Dir En Grey
One of the most influential bands of the post-visual kei era popular in Japan during the 90s, Dir En Grey are one of the most successful non-English lyric bands since Rammstein. Experimental, raw and unafraid to push the boundaries, the band have undergone several stylistic changes, exploring everything from nu metal and metalcore in their earlier days to a more extreme and progressive sound in their more recent albums.
Vocalist and frontman Kyo is a focal point of the band for his astonishing vocal range, with the ability to croon one minute and growl like a possessed demon the next. He’s also drawn controversy for his idea of performance art, and has been known to cut and injure himself on stage, bringing a whole new dimension to suffering for your art. Less blood, more metal though, we say.
