| | Full Review | Ratings (376) |
Give your Rating |
| 4.5 superb | JDane07 | December 10th 14 |
I may not be the most objective person here, as DIR EN GREY has been at the top
of my 'favorite bands' list for the better part of a decade, but I will let the cat out of
the bag early -- I love this album. New DIR EN GREY releases are always a special
time for me as full-length efforts are so far and few between. Marking well over three
years since the highly experimental yet flawed 'DUM SPIRO SPERO', ARCHE comes
at the perfect time to celebrate the bands 15th anniversary. And it is sure one hell of
a way to celebrate...
Let's start with the obvious: you never know what the **** to expect with this band.
It's one of the things I admire most -- DIR EN GREY is never content with settling for
the same sound, technique, or image. Go listen to UROBOROS, then directly follow it
with the aforementioned DUM SPIRO SPERO if you don't believe me. And then after
that listen to The Marrow of a Bone for even further reassurance. The sense of
evolution and undulation with DIR EN GREY is what makes for such an enchanting
and intoxicating listen.
Instead of giving you a play-by-play of every song, I'm going to make it easy and
insist that you go experience this album for yourself. There's a little bit of everything
for anyone here -- did you miss their trademark melodies in 'DSS'? Excellent, go
enjoy Un deux, Soshaku, Tousei, Behind a Vacant Image, and more. Do you like a
little experimentation? Absolutely blissful! Go listen to Phenomenon and Uroko. How
'bout some of the most diverse vocals in the world? Good, cause this album is
littered with more range than a statistics class on steroids. It's certainly not a one-
man show, however; everyone brought their A-game for this release. While you won't
be absolutely blown away by any instrumental work, it's hard not to admire the
maturity of these compositions.
Prepare for nothing but entrancement and captivation as you venture unknowingly
into the world DIR EN GREY paints in ARCHE. It's not perfect -- there are flaws,
missteps and opportunities gone array (I'm looking at you, remaster of Sustain the
Untruth) -- but imperfection is such a minor price to pay for what might be my album
of the year.
10 Bumps | Bump |
| 5.0 classic | Jared Floryan | December 10th 14 |
(8/31/18): Every once in a jade moon, it's no problem reminiscing about the past. That said, dwelling on that point in one's life is not recommended. Just keep moving forward, which is something Dir En Grey have done for a while now - and that especially came into play with the band's ninth studio offering. Greek for the word 'origin,' it's appropriate that Arche was given the title that it got since the record pretty much existed to celebrate Diru's humble beginnings alongside what they're about in the now. The album encompassed many sounds that this group explored during their classic, mid-era, and more recent phases, all while incorporating new elements into their style and adding onto what was already established. I should note that, within the holy trinity, Arche was easily the most harmonious of the bunch; the dreamlike, reverb-heavy choice of production accentuated those melodic moments. And wouldn't you know it? This was another spotless LP on DEG's end that's a thoughtful blast and a half. No serious complaints with it tbh.
4 Bumps | Bump |
| 4.5 superb | MLowend | December 12th 14 |
When Dir en grey released Dum Spiro Spero, I had a sad realization that they would never top rUroboros. I had another realization when I finished ARCHE. I was wrong.
3 Bumps | Bump |
| 5.0 classic | Brabiz | January 8th 20 |
This is basically what TOOL tried to do with Fear Inoculum. This album bleeds character and vibrancy. This is a must-hear.
1 Bumps | Bump |
| 0.0 | Xenophanes EMERITUS | December 17th 14 |
You guys they're like a Japanese Korn. Can we just stop this now?
1 Bumps | Bump |
| 4.5 superb | Furik | December 10th 14 |
After a little over 3 years since Dum Spiro Spero, I can finally say they have outdone their self. I rated DSS a little higher than I should have but looking back at it now, it's nothing memorable. This is. This album has everything you'd want to please fans of both spectrums - whether their older or new. It is very obvious with their last tour and re-recordings that they were digging into their older material for inspiration and this album shows that. I think every fan will enjoy this.
