#d l

D†L was a visual kei band active between 1996 and 1999. Notably, their guitarist Akira briefly played guitar for LAREINE in 1997. Toshiya played support guitar in D†L in 1996, between GOSICK disbanding and DIR EN GREY's formation. This demo tape is allegedly the first, and probably would have been recorded sometime around 1997. After disbanding D†L, Akira would go on to join BIJOU. Vocalist shuji went on to form DROP OUT PUNKS in 2007, and they are still active.

Some footage of Toshiya performing with D+L sometime in late 1996 or early 1997. :3

"Here Comes the Sun" The Beatles as performed by George Harrison (damn you, copyright strikes!) "Little darling, it's been a long cold lonely winter Little darling, it feels like years since it's been here Here comes the sun, here comes the sun And I say: it's all right" Full lyrics here George Harrison was always my favorite Beatle since I knew who they were and could name them all. He was the guitarist, he wasn't as flashy and well-known as John or Paul. And, Ringo, well... I generally don't mention my feelings on Ringo because people tend to feel different. But George always felt special to me. He always had his songs shut out by John and Paul. When The Beatles broke up, George recorded and released a TRIPLE ALBUM of material. His solo career was marked with up and down reactions from critics and fans. In short, I love George Harrison and appreciate him the most of the Fab Four. And you gave me another reason to appreciate music, and most of all, George. More than any other song, this one will ALWAYS remind me of you. Maybe that's for the best too. This song helped me a lot with getting through just as many others did. I wish I could feature all of them, and maybe someday I will. But this one is integral to the list and beats out every other one. As I grieved and healed in this difficult time, music was here for me as much as any friend or relative. This song especially taught me that there is always happiness and healing over the horizon, and if we keep our heads up, we'll see the sunrise ahead. SOTD: 1/28/2017, part 4

DIR EN GREY Band History (what I found so far). If you have something to add, please let me know! :)

"The Pass" Rush Presto (1989) "Turn around and turn around and turn around Turn around and walk the razor's edge Don't turn your back and slam the door on me" Full lyrics here I'll never forget the day that I found out or the feeling that I had. I'll never forget sitting in class still just trying to understand it and comprehend what had happened. I'll never forget sitting in circles talking about you and how we remembered you or the silence that took the place of that. I'll never forget being so close to tears at so many moments. I'll never forget my huge group hug with my friends. I'll never forget sitting and listening to music after rehearsal and finally just losing it and bawling. I'll never forget going to the wake and seeing so many people. I'll never forget talking to your family and your siblings. I'll never forget singing for you and what an honor it was to be a part of that. I'll never forget the way we all banded together and I felt more like part of a family than ever. I'll never forget any of those feelings, the love and connection with others, the sadness and the grief, any of it. I don't know why I associate this song with you. If you know what it's about, it's really the opposite. But I think in some ways it's about a cry for help and holding your hand out and screaming "Don't go." I think a lot of us were feeling that in the aftermath. We were all confused and wondering and we didn't know what to do. But more than anything we wanted to reach out. And we did reach out to each other. You brought us together and made us feel like family in a way I've never experienced my whole life. That was one of the most important parts of the whole thing. I made connections and had conversations I would never have imagined before that whole thing. I made some friendships that I never expected. It sounds wrong to say that good things came out of it, but I'm beyond grateful for the way the communities I was a part of banded together and provided the emotional support we all needed. SOTD: 1/28/2017, part 3

"Afterimage" Rush Grace Under Pressure (1984) "Tried to believe but you know it's no good This is something that just can't be understood" Full lyrics here It's been a year since you left us. You're still on my mind all the time. I don't know if I'll ever understand what you went through or what caused you to ultimately choose the end you did. Your private struggle was something I didn't know anything about and maybe never would have, but that's almost the most unbelievable part of the whole thing. Throughout it all, you were still yourself. You were still smart and kind and funny and beloved by everybody. You were always quick with a joke and took the time to learn about people and what they liked. You loved music more than anyone I know and I'll always remember our conversations about those the most. Music is the best way I can remember you. And just for that reason alone, I'll never forget you. SOTD: 1/28/17, part 1 attempt who knows/who knows

As if I could ever find someone who thrilled me in the same way that you did. That’s why I still burn for you.