Though still unknown in the west at the time its release, Japanese alt metal legends Dir En Grey had already cultivated an eclectic and unique style on their debut album – Gauze.
A part of the visual kei scene, known for its over-the-top costumes and theatrics, Dir En Grey formed the remnants of the member’s earlier band, La:Sadie’s. Where that band had a fairly upbeat j-rock sound, Diru would experiment with heavier and weirder styles on Gauze. The genre whiplash is on display right out of the gate. After a brief intro, the band hits us with aggressive, punk-laden extremity on “Schwein no Isu,” only to abruptly transition into “Yurameki,” a soaring j-rock anthem that wouldn’t sound out of place in an early 2000s anime intro. Elsewhere, “Mazohyst of Decadence” and “Akuro no Oka” see Diru blending gothic rock with avant-prog. These prog influences would later be expanded upon on their sophomore album, Macabre. Then there’s “Mask,” which I can only describe as the soundtrack of some kind of demented, undead ball.
Vocalist Kyo is really the secret weapon that makes all these wildly distinct styles work. Even at such a young age, he displays more range and sophistication than most rock singers decades into their career. Yoshiki, the front man of foundational visual kei act X Japan, co-produced and co-wrote several songs for Gauze, while also serving as an early mentor to the band. If the album I’m describing sounds a bit scatterbrained, that’s because it is. Gauze is all over the place, the sound of a band throwing every idea at the wall and seeing what sticks. Yet, there’s also nothing else that really sounds like it. Even in the Dir En Grey discography, nothing quite replicates the style they had here. I think that’s what makes it still stand strong as a classic and fan favorite to this day.
If you’re only familiar with the band’s output after they broke out in the west in the mid 00s, give Gauze a listen. Whether you’re into metal, punk, j-rock, prog or goth rock, you’ll definitely find something to admire here.