1 Bumps | Bump |
| 3.5 great | Erwann S. EMERITUS | January 2nd 24 |
Arche contains all the elements I don't like about Dir en Grey: goofy vocals, overlong records full of proficient yet wildly unfocused tracks - BUT! This time I found the compositions to be extremely dynamic and enjoyable despite all my grief with the band - it's still goofy and overlong and unfocused yet I enjoy it? woo!
Bump |
| 5.0 classic | haritsuke | April 15th 21 |
This is the album they were building up to for all those years
Bump |
| 0.0 | zetsumeisama | January 18th 19 |
"Until The Quiet Comes!"- Kyo. Best Dir En Grey songs: Revelation of Mankind + Vinushka + The Final. Favorite Tracks: Revelation of Mankind, Sustain the Untruth, Tousei, Rinkaku, Un deux, Uroko, Soshaku, Cause of Fickleness, Chain Repulsion, Behind a Vacant Image, Kukoku no kyouon.
Bump |
| 4.5 superb | redriverhautbois | July 23rd 15 |
This album is definitely a grower. It's also a nice return to form. Dum Spiro Spero was a lot of good ideas poorly executed and it seems they're playing more to their strengths on Arche; which are hooks and atmosphere.
Bump |
| 4.5 superb | Dummit | December 12th 14 |
Oops... They did it again.
Bump |
| 4.0 excellent | rheey90 | December 12th 14 |
This is much better than Dum Spiro Spero. A great mix between old and new. Also, Kyo's range has expanded yet again which adds more diversity into the band's style.
Bump |
| 4.5 superb | TheKleszcz | December 9th 14 |
So damn good. I feared it would be like The Unraveling, but it's... well, like Arche. Great mix between the old and the new.
Bump |
| 4.0 excellent | Emo | August 20th 24 |
| 4.0 excellent | Kahrbo | April 8th 24 |
| 4.5 superb | Tool1 | February 26th 24 |
| 3.5 great | Toolock | February 11th 24 |
| 4.5 superb | vannaie | January 11th 24 |
| 5.0 classic | moku | November 3rd 23 |
| 4.0 excellent | haley | May 31st 23 |
| 4.5 superb | Tori | May 17th 23 |
| 5.0 classic | Belal | July 3rd 22 |
| 4.5 superb | Henry | June 27th 22 |
| 4.5 superb | baruga | June 21st 22 |
| 5.0 classic | Laen | June 17th 22 |
| 4.0 excellent | raddlad | January 20th 22 |
| 4.0 excellent | Jamdbz | May 11th 21 |
| 4.5 superb | alamo | March 19th 21 |
| 3.5 great | Spag | February 16th 21 |
| 4.0 excellent | Grandpa | February 13th 21 |
| 4.0 excellent | P0laris | February 5th 21 |
| 4.5 superb | Oobaloo | January 17th 21 |
| 3.5 great | ariich | October 2nd 20 |
| 4.5 superb | brvb | August 22nd 20 |
| 3.0 good | Zaleb | July 19th 20 |
| 4.0 excellent | Wolfe | January 24th 20 |
| 4.0 excellent | Evenoss | January 4th 20 |
| 4.5 superb | Uzumaki | November 8th 19 |
| 4.5 superb | nbats | July 28th 19 |
| 4.0 excellent | josh | July 10th 19 |
| 4.0 excellent | JayDawg | February 8th 19 |
| 4.0 excellent | Kaze | February 3rd 19 |
| 5.0 classic | Blurbs | December 19th 18 |
| 4.5 superb | Zen1th | December 6th 18 |
| 5.0 classic | Aster | December 3rd 18 |
| 4.0 excellent | Wongeh | September 26th 18 |
| 4.5 superb | Aranox | August 1st 18 |
| 4.5 superb | Vakian | July 11th 18 |
| 4.0 excellent | AriDoe | May 23rd 18 |
