Dir En Grey Gauze Full Album Opinion. Absolutely incredible. 

I think I’ve said this so many times but this is one of my fave albums of all time, and yeah it made me so, so, so happy that I could listen to it together with you again and hear your comments on it. For me there was something almost near perfect about this album, it lifts you up when it needs to, it brings you down when it needs to, it makes you happy, sad and uncomfortable all at once and it’s a standard that a lot of ppl should aspire to. This was the album that got me into vk and like you, I actually felt sad that I didn’t hear it when it first came out but much later, but I was lucky enough to go for the Gauze anniversary tour (for two nights) and managed to hear all these songs live, which was so extremely emotional. Thanks so much for your insights! And although the band doesn’t sound like this anymore, their evolution has always been beautiful. Ps: my vote is Kisou! Failing which, Uroboros is also so good (but do the remastered version, much better)

While the lyrics on GAUZE can be seen as more simplistic than later DIR EN GREY albums, they still come across as very powerful. Songs like “Tsumi To Batsu” and “Mazohyst Of Decadance” leave a really uncomfortable feeling in terms of the lyrics for the listener.

This is one of the the most classic albums in VK history and seriously those songs never get old. No matter how hold you get haha. No, but really.. Yokan is still my ultimate and that solo made me fall for DEG and Die as a composer (his song). I'm glad you got to doing this album. Anyway! since you told me to remind you D'espairsray, I'm going to also remind you Luna Sea's first album because that is another classic and true sound of the 90's VK essence! I made a playlist of it here on YT, it's on my profile if you want and the lyrics to it you can find collected on their vk.com group.

YEEEEEEESSSS, you finally heard j-pop/prog-rock/pop-rock Dir en grey. Yokan is legendary, lol.

Don't forget that Dir en grey recorded a music video (PV) for every song on this album, so for full enjoyment please have a look at the complete DVD.

My vote is on Vulgar, because it is so beautifully poppy and dark in a way that only Dir En Grey can be :) A special blend :)

That's why I love DEG, they didn't just evolve through their career, they evolved and never stopped to produce good music. No matter how I feel at the moment, DIG probably produced something that fits my mood.

THANK.YOU. I'll try and restrain myself because I could go on and write pages about this album but "Akuro no Oka" is my favorite song by them. It's the one song I heard that made me decide I was going to listen to these guys for the rest of my life.

Man I LOVE your Dir en Grey album reactions! Please do more! It would be awesome if you will continue to progress (2nd, 3rd album and so on) to understand their evolving, their way to incredible DSS and Arche. They were good from the start, but their evolving process is what you should research! So I will vote for: Macabre, then Kisou, Vulgar, Withering to Death, The Marrow of a Bone, Uroboros. And keep in mind - NEW ALBUM coming THIS september! SO you must finish them all until that :)) Thank you!

I love this album, it's so special and one of my favorites from dir en Grey. Takes me back to 2006 and highschool, when I first discovered the vk scene and started listening to all these songs and learning them on guitar. Truly magical times and listening to this music for the first time was amazing and even more amazing is how much I still enjoy listening to it now , 12 years later and it's even more fresh like fine wine.

So happy that you listened to Yokan! It's always amazing to me that Dir en grey is able to create songs like both Yokan and Agitated Screams of Maggots. The diversity and complexity of their music is just incredible. Great video!! I hope you listen to Withering to Death at some point!

Oh wow, thank you! I’ve sort of pushed Gauze to the side over the years as DEG dove into heavier material even though it has some of m favorite songs from them. But listening to it thru your ears gave me a new appreciation for it. You won’t believe your ears if you ever listen to the remake of Tsumi to Batsu (just make sure it’s not Tsumi to Kisei, which was a censored version and is missing some vocal lines). The remake is so far and away from the original that it’s basically a new song. But all the old elements are there, just repurposed for a doom/death dirge feel. As for Mazohyst of Decadence, it should have been Masochist but it had to be altered to be submitted and accepted by the label. Also you may have noticed there was a bleeped out word, and that word was “kikeiji” which means deformed child. Deformities are sort of a taboo subject in Japan due to the aftermath of the atomic bomb drops, so the word had to be censored.

