Dir En Grey (stylized as DIR EN GREY and previously as Dir en grey) is a Japanese metal band formed in 1997 and currently signed to Firewall Div., a sub-division of Free-Will. As of 2021, they have recorded ten full-length records with a line up consistent since its inception. 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 band has opted for less dramatic attire in recent years.Dir En Grey has toured through Asia, Europe, South America, and North America;Billboard co ...read more
Dir En Grey (stylized as DIR EN GREY and previously as Dir en grey) is a Japanese metal band formed in 1997 and currently signed to Firewall Div., a sub-division of Free-Will. As of 2021, they have recorded ten full-length records with a line up consistent since its inception. 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 band has opted for less dramatic attire in recent years.Dir En Grey has toured through Asia, Europe, South America, and North America;Billboard commenting on the group's international fanbase, that the band "has transcended the language barrier in the United States through its music"and"gain edits audience without singing in English"."Dir En Grey has been categorized in many genres such as alternative metal,alternative rock, experimental, hardcore, nu-metal, metalcore, avant-garde, progressive and various others. Dir En Grey's format has been subject to change through out their career, initially being a rather experimental form of alternative rock. Some tracks of their debut album Gauze also demonstrated a distinct pop appeal, which was largely dropped in favor of a more progressive sound on the following albums, Macabre and Kisou. While up to that point some songs had already been more fast-paced,raw and aggressive than others,the band's music took a decisive turn with the release of the EP Six Ugly,from then on sporting more metal influences in general. Dir En Grey's style has since gravitated towards riffs and song structures more along the lines of contemporary North American fusion genres, such as nu-metal and metalcore, though their latest album, Uroboros, sees them return to the more experimental and oriental sound of their earlier albums. Since its release many sources have begun classifying Dir En Grey as progressive metal." « hide
