Japanese rockers, Dir en grey, landed in the US just this year to sold-out shows at SXSW, New York’s Avalon Club, and LA’s Wiltern Theater. It hasn’t taken long for the buzz to travel worldwide about this talented and outrageous group of stylized musicians. In support of their November 15 single release, “Agitated Screams of Maggots,” the band was sandwiched in-between the metal muscle of the Family Values Tour and took the crowd’s breath away with their music, their stylized instruments, and brutal stage performance. Lead vocalist, Kyo was hospitalized this summer for inflamed vocal cords but from a sonic perspective, one couldn’t notice any outward damage. However, Kyo’s stage antics were frightening as he raked his chest with his fingernails and inserted the same weapons into his mouth, which resulted in a blood bath. Shock-Rock is alive and well thanks to the Godfather of Shock, Alice Cooper! However, by the look in Kyo’s eyes, we wonder if there isn’t more going on behind his self-mutilation.
Linear Mode