| 4.5 superb | zuzek | May 7th 18 |
| 3.5 great | k4lisk4 | February 23rd 18 |
| 4.5 superb | elch21 | January 13th 18 |
| 4.0 excellent | Izzy2049 | November 24th 17 |
| 4.0 excellent | ctay145 | October 15th 17 |
| 4.5 superb | Lestat | October 6th 17 |
| 4.5 superb | yoyusu | August 18th 17 |
| 4.0 excellent | YeeHaw | July 11th 17 |
| 4.0 excellent | ElSomni | June 16th 17 |
| 4.0 excellent | SadLad | April 22nd 17 |
| 3.5 great | Xavier | March 19th 17 |
| 4.5 superb | emmny | March 10th 17 |
| 4.5 superb | El Olam | December 25th 16 |
| 3.5 great | Swarm | November 14th 16 |
| 4.5 superb | Hyndez | September 10th 16 |
| 3.5 great | Snide | August 20th 16 |
| 3.5 great | Vildh | June 9th 16 |
| 4.5 superb | Greidy | April 23rd 16 |
| 4.0 excellent | ICDD | March 28th 16 |
| 4.0 excellent | shem | February 18th 16 |
| 5.0 classic | Shinya | January 3rd 16 |
| 3.0 good | Mojito | December 28th 15 |
| 4.5 superb | Elynna | December 4th 15 |
| 3.0 good | nemmm | November 8th 15 |
| 5.0 classic | Vorpax | October 1st 15 |
| 5.0 classic | gtlora | September 15th 15 |
| 4.0 excellent | Abraxas | August 26th 15 |
| 5.0 classic | Geth | August 12th 15 |
| 3.5 great | Jeejee | March 22nd 15 |
| 3.0 good | bmelt | March 4th 15 |
| 4.0 excellent | ellagos | March 3rd 15 |
| 3.5 great | Lours | February 26th 15 |
| 3.5 great | Prole | February 23rd 15 |
| 4.0 excellent | Dondoc | February 6th 15 |
| 4.0 excellent | deadoku | January 28th 15 |
| 5.0 classic | heck | January 20th 15 |
| 4.5 superb | Sickla | January 19th 15 |
| 4.0 excellent | RobotE | January 18th 15 |
| 3.5 great | Dr7 | January 5th 15 |
| 5.0 classic | XIWinD | January 5th 15 |
| 4.0 excellent | Jamper | January 1st 15 |
| 5.0 classic | heyadam | December 31st 14 |
| 4.5 superb | B888IE | December 31st 14 |
| 4.5 superb | Zeg | December 29th 14 |
| 4.5 superb | Sithese | December 29th 14 |
| 4.0 excellent | Acanthus | December 28th 14 |
| 4.5 superb | Tyrael | December 28th 14 |
| 2.5 average | Niilz | December 28th 14 |
| 4.0 excellent | Yeeeayuh | December 24th 14 |
| 5.0 classic | Inferis | December 19th 14 |
| 4.0 excellent | Escain | December 18th 14 |
| 4.5 superb | Gnome7 | December 16th 14 |
| 3.0 good | Thibs | December 16th 14 |
| 4.0 excellent | Shiranui | December 16th 14 |
| 4.5 superb | gosk8n | December 16th 14 |
| 4.5 superb | CWBrown | December 15th 14 |
| 4.0 excellent | Veldin | December 15th 14 |
| 4.5 superb | ngk44 | December 14th 14 |
| 4.0 excellent | FadedSun | December 14th 14 |
| 5.0 classic | leycec | December 14th 14 |
| 5.0 classic | Simon K. STAFF | December 13th 14 |
| 4.0 excellent | Naeveo | December 13th 14 |
| 4.5 superb | Tom2704 | December 12th 14 |
| 4.5 superb | Zantera | December 12th 14 |
| 4.5 superb | misho87 | December 12th 14 |
| 4.5 superb | Ddv94 | December 11th 14 |
| 5.0 classic | SlimJim | December 11th 14 |
| 4.0 excellent | Trebor. EMERITUS | December 10th 14 |
| 5.0 classic | Zelpora | December 9th 14 |
| 4.5 superb | Eremita | December 9th 14 |
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