Nowhere Girl

Totally agree. It's a cool idea that wasn't executed in the best way. Almost all the 'symphonic' tracks sound pretty cheesy as a result and it's a shame, because it could have been amazing.

The bonus disc of DUM SPIRO SPERO at Budokan was basically this. Virtually every track was either symphonic, acoustic, or one of those weird 'crossover' electroacoustic mixes.

Let me guess. He's pregnant.

He was bad a few years ago when he had tonsillitis followed by nodules in his throat, but everything he's done live since then has been wonderful. Although I haven't seen ARCHE at Budokan yet, I'd say he's a better vocalist now than he ever was. DUM SPIRO SPERO at Budokan was possibly their finest live recording to date (at least, that I've seen). You're entitled to your opinion, though.

I believe he also wrote (S). Something tells me he also played a big part in stuff like Saku and Reiketsu Nariseba, but I have nothing to support that. It's a shame they dropped the members' names in the credits, although I suppose that their recent mode of working (we write all our parts separately and glue them together later) doesn't really lend itself to that practice.

I kind of love that Kyo's single music-writing contribution to Kisou is The Domestic Fucker Family.

5 seconds? No thanks. I'd rather wait the 6 weeks/2 months for the full single to arrive at my doorstep than be cockteased like this.

He sure is loving the 'round glasses' look. How long has he had that labret piercing?

Since when did Matt Uelmen join sukekiyo? Did I miss something?

If that's so, why hasn't there been another remix album in the 15 years since KAI aside from those Limited Edition bonuses? They clearly had plans for more; KAI itself has 'REMIX 01' emblazoned on its spine. Did remix albums simply become less lucrative? Not saying I don't agree with you. You make some great points.

Hm. You could be right. Although I haven't seen a poll anywhere. Link, please? It's extremely odd they list KAI, as imo it's not exactly essential listening, and almost half of its material is already available on various singles from that era. That exclusive Rasetsukoku Za Downtown Funkmaster remix is probably the best thing I've ever heard [/sarcasm]. I'd rate the unlisted bonus disc of DUM SPIRO SPERO AT NIPPON BUDOKAN over KAI any day. As a side note, Utafumi is noticeably missing from that page.

I may have inadvertently started a flame war. Sorry! Anyway, back on topic. What do you think will be on the new DECADE? I personally won't be buying it as I have everything on CD already, but it'll be interesting to see what everyone considers to be the strongest material from UROBOROS onwards. Maybe limit it to 15 songs, as that's probably about the length of the actual album. Here's my selection of tracks (not including remakes): VINUSHKA Toguro STUCK MAN BUGABOO DOZING GREEN DIFFERENT SENSE DREAMBOX VANITAS Unraveling Phenomenon Tousei Rinkaku Chain repulsion Kukuko no Kyouon Revelation of mankind ________________________ Runners up: Juuyoku DIABOLOS DECAYED CROW (Remix by NARASAKI) (haters gonna hate; I love this) Uroko

You're absolutely right. Less output is not necessarily a bad thing, and it would be all too easy for them to fall into the trap of banging something out every six months and burning out too quickly. It seems that they had a torrent of song ideas and experimented with different ways of creating music in the early years before settling down once they found their sound. Now, each song seems measured, each album specifically honing a particular niche of their sound. It's more genre-focussed and mature, unlike, say, Kisou, which was all over the place (I love it for that reason). I daresay they've become much more serious since the days of fun, upbeat songs like JESSICA or umbrella, adopting a more 'brutal' oeuvre overall. ARCHE, however, is a step back to their older sound, kind of a blend between that and the newer sludgy stuff. That said, it seems the average VK listener prefers DEG's earlier material when they were more prolific, but that's understandable, seeing as they were actually a VK band back then. I should probably give Dogma a listen at some point... thanks for reminding me.

Apologies if this is old news (also apologies if I'm misinterpreting the website... the language barrier is real). According to this page, we'll be getting a new 'Best Of' album soon. I'm guessing it'll be next year, which is DEG's 20th anniversary (holy shit). With this in mind, I hope that they're not going to pull a fast one on us and only release a Greatest Hits compilation in 2017. If I were an optimist, I'd predict an album or single released Q1-2 2017 and the new DECADE in Q4 (which is more or less what they did with MARROW in 2007). What's really notable here is that between 1997 and 2007, there were six LPs, two EPs (three if you count KAI) , and twenty two singles released. Since DECADE, we've only had three albums, one mini-album, and eight singles (including Utafumi). Their musical output has plummeted to less than half of what it used to be, and that's a real shame. But hey, at least that's less for us to import.

Shinya gotta rest.

Those setlists are godlike!

Or during that one AGE QUOD AGIS Ratio ducat, non fortuna live where they all dressed as zombies. I've never heard a worse rendition of LOTUS. IIRC, Kyo was having problems with vocal nodules at that time. He sounds great in the above trailer. A little strained, perhaps, but he does tend to stretch his vocals to their limits constantly. Nothing unusual.

Big Giger fan here. I am fully aware. ;)

I'm getting Giger vibes, too.

Damn, I didn't expect news this soon. No one could have predicted the single's artwork would look like that. Kyo's new look is bizarre and awesome. I wonder if either concept will tie into a new video. The next two months are going to drag horribly. Setting expectations low is going to be tough.

Quite a clean photoshoot that's somewhat at odds with the current photo on the DEG homepage. They all look great. Toshi still rocking that kilt, determined as always. Die has a WTF look which is pretty funny. Interesting how Kyo's MACABRE-era piercings are still so visible in strong lighting. Shinya's role seems to be that of a man trapped in a kind of visual/not visual androgynous limbo. And Kaoru looks like he threw a pile of velvety shawls over himself mere moments before stepping on set (he looks more awake in his portrait, though). The single comes out two months tomorrow (although I don't expect to receive it until a month after that). I expect we'll start to see cover art sometime in the next few weeks and a 15-20 second clip shortly thereafter as per usual. Trying to keep expectations low.

I honestly don't care about technique. Dir en grey has never been technical, even if they pretend to be. They're about expressing passion. As long as they continue to put as much intensity and effort as they do into each performance and don't become indifferent to the music they produce, I for one will continue to support them.

Perhaps they fused him with the DIFFERENT SENSE octopus in a horrific, gene-splicing attempt at making him able to actually play the programmed studio drums in a live setting.

You forgot the fifth option: -people who feel that they must have all editions and buy all four. (I'm getting the Blu-Ray version only, btw)

Insta-ordered. Unlike sukekiyo's ANIMA single, this one is actually affordable, and it looks like there's more or less the same amount of content for about £70 less. From the blurb, it sounds as though the track's going to be fast and angry. Quite excited!