Kaoru (age undisclosed), leader of the world famous rock band DIR EN GREY, gave us an interview just before he left for the European tour which starts on the 6th. The band just finished domestic leg of ‘TOUR18 WEARING HUMAN SKIN’ last month on the 15th and they released their 10th album ‘The Insulated World’ on the 26th. Kaoru talked about overseas tours and the new album.
――You finished the domestic tour
薫：It was a tour done while we were recording at the same time, I was working on playing shows and on recording, like on the contrary I had no more strenght left in my shoulders/arms, without being too worked up, it was really great.
――During the tour you have played songs from the new album. “Ranunculus’ especially is a unusual straight ballad for DIR EN GREY
薫：It’s like the vector is different on this album, the writing is also simple. Like getting the feeling not in a straightforward way ‘they would want to listen to it’ adding more of our essense, but this album had a strong feeling that 'all 13 songs create one work’, so as much as possible we made it easy to add songs. Personally I would hate the feeling of getting a spoiler listening to the last song of the album before the album is released, but when you actually listen to the album the last song changes.
――It’s a gentle/soft song
薫：Is it? (laughing) A while ago Kyo participated in SUGIZO’s solo album, and, it seems that the image of DIR is 'strong/violent’ so it seems SUGIZO’s fans were surprised 'he also sang a songs like that (a ballad)’. We actually have songs like that, but after realizing it is not known, it was like let’s release such 'Ranunculus’ as the album’s title song.
――what about the meaning of the album title
薫：Kyo created the title, but, well, as in every person is different, I think he created a title from feeling he had inside. Also, I think it includes the meaning of DIR EN GREY 'going to a new world’.
――on the 6th you will start a first in roughly 4 years European tour
薫：Last time we also had a tour together with releasing an album. I have a memory of going playing album songs overseas. But as it’s been few years I also feel like we only played album songs. For example, if a foreign artist comes to Japan and only plays album songs, here as well many people think 'please play this song as well!’. So this time [deciding setlist] we will include album songs as well as songs that we think people like.
――How do you spend time abroad
薫：Ah, it feels like we just stay in the bus. We okay a concert, ride a bus and go to the next country. When entering other country I can feel strongly that I’m abroad. When crossing the boarder, when we have to show passports it’s very tough if it’s a middle of the night or early morning (wry laugh).
――Any anecdotes outside the concerts?
薫：During the afterparty in Russia you drink a lot of vodka. But drinking while standing you get drunk quickly. When it gets really bad for me, I just pretend to drink and toss it behind me (wry laugh). Our attitude on stage stays the same, but I’m wondering how much we can make it enjoyable for the foreign fans.
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