DIR EN GREY
Belasco Los Angeles – April 9, 2025
Live Report by Molly Coggshall
Photos courtesy of DIR EN GREY
DIR EN GREY had already taken over The Belasco once with their edgy music and dark lyrics, and they returned again the following night on Wednesday, April 9. For two shows in the middle of a weekday in downtown Los Angeles, the sea of fans that were waiting in line to hear the Japanese metal band DIR EN GREY play for a second time was a sight to witness. The show was once again sold out, and the line seemed to stretch even further than the previous evening as fans eagerly awaited to enter the venue.
The night began with crimson lights casting over DIR EN GREY as the tour headline sprawled across the video screen, TOUR25 WHO IS THIS HELL FOR? [mode of Withering to death.]. The audience surged forward, attempting to get closer to the musicians as they emerged on the stage. The set list would be switching up for the night, as it would mix together songs from the last show, but this time it would include some of DIR EN GREY’s most popular tracks from their 2005 album Withering to death.
DIR EN GREY began with “Ningen wo Kaburu” and “The Devil In Me” similar to the previous night, but it appeared that both the band and the audience had become more invigorated, fueled with renewed energy. Kyo danced around the stage with choppy movements during “Ningen wo Kaburu”, looking as if he was possessed by some dark entity that he was channeling for the evening.
The music video for “The Devil In Me” played while the band performed the song and the audience rocked out to the aggressive mood of the song, the heavy music fitting perfectly with the disturbing images of the “killer clown” being shown above.
Blue spotlights flashed across the stage and the crowd came to a roar as the first song from the 2005 album Withering to death. took over. “Spilled Milk” was met with screams of excitement as images of crazed eyes played over the display screen. Toshiya moved towards the crowd, beckoning them with his hand and the audience’s cheers came to a peak. DIR EN GREY had changed their ensemble from the previous evening, though they wore a similar style. Toshiya sported a long blue jacket instead of his signature red one and Die, jumping excitedly around on stage to the music, was clad entirely in form fitting black leather.
The soft strum of Die and Kaoru’s guitars filled the air, and “13” from PHALARIS made a re-appearance in the set list. Vocalist Kyo became thoroughly absorbed in the song, grabbing at his hair and hitting his head and at one point, his face distorted as if he was crying. He wore his hakama-style pants from the preceding show, but he had changed his top to a white shirt underneath a sharp looking vest.
“Phenomenon” was a slight change in the set list, replacing “Magayasou” from the previous evening. The song highlighted Kyo’s versatile vocals, going from a high pitched singing to a deep guttural growling. Karou headbanged lightly to the music and his military-looking cape from the previous night was lost, but replaced with a long black jacket of similar style and intricate design.
The aggressive tone of “The Perfume of Sins” followed behind, and Toshiya and Die jumped around on the stage. Die flipped his hair back and gave a sultry look to the audience and they screamed in response. Shinya, though often hidden behind his drum set, was still clearly clad in attire similar to his princely look from last night’s show. He showed off his vigorous and impressive drumming during the course of the song, surrounded by white spot lights flashing all around him.
A favorite of the crowd, “Oboro” was met with renewed cheers from the audience. A red glow took over the stage and images akin to blood flowing through veins flooded the video screen. The crowd took over the chorus with Kyo as he screamed and cried ardently, a performance rivaling his previous one from the night before.
“VINUSHKA” brought out an incredible performance from the band. The bombs from the music video fell all around the metal band from the screen playing above, and Die and Toshiya held up their guitars in a sort of salute to the devastation of the weapons. Kyo finished the song by holding his hands in the air towards the falling bombs, singing in high pitched notes.
A blood red sun appeared on the video screen and the familiar intro to “THE FINAL” began to play. The audience screamed their excitement at hearing arguably the most popular song from the Withering to death. album. An eclipse took over the sun on the screen and the audience sang along to the chorus, a powerful moment that brought tears to the eyes of the fans.
Two more songs from Withering to death. followed next, to the excitement of the crowd and a testament to the headlining title [mode of Withering to death.]. “Merciless Cult” saw all of the band members headbanging together and some audience members started a small mosh pit in the middle of the floor. As the song ended, the music video for “saku” followed quickly behind, almost blending the two songs together, and the crowd went wild. The video is certainly one of the most intense and unnerving from the Withering to death. era, and portrays a teenage boy that murders his parents and is left living in their shared apartment with their rotting corpses.
The main setlist ended the same as the previous evening with “Ochita Koto no Aru Sora”, and “Eddie”. Both songs didn’t fail to rile up the audience and the crowd jumped and fist pumped to the music. Kaoru, Die and Toshiya switched places multiple times on stage so the audience was able to better engage with each guitarist, the resounding screams from the fans testimony to their delight.
At the end of “Eddie”, Kyo finished with an eerie high pitched singing before dropping the mic on the stage and walking off, screams and applause following him. Shinya finished the song with an intense and noteworthy drum solo before the remaining band members walked off stage, Die and Toshiya holding up their guitars to the audience members as they exited.
Chants of “DIR EN GREY” echoed throughout the concert hall once again, attempting to summon the band for the encore. After a few minutes, the dark aura of the heavy metal band swaggered back onto the stage and dropped into two more songs from Withering to death., “C” and “Kodou”, which triggered fans to unleash a series of cheers and cries. The guitar riffs of “C” saw all of the guitarists standing in the front closest to the stage, giving the audience a good view of their fantastic wardrobe and superb musical skills. “Kodou” caused a stir in the audience and they sang along to the somber lyrics when Kyo prompted the crowd.
“Uroko” was heard once again in the set list and gave Shinya the spotlight with a short drum solo. Kyo stood up for the second time in two days on the small platform at the front of the stage and gave his “One more song!” shout while holding up his finger to the crowd. The fans roared in response.
The show closed with a powerful performance of “Utafumi” featuring the band bounding around the stage brimming with energy, putting on an impressive display of musical prowess. The music faded and the lights in the dark venue returned, and each band member took a moment to clap, bow or toss out gifts such as guitar pics or drum sticks to the fans before bidding a goodbye to Los Angeles.
DIR EN GREY has evolved and transformed throughout a 28 year career, their music shifting between a variety of rock and metal genres over the period. Their experimental sound, avant-garde lyrics, and visually stunning live performances has garnered fans from around the world. April 8 and 9 at The Belasco in Los Angeles was no different, as fans of the band came from all over the United States to see DIR EN GREY play two exclusive concerts. It is unknown as to when the next time DIR EN GREY will come back to the US to perform, but when they do, it is certain that they will be met with great enthusiasm.
Set list:
1. Ningen wo Kaburu
2. The Devil In Me
3. Spilled Milk
4. 13
5. Phenomenon
6. The Perfume of Sins
7. Oboro
8. VINUSHKA
9. THE FINAL
10. Merciless Cult
11. saku
12. Ochita Koto no Aru Sora
13. Eddie
Encore:
G.D.S (intro)
1. C
2. Kodou
3. Uroko
4. Utafumi
DIR EN GREY official site: https://direngrey.co.jp/lang_en/
