Die & Kaoru - Dir En Grey
The metal world needs a sharp turn in directions sometimes and that has fallen to Dir En Grey and their monstrous new release Dum Spiro Spero. DEG continues to innovate and the new record is no exception and their massively talented guitarists, Die and Kaoru, checked into to dive deep into the meanings of the new record.
An interview with Die and Kaoru of Dir En Grey.
By Jeffrey Easton
Metal Exiles: How does it feel to finally be done with Dum Spiro Spero?
Kaoru: I am very happy and relieved because it has taken so long. There was a tragedy that happened in Japan in March and we were in the studio recording at the time. So in the midst of making the album we had to stop and contemplate finishing the album or not. With the contemplation, discussions and getting together we decided what we can do is finish the album and release it and hopefully bring light and hope to our fans. I was really glad that we were able to finish the record.
Metal Exiles: With that in mind was there talk of the band being done and just getting the album out or are they going to continue?
Die: There was no talk of the band breaking up it was more about the album. In Japan in general music or any kind of art form is more of a luxury where other entities felt more signifigent. We felt we could stop and save energy because we were in the middle of a crisis so it was a pertinent decision that we needed to make on finishing the record or not.
Metal Exiles: I know about the countries circumstances so how hard was it to finish this record in a good sound mind?
Kaoru: We were not directly affected by the disaster but we did feel the earthquake and we were in the fighting time frame of the aftershocks. It was not about the earthquakes it was about the possible meltdown and exposure to radiation that frightened us. The info from the Japanese government was very vague and the info given to us had a lot of ambiguity to it. We were living in the unknown and not knowing what the future held for us which held more of our concern while making the album.
Metal Exiles: The new record is sinister and you continue to evolve what you do. Do you ever worry about being pigeonholed in a particular sound?
Die: When we create our music we do not have a set style or a genre even, we are not intending to have a goal in mind about our evolution it is something that ends up manifesting itself when the album is created. We put our entire soul into each song so the evolution runs parallel to our personal development. As we progress the evolution will continue.
Metal Exiles: The first single, Perfect Sense, comes with a disturbing video. Why did you choose the scenes that did make the video and what were you trying to say with it?
Kaoru: the fans can receive it and interpret it in any way they want, it is free for them to grasp it in their own way. We do not have a specific intention or message in our videos, we want people to have awareness without thinking, we want the video to entice people into exploring themselves.
Metal Exiles: I noticed in the video that there were nuclear images. Does that part of your history still permeate your culture?
Die: There was not a specific intention to showing the pics that you referenced. It is up to the viewers to respond to that.
Kaoru: It is just not in Japan but in all cultures where that is significant. We all have a past and a history but it is all about moving forward.
Metal Exiles: You guys are amazing guitarists and with that being said how hard is it to orchestrate the music around Kyo’s flamboyant vocals?
Kaoru: We have our riffs and rhythms writes words based on what we present him. The music always comes first but we arrange it together and depending on the wording or the style we change the rhythm or the riffs.
Metal Exiles: How hard is it for Kyo to come up with his own melodies or words against their music?
Die: We have had the same way of making music since the beginning, riffs, ryhthm and then Kyo comes in and he writes. We wait until he finds the imagery and emotion that he wants to convey. He listens and connects/identifies with the sound and from there he starts writing. There could be a lot of waiting or none but we balance each other out so whether he makes it difficult or not he would be the only one to know. It is not a difficulty it is just the time to identify with the music.
Metal Exiles: For this album it seems like there is a lot of mental imagery. What were they trying to get out of their system?
Die: Since the beginning we have always focused on the negativity may have in their hearts and that may show up as anger or sorrow or confusion. That has always been portrayed in the essence of our music. Our last album was very diverse, there were slower songs along with the rhythmic, faster songs but this time we have a constant style of music and with that consistency we wanted to branch out into stronger imagery and expression of our inner being. We do not know what the album will manifest itself into until we are done recording it.
Metal Exiles: When they write, do they dwell on their thoughts on what to write or do they let it flow?
Die: I usually let my ideas flow and while I am gathering my thoughts I pull out any thoughts that come to mind and I challenge myself with identifying different perspectives. I allow myself and push myself to look at many different directions and see what flows from that. I push myself not to be fearful of mistakes and failure and let it flow from there
Metal Exiles: I know they use ESP and their sound is amazing. Did they debut new ESP’s on this record or were they using older models?
Kaoru: We used a new seven string model as well as the eight string guitar that we played on the record and those models are currently in production right now.
Metal Exiles: What can we expect for a stage show when DEG tours America?
Kaoru: I expect it will be a lot more deeper and stronger in emotion this time. We want everybody to look forward to seeing it. I want the fans to identify with the music and have as much fun as possible connecting with us.
Metal Exiles: Are they surprised at, despite the language barrier, how hugely popular they are in America?
Die: I am not really surprised because when I was growing up I listened to American music and whether I understood the lyrics or not I still felt the power of the music and I was excited and inspired by the power of it. It doesn’t have to be in Japanese or English but I trust and believe in the strength of the emotion that is created through the music and the imagery and connection that is portrayed there.
