Album Rating: 4.0

It'd be appreciated to see them explore that more prominently, and obviously in a way that wouldn't clash with Sukekiyo's style.

Album Rating: 3.0

well if Utafumi's anything to go off, the direction they're opting for is "safe, self-covers"

Album Rating: 3.0

Safe? Yes. Self covers? Ehhh not so much.

One day I will fuck your parents

Album Rating: 3.5

"Safe? Yes. Self covers? Ehhh not so much."



Eh, I'd take DEG "self-covers" over some other trendier J-rock/J-metal/visual kei group covering DEG songs and passing it off as "original" tunes.

Album Rating: 3.0

So would I, but this band is better than that.

Album Rating: 3.0

"Eh, I'd take DEG "self-covers" over some other trendier J-rock/J-metal/visual kei group covering DEG songs and passing it off as "original" tunes."



Nailed it.

Album Rating: 3.0

But to be quite honest, where else can they really go at this point? They could do a Linkin Park and ruin everything they're about, by incorporating other things into their sound, or they could just sit on their throne and tap into nearly 20 years of hard work they've built up. I'm not saying Utafumi is amazing, but it's a solid track that utilises what they're about.



I also think that with all this retro tour stuff they've been doing lately, and tapping into the past, I wouldn't be surprised if they called a hiatus or break up after the eventual new album.

Album Rating: 4.0

Mhm, I've thought about that possibility too.

Album Rating: 3.0

I can't say I wouldn't be relived tbh. If they called it here, what a legacy.

Album Rating: 4.0

I wouldn't mind, especially cuz aging and harsh vocals don't really get along, and it's not like they're suddenly going to turn to soft music only.

Album Rating: 3.0

I wouldn't mind either, as long as I get to see them before they call it quits. I still believe going more of an atmospheric or ballad lead path, like how Arche was steering into that direction. They have that in the palm of their hands, and yet Kaoru said in interviews he has no idea where to go next for ideas.

Album Rating: 3.0

It kinda shows lol

Album Rating: 3.0

Hah yeah, at least we're gonna get tons of lives out of it. I can't fucking wait for Tour Kisou, since 5 Ugly is such a superb show and they haven't performed some of those songs for years.

Album Rating: 4.0

Same with the Vulgar show cuz it will have quite a few tracks that were only available on the 2004 DVD.

Album Rating: 3.5

"I also think that with all this retro tour stuff they've been doing lately, and tapping into the past, I wouldn't be surprised if they called a hiatus or break up after the eventual new album."



I'd be content with DEG calling it quits if they go out with their musical integrity and vision intact.

Can they pull off a fourth perfect album in a row you think?

Album Rating: 3.5

Well, it'd be amazing if they could.



Earlier, we've been talking about these "Mode of..." retro tours possibly signaling an impending hiatus or breakup of the band...well, a part of me wants to believe that this is just a part of some big celebration campaign to commemorate DEG's 20th anniversary of being a band and that either during the upcoming Androgynous shows w/Pierrot or the last show of the "Mode of..." retro tour series they'll make a big reveal by giving a date for an upcoming single, their upcoming album, both and/or something more than that.

Album Rating: 3.0

"I'd be content with DEG calling it quits if they go out with their musical integrity and vision intact."



They'll disband when the band has sustained too much injuries or Kyo dies on stage, because he will not stop no matter how much his voice deteriorates.



"Can they pull off a fourth perfect album in a row you think?"



No, but I'm content if they can't make one. If I'm proven wrong, I'll be very happy so win win really. Regardless they'll continue to put out quality content and you have Sukekiyo as well, who on a creative standpoint is showing to have far more to say and deliver compared to what Dir en Grey are doing now.



@Acme: The new album will come out in 2018 without a doubt. They've played one or 2 new songs already in the Tour Of shows to try them out and it's 3 years from the last one, just like all of their albums since Uroboros.

Album Rating: 3.5

Death's probably the only thing that can stop Kyo considering he blew his left eardrum out, had multiple cases of vocal problems...the last one was when he got dysphonia in early 2012 and came close to using surgery as a last resort to save his voice. I'm actually impressed he got through the Arche era unscathed as it seemed like he ran into some sort of health problem nearly every other album cycle.



@Calc: Yeah it does seems like 2018 (or even late 2017 at the earliest) is when the new album will drop. I'm pretty sure we'll get at least one more single before the album proper. Since Uroboros DEG's been stuck in the mode of putting out a new album every 3 years and ending the album cycle at the Budokan. Not that I'm complaining cause those Budokan DVDs show the band at their best IMO.