Review Summary: "...unsettling and tranquil at the same time - it feels more than just a collection of songs."
Incandescent emotion is not that hard to spot when the artist's heart is in the right place, making a piece of music flow together all so elegantly using expressive lyrics, hard-hitting instrumentation, and powerful production is a phenomenal trait for an album to withhold and it can't be that hard for such a vibrant band like Dir En Grey.
Dum Spiro Spero is the 8th outing for the Japanese metal band; and it's a finesse-filled project as to be expected, but there's also a noticeable heavy difference in the tone, and a brutal yet beautifully set atmosphere that many may not expect.
Leave it to Japan of all places to be unpredictable, after all.
Kyo as the vocalist never fails to impress me with his consistently well-done vocals, whether it's singing or growling - although there's also plenty of hair-raising shrieks and harmonic high notes to be found - I can see how it can turn some listeners off, I don't know if I can listen to this specific project in every single waking moment of my existence.
Despite all that, the vocals never really feel forced thanks to the sheer flair that the band puts into their work, it particularly impresses me at how Kyo is able to deliver such soothing whispers that build up to such intoxicating guttarals pretty damn flawlessly especially on tracks like "Different Sense", "Yokusō ni Dreambox", "Sh-tataru Mōrō", and "Diabolos."
The production is either always intense or relaxing, and it never gives a dull moment in my eyes - the bass lines, riffs, and drums all contribute in painting this twisted landscape that you just get lost in, this band obviously doesn't want anyone to think that they don't have range or talent even for a second.
The lyrics that the band writes are an inherent aspect of this album that I'd deeply reccomend; every line I read said something to me - that means it has substance, and after every row I was left wondering what was going to be said next, it's rather captivating;
"Wasted time, if I were to foolishly raise the voice of fear, then somewhere... Dreams will be ablaze and living will be out of reach.
Prey, adore.
Neglect for sexual pleasure.
The hanging petal.
If the future will be corrupt, then be buried in luxury.
Starvation will slit our mouths,
till the day my heart cries out..."
"Not even realizing having lost everything,
You lose yourself craving the dream.
A toast to you! As you hide underneath that smile,
clinging on to the answer that can't save you;
No one to pamper you!
It's time to end it, along with the feeling of regret."
The album is pretty well organized, the mood is set wonderfully from the get-go; I wouldn't have picked another track like "The Blossoming Beelzebub" to start the show.
Still, it's a long trip and there is some tracks I could do without like the distorted instrumental in the beginning, and other tracks like "Decayed Crow" or "Hageshisa to, Kono Mune no Naka de Karamitsuita Shakunetsu no Yami" for lacking my preferred mixture of clean and heavy vocals. (the deluxe edition also has a bonus track and a symphonic version of "Amon", both I wouldn't write home about)
This entire composition leaves you in suspense, it's unsettling and tranquil at the same time - it feels more than just a collection of songs. Although it can come across as having less replay value than some of their other albums given things like the aggressive nature, and also having one or two gratuitous moments here and there - it's nowhere near enough to dismiss the entire thing altogether as an evident awe-inspiring work of art.
Favourites:
The vocals, the production, the dexterity, the lyrics, and damn near every track
Least Favourites:
"Decayed Crow", "Hageshisa to, Kono Mune no Naka de Karamitsuita Shakunetsu no Yami", the deluxe edition
AWARDS:
Daddy's Little Girl: Different Sense
The Son I Never Wanted: Decayed Crow