Dir En Grey have captivated the world through their raw emotional energy and with Dum Spiro Spero they have taken it up another notch…
BUY Dum Spiro Spero
Official Dir En Grey Site
An interview with Die and Kaoru of Dir En Grey.
By Jeffrey Easton
Metal Exiles: How does it feel to finally be done with Dum Spiro Spero?
Kaoru: I am very happy and relieved because it has taken so long. There was a tragedy that happened in Japan in March and we were in the studio recording at the time. So in the midst of making the album we had to stop and contemplate finishing the album or not. With the contemplation, discussions and getting together we decided what we can do is finish the album and release it and hopefully bring light and hope to our fans. I was really glad that we were able to finish the record.
Metal Exiles: With that in mind was there talk of the band being done and just getting the album out or are they going to continue?
Die: There was no talk of the band breaking up it was more about the album. In Japan in general music or any kind of art form is more of a luxury where other entities felt more signifigent. We felt we could stop and save energy because we were in the middle of a crisis so it was a pertinent decision that we needed to make on finishing the record or not.
Metal Exiles: I know about the countries circumstances so how hard was it to finish this record in a good sound mind?
Kaoru: We were not directly affected by the disaster but we did feel the earthquake and we were in the fighting time frame of the aftershocks. It was not about the earthquakes it was about the possible meltdown and exposure to radiation that frightened us. The info from the Japanese government was very vague and the info given to us had a lot of ambiguity to it. We were living in the unknown and not knowing what the future held for us which held more of our concern while making the album.
Metal Exiles: The new record is sinister and you continue to evolve what you do. Do you ever worry about being pigeonholed in a particular sound?
Die: When we create our music we do not have a set style or a genre even, we are not intending to have a goal in mind about our evolution it is something that ends up manifesting itself when the album is created. We put our entire soul into each song so the evolution runs parallel to our personal development. As we progress the evolution will continue.
Metal Exiles: The first single, Perfect Sense, comes with a disturbing video. Why did you choose the scenes that did make the video and what were you trying to say with it?
Kaoru: the fans can receive it and interpret it in any way they want, it is free for them to grasp it in their own way. We do not have a specific intention or message in our videos, we want people to have awareness without thinking, we want the video to entice people into exploring themselves.
Metal Exiles: I noticed in the video that there were nuclear images. Does that part of your history still permeate your culture?
Die: There was not a specific intention to showing the pics that you referenced. It is up to the viewers to respond to that.
Kaoru: It is just not in Japan but in all cultures where that is significant. We all have a past and a history but it is all about moving forward.
Metal Exiles: You guys are amazing guitarists and with that being said how hard is it to orchestrate the music around Kyo’s flamboyant vocals?
Kaoru: We have our riffs and rhythms writes words based on what we present him. The music always comes first but we arrange it together and depending on the wording or the style we change the rhythm or the riffs.
Metal Exiles: How hard is it for Kyo to come up with his own melodies or words against their music?
Die: We have had the same way of making music since the beginning, riffs, ryhthm and then Kyo comes in and he writes. We wait until he finds the imagery and emotion that he wants to convey. He listens and connects/identifies with the sound and from there he starts writing. There could be a lot of waiting or none but we balance each other out so whether he makes it difficult or not he would be the only one to know. It is not a difficulty it is just the time to identify with the music.
Metal Exiles: For this album it seems like there is a lot of mental imagery. What were they trying to get out of their system?
Die: Since the beginning we have always focused on the negativity may have in their hearts and that may show up as anger or sorrow or confusion. That has always been portrayed in the essence of our music. Our last album was very diverse, there were slower songs along with the rhythmic, faster songs but this time we have a constant style of music and with that consistency we wanted to branch out into stronger imagery and expression of our inner being. We do not know what the album will manifest itself into until we are done recording it.
Metal Exiles: When they write, do they dwell on their thoughts on what to write or do they let it flow?
Die: I usually let my ideas flow and while I am gathering my thoughts I pull out any thoughts that come to mind and I challenge myself with identifying different perspectives. I allow myself and push myself to look at many different directions and see what flows from that. I push myself not to be fearful of mistakes and failure and let it flow from there
Metal Exiles: I know they use ESP and their sound is amazing. Did they debut new ESP’s on this record or were they using older models?
Kaoru: We used a new seven string model as well as the eight string guitar that we played on the record and those models are currently in production right now.
Metal Exiles: What can we expect for a stage show when DEG tours America?
Kaoru: I expect it will be a lot more deeper and stronger in emotion this time. We want everybody to look forward to seeing it. I want the fans to identify with the music and have as much fun as possible connecting with us.
Metal Exiles: Are they surprised at, despite the language barrier, how hugely popular they are in America?
Die: I am not really surprised because when I was growing up I listened to American music and whether I understood the lyrics or not I still felt the power of the music and I was excited and inspired by the power of it. It doesn’t have to be in Japanese or English but I trust and believe in the strength of the emotion that is created through the music and the imagery and connection that is portrayed there.
Dir En Grey have captivated the world through their raw emotional energy and with Dum Spiro Spero they have taken it up another notch…
BUY Dum Spiro Spero
Official Dir En Grey Site
