GO GO GADGET NECROMANCY!
I have a couple of news snippets regarding the new album so I thought I'd post them here.
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In the studio with... DIR EN GREY
Kings of J-Rock take the impulsive approach for new album
Primed to launch a fresh assault on the rest of the world, Japanese metallicwhackjobs Dir En Grey are in the midst of recording their seventh full-length album. The follow-up to 2007’s widely acclaimed The Marrow of a Bone, the band’s new opus is being recorded in Japan and produced by Yoshiki Hayashi, a founder member of X-Japan, one of the country’s biggest rock bands. Hammer spoke to Dir En Grey guitarist Kaoru about whether the new album was going to be the one to break the band both in the UK and the United States.
“Absolutely!†says Kaoru. “But we are trying to create Japanese sounds that are not British or American. We thought about getting an international engineer or producer, but we decided not to. We thought that recording in Japan might be more suitable for our work this time. We’ve never worked with Yoshiki before, but he’s like one of our forefathers. We call him ‘Abarenbo Shogun’ which means he’s a rowdy general.â€Â
*As with their previous albums, the as-yet-untitled new one is likely to feature a dizzying array of disparate styles alongside Dir En Grey’s trademark metal chops. As Kaoru explains, the band favour spontaneity over planning.
“I guess we well recognize the right direction for the songs as we progress,†he states. “Whatever happens, the album will be stuffed with guilt and reincarnation, as well as the past, present and future of Dir En Grey.â€Â
*Already huge in Japan, Dir En Grey look certain to build on their international reputation during 2008, as anyone who witnessed the scenes of hysteria when the band hit London last year will testify. As Kaoru explains, UK fans should prepare themselves for their imminent return.
“We will spend half of this year making an album and the rest touring,†he says. “There’s no specific plan right now, but we will be in the UK in the near future. Our shows in London last year were really amazing."
THE NEW DIR EN GREY ALBUM WILL BE RELEASED LATER THIS YEAR VIA GAN-SHIN RECORDS.
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BLABBERMOUTH.NET SAID
"Japanese rockers DIR EN GREY have begun work on their next album at the studio in the Sony Tokyo building. Pre-production started at the beginning of March, with the actual recording of the first few tracks currently in progress. The band then plans to return to pre-production to work on the remainder of the songs.
"The album will be stuffed with themes of 'guilt and reincarnation' as well as 'the past, present and future of DIR EN GREY,'" guitarist Kaoru explains in a press release. "This will be heavier and darker than previous albums, with a sort of oriental and religious mood and connotations. We're experimenting with different sounds  we'd like to introduce a multitude of different instruments on this album."
Produced by the band itself, the CD is planned for release later in 2008, but no date has yet been set."
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First I'd like to point out that there are a few contradictions in these news stories.
Kaoru says that they have never worked with Yoshiki before. Now correct me if I'm wrong, but wasn't Yoshiki producer on "Gauze"?
Also, in the second story it says that the band will be producing the album themselves, when it clearly says in the first that Yoshiki will be producing it. Perhaps they are doing a collaboration with Yoshiki on the production? Or maybe Yoshiki isn't involved after all?
But anyway, "A multitude of different instruments" eh? Religious and oriental mood and connotations you say? Sounds pretty promising to me. It seems like they are really going to try and push forward with this release. I can't wait to hear it. I'm glad its been confirmed for a 2008 release, there were rumors swirling around that the album might get pushed to 2009.
So... Who else is PUMPED?!