Withering
This was the first CD I was ever exposed to by this wonderful band. I ignored it at first, then something struck me to listen to it. I did and suddenly fell in love. I started to go backwards to their earlier albums (Vulgar, Kisou, sixUgly, etc.) to find how this sound developed. Sure the guitaring had lacked finesse, but it was solid. The vocals and the drumming became more complex. Shinya has always had amazing drumlines, but for instance -saku-, he blows my fricken mind with his talent. Kyo ranges so well from falsettos, to growls, to high pitched shrieks, to just his amazing Kyo vocals. Jesus Christ R'n'R proves his ability. The whole CD just pulses with their creativity and it is moving. From hard hitting songs like -saku- and Merciless Cult, to more meaningful Higeki wa and Kodou and dead tree. This is probably their best work yet. I believed some people said it was their downfall, and GAUZE was their best work (come on with Yoshiki? He is amazing and all but damn he has gone down. He worked with Paris Hilton FOR GODS SAKE) but Withering to death is Dir en grey's creative upbringing and there definition of their style. This is their most solid albums in their history. Period.