New version is better anyway, more ferocious.

Live I like both Obscure versions equally, however my fav performance of the song happens to be one of the new version. God I am so hyped for the new Modes I want them NOW!

When they out?

March/April is my prediction. Mode Withering finished at October and it took around 6 months for the other Modes to be released when their tours finished.

Wow, had no clue this even had a review...guess I've been out of the loop w/this place considering how busy I've been in the real world. Anyway, nice review Gonzo. You've hit the nail on several things I've had qualms w/also...namely the production on the remakes. IDK if it's just me, but it's almost "shot in one-take" quality sounding.

A few of my thoughts on this thing...
1) I actually like the Beautiful Dirt remake considering it was my least favorite off Withering and weirdly enough, its shoddy production improved it for me...doesn't make sense, right? Fukai's great on here but remaking The IIID Empire was pointless. Obscure 2011 gets a lot of flack for taking away the industrial-esque heaviness away from the original, but at least it sounds killer live. Empire 2018 on the other hand? I'm not sure I'd be happy to hear it live personally.
2) To my ears, only Vulgar and Withering benefited from the remaster job. The songs now have a lot more clarity and definition. Also, Toshiya's bass is much more refined and punchier in the mix. This is notable on Child Prey, dead tree and Kodou. Which leads into...
3) Why the fuck is the original mix used for the basis of the remaster job of the Uroboros songs here? Granted they sound ONLY slightly better than the original mix but that was why Uroboros: Remastered and Expanded was done in the first place!
4) I'd only suggest overseas fans get this compilation if they want a physical copy of the pre-Withering (or Vulgar if you're from Europe) songs without busting the bank on all the albums. (I actually own a copy myself and I don't regret it, but yeah I'm not a compilation guy myself either.) Then again, there's always The Ninja Panda if you just want to download them. ;)

Should shed some light on something about Calculating's point about DEG not caring 'bout the Western market...all their care for the Western market died when they were dropped from their American label The End Records a few months before the release of Arche. I'm afraid with no American label supporting them for releasing physical albums and touring, they won't tour extensively in America ever again outside of NYC, Chicago, California and maybe even Texas.

I always really liked Beautiful Dirt idk why it gets so much hate, Jesus Christ R'n R however...

Yeah the Empire remake is the only flat out bad remake they have ever done. Shit studio and replacing such an amazing song live, it's going to be worse. Also regarding your 4th point you can get Gauze/Kisou/Macabre surprisingly easily, so that further makes this release pointless. Kinda hate that The End Records dropped them since that gives them less reason to tour the west in general, never mind America.

Did a quick search just now on where to get Gauze/Macabre/Kisou for peace of mind...yeah they're quite obtainable even if used which totally renders my last point null and void. Now the only thing this release has going for it is to market it as a pricey DEG playlist, haha.

The End Records had a long history of dropping bands...their most notable fallout was with the late Agalloch. They've recently been acquired or bought out by BMG...I don't think they exist anymore in a functioning label sense cause their website's a dead link and I can't even find a social media platform of theirs.

This release if worth it if you can speak Japanese for the documentary but that's about it.

I gotta say, for how much I hate the new Empire, I love the Beautiful Dirt remake. I can jam that song for hours and never get bored of it.

Album Rating: 2.0

Fukai is still my fave of the three

I like that DeG re-records old songs like this, giving them new life, even if some don't always hit the mark. Most bands wouldn't bother with something like that, or just leave it for a live setting.

They pretty much always fit the mark for me, but this Empire remake is trashhhh.

Album Rating: 2.0

Yeah, I agree Fadedsun, but tbf these aren't the best reimagining's.

I'd say Fukai would be if the production is better. Beautiful Dirt is a song so simple and fun it doesn't need that level of detail production wise to be awesome.

picking up a few things to fill out my diru collection. I've got Vulgar and the deluxe edition of DSS on the way (for the bonus tracks). is this worth dropping $40 on?

Album Rating: 2.0

Honestly? Nah I don't think so man

Not worth. Fill your collection with deluxe editions of the singles or something rather than this

Not even gonna bother with this.

Listen to the sick Fukai and Beautiful Dirt remakes and be done with it.

I think Diru are done now, sadly.

Just got a feeling Insulated World will be their last.

They kinda backed themselves into a corner with the 'holy trilogy', nowhere they could go but down after that tbh.