Album Rating: 5.0

Kurt likes to make things very loud and like a wall of sound. It works for hardcore and sludge, and the last Chelsea Wolfe record turned out pretty well, but I wouldn't pick him for Diru.

Jens did the Hage/Zan single. Kaoru knew about him because he loves Opeth.

Album Rating: 4.0

"Is it just me or does Kyo's vocals sound a little shot on it too?"



ah, that'll be because it's a medical anomaly that he can still sing at all

Album Rating: 5.0

yeah, true, but it really shows as much on this song. Utafumi was still pretty impressive.

Album Rating: 5.0

The verses on Utafumi were the most aggressive he has sounded on record since the Kiri remake, love it. I'll have to see what Ningen provides.

Album Rating: 4.5

New song has a great chorus but is overall underwhelming as hell.



They sound as if they’ve hit a brick wall in terms of creativity with the past 2 singles.



That said, the Ash remake kicks ass.

Album Rating: 5.0

With a career as inspired as their's, you can see why. I found an interview where Kaoru said their evolution is over and they're wondering what to next (i.e. running out of ideas) once but I can't find it anymore. Kicking myself that I didn't save it.

Album Rating: 4.5

Yeah but underwhelming music is underwhelming music, regardless of where they want to go.



The live version of Utafumi on the EP is ghastly too, poor Kyo.

Album Rating: 5.0

The chorus is the worst part for me, a: it feels shoehorned into the song and b: it sounds like a regurgitation of kukoku no kyoon's chorus

Album Rating: 5.0

I have nothing against the chorus itself but the way it's worked into the song seems really forced. Second half of the song is really good though.

Album Rating: 4.5

"Jens did the Hage/Zan single. Kaoru knew about him because he loves Opeth."

Yeah, I was wondering who in DEG loves Opeth cause in the Players Book, one of the albums listed under "Roots and Influences" was Pale Communion (just my opinion, odd album choice). Kurt would make the heavier sections sound huge, but during the quieter passages...yeah, he's not the right fit for that based on his body of work.



"I found an interview where Kaoru said their evolution is over and they're wondering what to next (i.e. running out of ideas) once but I can't find it anymore."

Taking a break and figuring out where to go from here would be a good idea for DEG. IDK how it works in Japan, but no activity for awhile is like a huge deal for their fans there, no? Personally, IDK what else they can do at this point other than doing just a full-on genre shift.



"it sounds like a regurgitation of kukoku no kyoon's chorus"

I was gonna say it was a regurgitation or a variation of the hook in Un deux's chorus.

Album Rating: 5.0

" IDK how it works in Japan, but no activity for awhile is like a huge deal for their fans there, no?"



It's a big deal because so many Japanese bands get milked to death.

Album Rating: 4.5

"It's a big deal because so many Japanese bands get milked to death."



The sad truth of Japanese Music Industry.

Album Rating: 4.5

“It's a big deal because so many Japanese bands get milked to death.”

Just looking at how bands like DEG are milking out singles, short domestic tour runs, live concert DVDs/BluRays, etc. that’s not surprising at all. A break or short hiatus from musical activities (whether that be touring, promoting or in most cases recording, sometimes two or all three) might be normal to us westerners, but (and this is just my limited knowledge/observation about the subject) it seems to me that if a Japanese band/musical group did that especially a mainstream one, that’s somewhat similar in reaction as a complete disbandment or breakup.



“The sad truth of Japanese Music Industry.”

Yep. Something I personally don’t like about it really.

Album Rating: 5.0

A short European tour has been announced for October.

Album Rating: 4.0

And a very short erection, is not in my pants

Album Rating: 5.0

Once tickets go live, I'll probably get a VIP ticket. If you see a tall dude with a white Dillinger shirt, I'll see you there.

Album Rating: 4.5

Rinkaku is probably my fave Diru song, that chorus is just utter bliss.

Album Rating: 5.0

It's pretty much a perfect song yeah. Heard it so many times I try not to hear it nowadays to keep the magic.

Album Rating: 4.5

You know, the last time DEG toured America I asked the band during the VIP meet and greet what their favorite song from ARCHE to play live was and Kyo responded “Rinkaku but for no particular reason.”

If DEG tour America in November, I’ll definitely be there but I’ll probably rule out the VIP this time. Was uncomfortably awkward considering how most fans had no respect the band’s boundaries, I don’t think I’d want to go through a similar experience again.

Album Rating: 5.0

Were they mainly Japanese fans following their tour at the VIP? Because that has happened before. How much was it? I'm in two minds in buying one but I will be going regardless.