Dir En Grey

I originally posted this in errors/ omissions but was told to give it a try here. PA currently considers Dir En Grey to be prog, so I guess this post is in the right place. I usually don't care whether a band is on here or not, or if they should be in this sub-genre or that one, but this was bugging me because it seems like a mistake.

-----original post----------

I have been very confused since I noticed that Dir En Grey was included on this site. I saw them at the Family Values Tour last summer with Korn and the Deftones, and I was thinking: "this can't be the same band, this band is not progressive or prog at all."

Sure enough, it was the same Japanese theatrical metal band. I've researched this band using this site, Wikipedia (which I believe is a reliable source for this subject) and some other fan sites and amazon.com reviews.

I don't think that the "Visual Kei" concept is good enough for inclusion to PA because it really has nothing to do with the music. (Personally, on a side-note, I think its just a fancy excuse to wear make-up and women's clothing, something Poison was great at 20 years ago).

I looked at the reviews for "Withering to Death", their 4.13-rated "masterpiece" and none of the reviewers mention progressiveness or any other qualities of the band that would lead me to believe that they should be included.

I think that this band is just an alternative band. I realize that they have some depth to their sound, but I don't think it's enough for PA.

Look at the video (on this site) called "Clever Sleazoid" and tell me if you see anything progressive going on. I don't. I just see a modern rock band.

Check this out too, its on their page on PA: Why this artist must be listed in www.progarchives.com : If you want to know Japan's original rock music, you must begin by the group that is successful, somewhat world-wide known, but still alternative and still playing what they really want: Dir en grey.
^^^^well alright....?

I just want to be informed, educated on why this band is on PA, because I can't see anything on PA that justifies their inclusion.

(I know that my personal opinion of a band has Nothing to do with whether they will or will not be on this site, but, by the way, I thought they were terrible at the Family Values Tour... Maybe their extreme sound is good on record [I said "maybe" because I think its awful], but live, it was horrible, almost unidentifiable.)

Either I'm right, or somebody needs to throw me a bone.


What do you think?


Edited by explodingjosh - September 28 2007 at 19:12

woops. Have they always been in Prog-Related??? I could've sworn they were somewhere else. Maybe they moved when Art Rock split.

Well, my argument sucks now. I still think Prog-Related is a stretch. They were on that Family Values Tour for a reason. To me, having them on PA is like having Deftones, Korn, Lacuna Coil, or Flyleaf here. Doesn't seem right.

Anyways, I mind as well say it myself.... pointless thread.


Edited by explodingjosh - September 28 2007 at 19:57

They always seemed like pop music to me. If you disagree, I only have one thing to say to you: visit Japan.