What makes this album less good than the others, tho? I'll definitely listen to it this week.

Album Rating: 3.0

The list is long.

Oof.

Album Rating: 3.0

The 3 albums before this are the only 3x5.0 album stretch ever in my book. It's insane. Coincidentally, I'm just listening through Arche's ballads because I felt like it, and they are still nothing short of mind-blowing to me. So many amazing moments and ideas. Such impactful vocals. I never feel the need to return to this one, though. Might have to bump it down because of that.

"What makes this album less good than the others, tho?"

The baddd production and the 2nd worst songwriting of their entire career. 'nuff said really, those two points kneecap this album.

Damn, that sucks. Dir have really been top-tier when it came to their sound production in the past few records. Would this rank above Kisou for y'all?

Album Rating: 4.0

This is far below Kisou, but that also has production issues that kind of wear on the ears occasionally. Nothing that requires massive EQ'ing like this does, though. If the production were fixed it would be top of 2nd tier (so maybe above Six Ugly and Marrow).

Album Rating: 4.5

The production on this sounds bad on certain headphones and fine on others. I never found it to be THAT bad though tbh, they have never had the best production so it wasn’t really a shock. I thought the production on Arche was great on the ballads but was way too clean for some of the heavier songs.

Album Rating: 3.0

I have to disagree. I haven't jammed this album for a long time, and the reminder of this album's sound quality really put my enjoyment at risk this time around. It doesn't help that, as calc has already said, the songwriting leaves a lot to be desired.

@Jiggly: In studio to me Kisou sounds so abysmal I'd say this is better. But in terms of the actual songs themselves, Kisou wins without a shadow of a doubt. The incredible ballads on it, Jessica, Kigan, Zomboid, its one of a kind atmosphere...no contest for me. However saying that I wouldn't be saying this if 5 Ugly, Blitz 5 Days or Mode Kisou did not exist, so this album needs a chance at a live setting too if I was being fair.

Album Rating: 3.0

This beats Kisou by several landmiles for me, but that's not an impressive feat at all.

Album Rating: 3.0

By Diru’s recent high standards this album is such a disappointment.



Like calc said, the production is a massive crutch but even if this had say DSS production the songwriting simply isn’t up to par.

Album Rating: 3.5

Kisou is much better than this.

Album Rating: 3.0

This and Marrow are the only meh Diru for me.

Album Rating: 3.0

For me, it’s Macabre and this album.



While Macabre has a few “classics” if you will, its fatal flaw is the track flow. While I think a majority of the album are anywhere between classic/top tier to good (the rest are just filler IMO), there’s something about the way the album plays out that rubs me in the wrong way and I can’t really explain the what/how/why other than I don’t listen to it that often.



This album’s fatal flaw is is subpar songwriting IMO. If they spent a little bit more time writing & recording the album and released it this year instead of last year, there’s a slight chance they might’ve delivered a better album. The nicest thing I can say about the album one year removed and being more levelheaded in objectivity is that they do seem to translate better live and invokes some kinda “fun” vibe to it.

Album Rating: 4.5

Macabre is my least favorite. I love the title track though.

Yeah as an album Macabre is a failure.

A bold album which I respect greatly for what it symbolises for the band but it didn't work. It gave us gold years down the line due to live performances and remakes at least. Plus, I could see TIW having the strength to work as a full album performance whilst for Macabre I don't.

Album Rating: 3.0

The albums between Gauze and Vulgar all sound sloppy and lethargic to me. I never return to any of it and they're easily Kyo's worst performances, too. But obviously, the re-working of Macabre's t/t is amazing. Adding 6 minutes to make it a more concluded whole sure helped since I always thought the original didn't go far enough to feel complete (and so did they, apparently).

This one has a few bangers that I gladly return to, and Aka which is great in an Arche kind of way. Those mostly are the reasons why I prefer this one, although it's probably their least daring release ever and feels rather unnecessary in the bigger scheme.

That said, I generally only return to their Uroboros-->Arche era on a constant basis, and occasionally to Gauze when I'm in the mood for some j rock.

I agree on your sentiment regarding Macabre and Kisou but I hope performances like this will make you return to them more, the groove 2:20 in is straight up nasty: https://youtu.be/BZDJKS0Esvw?t=4939 (it's Zomboid in the comment section if the timestamp doesn't work)

Album Rating: 3.5

I dig Kisou, Macabre not so much (t/t is awesome though). Mushi, Embryo, 24 cylinders, undecided... some of the bands best work. Main issue with both is the production, although I find that Kisou almost has an 'Akira Yamaoka' vibe going on, with a really nice atmosphere and an appropriate use of electronic/glitchy sounds throughout