Dir En Grey - 予感 (YOKAN) REACTION by Jei

Dir En Grey is a Japanese heavy metal band formed in February 1997 and currently signed to Firewall Div., a sub-division of Free-Will. With a consistent lineup of guitarists Kaoru and Die, vocalist Kyo, drummer Shinya and bassist Toshiya, they have released eleven full-length albums. Numerous stylistic changes have made the genre of their music difficult to determine, though it is generally considered to be a form of metal. Originally a visual kei band, the members later opted for more subtle attire, but have continued to maintain a dramatic image on stage Kyo (born February 16 1976 in Kyoto); vocalist and lyricist since the band formed. Kaoru (born February 17, 1974, in Hyōgo); band leader, lead guitar, backing vocals. He has been with Dir En Grey since its inception in 1997 and was previously a member of CHARM and La:Sadie's. He composed most of the group's songs up to the Vulgar album, at which point individual credits for composition were dropped. He performs many solos for the band. Kaoru cites X Japan guitarist Hide as his biggest influence and the reason he plays guitar, saying "If I had never known him, I wouldn't be who I am today." Since 2014, Kaoru has suffered from nerve paralysis, and has sometimes resorted to taping his guitar plectrum to his hand. Since 2015, he hosts a radio program turned YouTube channel, "The Freedom of Expression". Die (born December 20, 1974, in Mie); rhythm guitar, backing vocals. Has been with the group since its inception in 1997. In the mid-1990s, he was a member of the bands Ka･za･ri and La:Sadie's. In 2015, Die began a side project, Decays, for which he is the vocalist and guitarist. Die composed several songs for Dir En Grey, such as "304 Goushitsu, Hakushi no Sakura", "Wake", and "Mr.Newsman". Die became interested in rock music after hearing Buck-Tick's album Aku no Hana in junior high school. He developed his love of guitar from D'erlanger's debut album La Vie En Rose and called their guitarist Cipher his "guitar her