Mazohyst is actually an intentional misspelling of masochist :) P.s love the video

Oh my god I feel 16 when I first heard them. Thank you Mr. Baldman for rediscovering this with you!

i'll never be able to explain GAUZE. so many completely different emotions in one album... it just makes me happy for having discovered this band...by the way, Akuro no oka always makes me cry i always remember my mother. Thank you so much for this,going through albums with you is always a fun journey

This was a blessing, thank you so much and thanks to Susi (I hope I spelled that right ^^') for all the work she put into this! I was looking forward to hear and see you react to Mazohyst of Decadance which is still one of my top 10 Dir en grey tracks and your reaction made me feel as touched by the song as I was when I listened to it for the first time. (That gut-wrenching feeling never truly fades but you become more familiar with it....so it's nice to have that reminder, like hearing/reading the words for the first time. If that makes any sense....) Because you mentioned Kyo's lower register, I would like to recommend "304 goshitsu, shita to yoru" from Sukekiyo: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE--nhZDk_Mzb8.html It's not a remake of 304 goshitsu, hakushi no Sakura from this album but from a song Kyo released with his first poem book back in 2001. Next Album? MACABRE! Let's go chronologically :) (Though I am really looking forward to hear your insight and commentary on Kisou! I simply love that album but all the interludes are so confusing and they put so many different sounds on that one, it's like you're actually hearing a compilation album with different bands)

I'm glad that I got to re-listen the whole album with you! Thanks for your insightful commentary as always. I'm a big fan of Kyo's older voice and singing style. I think it sounds so beautiful... When I first listened to Mazohyst of Decadence while reading the lyrics, I cried my eyes out and always skipped it on the record just because it gave me such an emotional turmoil. Great song though so I tend to listen to the live versions. Tsumi to Batsu's lyrics made me sick but I always seem to sing along to "show, lie, mad, sexual". XD For suggestions, I'd strongly recommend KISOU because it's an album that has some really defining sounds for DEG. There's a lot of powerful stuff there too, in terms of music and lyrics. And I'd suggest VULGAR too for the same reasons, and it has a special spot in my heart. I think you'd get to further listen to their transition from the sound of Gauze towards the recent sound. Anyway, great job on the video. Thanks for everything, man. You're amazing!

I've always been amazed that an album with a song as amazing and powerful as Mazohyst of Decadence on it is still hard to pick an actual favorite track from. It's just such a well rounded album.

It's always interesting to listen to how DEG progressed through the years. Gauze is definitely different from their other albums and had some very catchy riffs and vocals. My initiation into DEG was not Obscure like many others, but actually Yokan. I found that the chorus of that song to be one of the catchiest choruses and decided to check out the rest of their stuff and I've been a fan since. When I first heard about them they had just released Withering to Death in 2005 (another album you should react to) and so far I've loved every single one of their albums. I've already preordered their newest one that's coming out in September. I'm interested in hearing the style of The Insulated World because their most recent singles are so different. Anyway, keep up the good work. I always enjoy listening to your opinions of different bands.

Definitely this is my favorite album from Dir en Grey. When the music as a whole (and solos) were very melodic (guitar and bass solos) with a very direct meaning, and each song with different style and color. I'm a big fan of oldschool J-Rock style. I'm glad you are "reacting" to japanese music (specially the 90s) which I find it super interesting.

