarily Japanese lyrics, the band has gained a substantial international following.
Band influences include Bauhaus, David Sylvian, Pantera, Nine Inch Nails, Radiohead, Deftones, The Beatles, D'erlanger, Alice in Chains, Smashing Pumpkins, Tool, Aion, and Gargoyle. Individual members have also cited artists such as X Japan, BUCK-TICK, 中森明菜 (Akina Nakamori), DEAD END, BOØWY, ZIGGY, and THE BLUE HEARTS as formative influences.
From their origins in visual kei, DIR EN GREY gradually abandoned heavy makeup after 2005, choosing simpler attire to better express their inner emotional states. While they once distanced themselves from the visual kei scene, Kaoru later acknowledged it as their point of origin and an integral part of their identity.
The band has maintained a strong commitment to physical releases, valuing CDs and visual media as complete artistic expressions. While they initially resisted digital distribution, they adopted streaming beginning in 2020 due to changing circumstances. At Kyo’s request, lyrics are not displayed in digital releases.
Discography:
Albums:
1999.07.28 - GAUZE
2000.09.20 - MACABRE
2002.01.30 - 鬼葬 (Kisou)
2003.09.10 - VULGAR
2005.03.09 - Withering to death.
2007.02.07 - THE MARROW OF A BONE
2008.11.12 - UROBOROS
2011.08.03 - DUM SPIRO SPERO
2014.12.10 - ARCHE
2018.09.26 - The Insulated World
2022.06.15 - PHALARIS
Mini Albums:
1997.07.25 - MISSA
2002.07.31 - six Ugly
2013.04.03 - THE UNRAVELING
Compilations:
2001.08.22 - 改-KAI- (Kai) (Remix album)
2007.12.19 - DECADE 1998-2002
2007.12.19 - DECADE 2003-2007
2018.01.02 - VESTIGE OF SCRATCHES
Singles:
1998.05.10 - JEALOUS
1998.08.12 - -I'll-
1999.01.20 - アクロの丘 (Akuro no Oka)
1999.01.20 - 残-ZAN- (Zan)
1999.01.20 - ゆらめき (Yurameki)
1999.05.26 - Cage
1999.07.14 - 予感 (Yokan)
2000.02.16 - 脈 (Myaku)
2000.06.07 - 【KR】cube
2000.07.26 - 太陽の碧 (Taiyou no Ao)
2001.04.18 - ain't afraid to die
2001.09.12 - FILTH
2001.11.14 - JESSICA
2001.12.19 - embryo
2002.07.31 - Child prey
2003.01.22 - DRAIN AWAY
2003.04.23 - かすみ (Kasumi)
2004.03.17 - THE FINAL
2004.07.14 - 朔-saku- (Saku)
2005.09.21 - CLEVER SLEAZOID
2006.07.26 - 凌辱の雨 (Ryoujoku no Ame)
2006.11.15 - Agitated Screams of Maggots
2007.10.24 - DOZING GREEN
2008.09.10 - GLASS SKIN
2009.12.02 - 激しさと、この胸の中で絡み付いた灼熱の闇 (Hageshisa to, Kono Mune no Naka de Karamitsuita Shakunetsu no Yami)
2011.01.26 - LOTUS
2011.06.22 - DIFFERENT SENSE
2011.09.13 - 蜜と唾 (Mitsu to Tsuba)
2012.12.19 - 輪郭 (Rinkaku)
2014.01.22 - SUSTAIN THE UNTRUTH
2016.07.27 - 詩踏み (Utafumi)
2018.04.25 - 人間を被る (Ningen wo Kaburu)
2019.09.18 - The World of Mercy
2020.08.03 - 落ちた事のある空 (Ochita Koto no Aru Sora)
2021.04.28 - 朧 (Oboro)
2024.01.17 - 19990120
2024.04.24 - The Devil In Me
DVD / Blu-ray:
1997.12.15 - 「楓」〜if trans…〜 CRYSTAL VIDEO BOX (Kaede if trans)
1998.07.08 - 「楓」〜if trans…〜 (Kaede if trans)
1998.10.07 - 妄想統覚劇 (Mousou Tougakugeki)
1998.10.07 - 妄想格外劇 (Mousou Kakugaigeki)
1999.11.17 - GAUZE-62045-
2000.02.16 - 1999年12月18日大阪城ホール
2001.07.25 - TOUR 00-01 MACABRE
2002.03.30 - 鬼門 (Kimon)
2003.05.21 - 列島激震行脚 FINAL 2003 5 Ugly KINGDOM
2004.10.06 - TOUR04 THE CODE OF VULGAR[ism]
2005.06.29 - AVERAGE FURY
2005.07.27 - AVERAGE PSYCHO
2006.05.03 - TOUR05 It Withers and Withers
2009.02.04 - A KNOT OF
2009.04.29 - TOUR08 THE ROSE TRIMS AGAIN
2009.10.28 - AVERAGE BLASPHEMY
2010.05.26 - UROBOROS at NIPPON BUDOKAN
2012.06.20 - TOUR2011 AGE QUOD AGIS Vol.1
2012.07.18 - TOUR2011 AGE QUOD AGIS Vol.2
2013.09.25 - TOUR12-13 IN SITU-TABULA RASA
2014.04.23 - TOUR13 GHOUL
2014.07.16 - DUM SPIRO SPERO at NIPPON BUDOKAN
2015.04.01 - Average Sorrow
2015.09.02 - AVERAGE PSYCHO 2
2016.06.29 - ARCHE at NIPPON BUDOKAN
2019.08.07 - FROM DEPRESSION TO ________ [mode of 16-17]
2022.03.30 - AVERAGE PSYCHO 3
2022.09.14 - THE FINAL DAYS OF STUDIO COAST
2023.07.05 - 25th Anniversary TOUR22 FROM DEPRESSION TO ________
2024.08.21 - TOUR22-23 PHALARIS
2025.07.02 - DIR EN GREY LIVE FILM 残響の血脈 (Zankyou no Ketsumyaku)
Tribute/Collaboration:
2017.09.13 - D'ERLANGER TRIBUTE ALBUM
2020.01.29 - PARADE III
2017.12.12 - ANDROGYNOS
2025.04.02 - ANDROGYNOS - THE FINAL WAR
https://direngrey.co.jp/
https://www.facebook.com/direngreyofficial
https://www.youtube.com/direngreyweb
https://www.instagram.com/direngrey_official/
https://www.instagram.com/kaoru_crooo/
https://www.instagram.com/kyo_official/
https://www.instagram.com/die_dir.en.grey/
https://www.instagram.com/toshiya_direngrey/
https://www.instagram.com/shinya_official/
https://x.com/direngrey_jp
https://x.com/DIRENGREY_ENG
https://x.com/kyo_official
https://x.com/OfficialToshiya
https://x.com/224_Shinya
https://x.com/kaorugeee
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…shrink me down again