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generasia:Featured article for 2019 week 38

DIR EN GREY promoting "The world of mercy" (2019)

DIR EN GREY

DIR EN GREY is a rock-metal band, formed in 1997 and went major in 1999 when they signed to FIREWALL DIV. They were formed by former members of indie band La:Sadie's. They released their first mini-album MISSA in 1997. In 1998, they became the first Japanese independent band to enter the singles top ten on the Oricon music charts following the release of singles "JEALOUS" and "-I'll-". Five subsequent singles, arranged and produced by X JAPAN co-founder YOSHIKI, were published during the first half of 1999, with the band's first full-length album, GAUZE, following. One of the shows in support of the album (filmed at the Osaka-jo Hall) would later become the first of several live concerts to be released on VHS and DVD.

In 2002, along with the release of their third full-length album Kisou, DIR EN GREY gave their first performances outside of Japan, touring China, Taiwan, and South Korea. In 2005, they performed in Europe for the first time. Their concerts in Berlin and Paris (as part of the It Withers and Withers tour) sold out without promotion, save for newsletters by import record stores and internet-based word of mouth. That same year also saw the first official European releases, in the form of that year's album Withering to death. In early 2006 touring was expanded to the United States. The band performed in Austin, Texas (South by Southwest festival), New York City (Avalon Club) and Los Angeles, California (Wiltern Theatre), followed by the North American release of Withering to death.. Once again, all shows sold out within days.

Originally their style was visual-kei, but later on, they settled down for a vaguely visual style. They drastically change their look with the release of each album.

Their 30th major single, "The world of mercy", is released this week on September 18th.