Glad you've finally got your hands on this gem and we've had the pleasure to listen to it with you. It's so nice to find the band's side you're not really used to, isn't it? Suprisingly no one mentioned you bringing up this Kyo's "voice effect" with it being his actual singing voice that he used till 2009 or something when his first voice issues took place. If you listen closely and compare Gauze and the following albums to Dum Spiro Spero and Arche, you'd know what I mean. A lil' bit about the songs: the sound really differs from other albums, even Macabre starts to have heavier and darker motives and partly it's because of vk influence (you'd understand as you've listened to a fair amount of vk bands of all periods). Really straightforward lyrics that I kinda miss today, quite sad, dark and depressed - not the thing you find in every other band. Matching with that, really emotional Kyo (how could he not get into a deep depression after every gig is the question). Quite a range of themes and, as you've mentioned, an interesting order of songs. All in all, very nice and refreshing for a DEG listener. Although I recommended Mazohyst, it was so hard to listen it to the end. Like, at the start you think "nice song, why I don't listen to it often" and in the middle it's "oh, I remembered why". All drained of emotions and pressed with grief. Anyway, thanks for the reaction! As with the next album, like others said, it seems pretty logical to pick Macabre. Really... odd album with a bunch of experimental stuff. The one that got them popularity huge enough to go to abroad tours with the release of Kisou. Hope you'll find your next interaction with DEG entertaining!

Oh man, raison detre's bass line is why I fell in love with this band

Yessss! One of my favorite diru albums!! Im glad you dug this man! Great to listen to your commentary as always!

YEEEEEYYYYYY!!!!! All hail Baldman and Dir en grey :D

Listen to MACABRE next!!!

Trivia : Yoshiki from X Japan produced half of the songs on this album.

Been waiting for this a while now,, one of my absolute favorites. Also Uroboros.

Glad you really liked this album and 304 in particular, I was preparing a cover for it myself as well 😂!

I have a request Baldman, since you were talking about ballads as such, please listen to dir en grey’s HIGEKI HA MABUTA WO OROSHITA YASASHIKI UTSU. It’s damn beautiful and criminally underrated I think

thanks for the react man ;)

Love watching your Diru reactions and watching you come so far from your initial Different Sense reaction to loving early Dir en grey is just awesome! One quick thing, the album came out in 1999, it was reissued in 2001. Oh, and the album I am voting for is KAI obviously! Okay, no, no, not KAI, since you just listened to Gazue I think it would be interesting to see your reaction to their very next album chronologically, Macabre.

Love the album 💖 thanks for react 👍

Uroboros (remastered and expanded) next maybe? One of their best albums if its not the best

Omg you did this whole album 😍

I love so much this album that it hurts 💜

Very nice album reaction!How about a reaction video to the new Lynch album "XIII"? I heard it already and I think u might like it. Or maybe a Girugamesh album reaction. You only react to one of their song I think but no others or one of their albums.

Great reactions as aways! My vote is for my dear love, Uroboros (remastered)!

Absolutely brilliant album.

I've listened to this album for so many years, and as much as I love both tracks, I too still don't understand why they put Mazohyzt of Decadence and Yokan next to each other. But maybe that's what makes Gauze amazing.

amazing video!

such a great video u did and so well said :3

I vote for either Vulgar or Withering to death. these two albums are basically their transition into more of the numetal/prog stuff they do now, where they ventured out into a heavier sound albeit very accessible. Withering to death was also their gateway to the Western music scene since they actually managed to get onto MTV's Headbanger's Ball and got them to tour with Korn. Basically most of their crowd hype chorus songs are from these two imo.

I think after this video I need to buy some albums of this group! Thnx! And can you make video of last album from Wagakki Band - Otonoe?

You gotta do uroboros

gauze ...oh maaan ....such an album ... WOW ! ..For me there was something almost near perfect about this album, it lifts you up when it needs to, it brings you down when it needs to, it makes you happy, sad and uncomfortable all at once and it’s a standard that a lot of ppl should aspire to.

This is one of the albums l had to break my bank for! I got it from a Japanese ebay seller for 100 dollars l think. Totally worth it because it was limited edition and perfect condition. Used japanese items are almost always close to mint condition. It's a unique with underside of the disk being red to match the red clear sleeve. It's a rare gem for those who want all hard copies of their albums! Any who love your Dir en grey reviews enlightening to say the least. Also preordered their new album 'The Insulated World.' Have set your eyes on getting a copy Baldman?

もう２０年前か　今のdirと比べると音が軽いね　当時は重く感じてたけど。

Just for Cage's bass line and solo it worths to listen to the whole album :D Too bad that as part of their 20 anniversary they didnt rerelease this and other of their oldest CDs. Besides their "mode of..." tour if would have been nice if they had done like Mucc and release some special editions of their first released Remastered or "Redone".

As for the next DEG album, I'll be the black sheep and say "Macabre". It's arguably their most overlooked and my personal favorite. It's their second album so it has a lot of early VK elements to it yet the proggy elements have increased greatly.

An interesting fact: Die, the rhythm guitarist wrote the music for Yokan, thats why there is a solo by him. But, like always, Kyo wrote the lyrics. What i noticed about the lyrics, is that is about how a man that uses a woman for sex and that he doesnt love her obviously. I think Kyo was describing Die, cause he is know to sleep around with women.

You should go for Uroboros or Withering to death... kinda transition albums.

It will be great if you do kimon first, then you can take of vulgar, macabre, withering to death, marrow of a bone & uroboros (my favorite cd by the way 😁)

Vulgar is the number one, dir en grey is best band, my respects to all japanese rock, greetings from chile 🇨🇱👍🏻

My memory!! ━━━━(ﾟ∀ﾟ)━━━━!!

haha, you are right. so many vk songs use music boxes.

I was lucky enough to stand before Dir En Grey, in June at Lunatic Fest. in Japan. I can't even explain the emotions I felt while watching them. I ALWAYS cry... EVERY TIME... when I listen to the song The Final.... and I cried like a fucking baby at the show.. but I wasn't the only one. If you haven't heard the song yet, I suggest you look at every version, every video you can find. The Final is what I think DEG's signature song. Check out this video, and you can see how the fans react to this song. ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-cdB7mFYLICc.html As always, I love your reacts, you're correct about your subscribers, and DEG fans in general. Thank you!

I have all of their CD's and discographies even the remix Kai; you really get to hear each members individual style on their interpretations of the songs. You think the lyrics are intense you should see the m/v! Just like I like my metal uncomfortable. Hard to believe this was released in early 1999. The oldest members Kaoru and Die were just 25, Kyo and Toshiya were 24 and Shinya had just turned 21 years old. They were babies! Of course they had room to grow and evolve.

please check PassCode live ver. you can chose "bite the bullet" or "miss unlimited" MV ver. good too.. but i know you love anything from live ver. so please react to PassCode.. THANKS!

Good good !!!!

I think why they put mazohyst of decadence before yokan Is because of what's yokan is about and it fits

Listen to LUNA SEA - LUNACY or any of their ofher albums.

If I'm right the (female vocal) was Kyo but take what I say with a grain of salt

MASK　47:52

I miss the early sound of Dir en grey...

Such a fantastic album. Not sure if this has been linked to you before, but you gotta check the list with the guitarists' influences: rateyourmusic.com/list/vinidamazio/dir-en-grey-guitar-roots-album/

Gauze is my favorite album of Dir en Grey. I didn't like where they went after that.

Gauze is a great album, it has some of Dir en grey's best songwriting and compositions without a doubt. Still I can't shake my mixed feelings about it. Kyo's vocals could be so much better and the parts where he's talking or laughing only bring the songs down. Some of of the tracks got to live up to their full potential during live performances at Blitz 5 Days and Psychoconnect, but not the whole band seemed to be into it during those shows.

React to La:Sadie's

Review Vulgar, in my opinion is one their best albums

Also, you might like Byou Shin by Dir en grey. ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-XE9y3UpYlhA.html

I'm usually wary when someone is reacting to pre-Uroboros Dir en grey stuff because those are like their "phase" era before they decided to be the full-fledged juggernaut of a metal band that most people like them for today. But man, I'm glad you keep an open mind and even seemed to enjoy it a lot!

Thank you for doing this. Im so happy you like it ^^ i got all their albums (including Missa) so maybe you should try and go from here to their second album, its also mentioned by others so i agree with them..also cant wait for the new album in September and ill see them in October finally again !!