Review by GazeRuki

Uroboros is a fantastic album. Just about everything was perfect to me: the artwork, packaging, music, and content. The 2CD, DVD, 2 LP version was quite the price, but it came with all of the above. To start off, the package is HUGE! It's the width and length of an LP. The slipcase is a nice leather type box with the album title written in silver glimmering letters. Inside there is a case for the LPs, and a case for the CDs and DVD. The LP case is a double gatefold case, while the CD DVD case is a tri-fold. Instead of a booklet, a hardcover book is included. It contains both english and Japanese lyrics, and incredible artwork. A bonus sticker of the cover is also included with the package. The CD itself is great. Dir en Grey really outdid themselves on this one. The album is a mixture of their old and new self, ranging from hard-hitting, heart-wrenching songs full of despair to songs that are easy on the ears and put one in a trance. The bonus CD contains 4 unplugged tracks from the album: Ware Yami tote, Iconvenient Ideal, Red Soil, Dozing Green (Technically the draft version). My favorite is Red Soil; it sounds completely different than the original and VERY interesting. The DVD was the weakest link to me in this package. It shows scenes from the recording of Uroboros and interviews with the band members, and also some live performances of just the band. The footage was actually kind of boring, seeing as I can't speak Japanese very well. The performances were cool to watch though. All in all, Uroboros was fanTAStic. Music was amazing, packaging was of high quality, and it was full of content. 5/5

Different Sense is GREAT. The music, artwork, packaging, and content was VERY satisfying. The packaging is that of the past 2 singles with the slipcase and double gatefold mini-LP style cardboard case + sticker. I thought the CD was fanTAStic. Different Sense reminds me of Kodou in that there are many different elements in just one song. There's moments of hard rockin out, melancholy ease, emotional sadness, etc. Kyo's vocals range drastically through out the song. One moment he'll be screeching like dying cat, then growling like I don't know what, to singing a beautiful and powerful melody. Even with a lot of things going on the song is cohesive and sounds great. Tsumi to Kisei seems to be quite disliked. I rather enjoyed it very much. It was MUCH different than the original, but elements were definitely noticeable. It was very slow and dense. The atmosphere it generated was quite thick and weighed down. I give this songs props just for being able to generate an atmosphere. While not my favorite song, it is unique and interesting to listen to (though not on repeat because it's SOOOOO slow and dense). Red Soil is (honestly) nothing special. Seen them play it live? Then you already know what it sounds like. The DVD was honestly boring to me. It's another making of footage. There IS like 10 or so seconds of footage of the recording of Dum Spiro Spero so that was kinda cool. Overall I would rate this item 5/5. This single gets me REAAALLY excited for the album!

This is Girugamesh at their best! This album has an angst that the first one was missing. It's hard and edgy with some soft to balance things out. The packaging is a standard double disc case with a bookelt and OBI. The artwork, however, is top notch. The CD is pleasantly pleasing with its shining gold background with Satochi raising a fist in the air. The booklet is full of pictures from their Euro tour so a lot of fun to look through. The CD is aMAzing! Mucc even makes a guest appearance on the album ! This album has a nice balance of hard songs and soft songs that there's something for everyone. Giru have really solidified their sound since 13's Reborn so everything sounds polished. The DVD contains PVs for Vermillion and Kowarete iku Sekai. (apparently there's a hidden extra too ?.?) Overall I would give this album a 4/5 for it's great music and artwork, but lack of creativity in packaging.

This single is great! Like the name implies, there is a LOT of intensity in this song. To be honest though, the song had to grow on me. I was expecting a slow song so I really had to change my mind set to understand what the band meant with this single. And slow is definitey not it. Hageshisa to kono mune no naka de karamitsuita shakunetsu no yami really delivers. It's fast and powerful and relentless. The lenght is just right, not long enought to drag on and not too short to want more. Kyo's vocals have yet again (somehow) gained a higher range and new sounds. I really like what Dir en Grey are doing with re-recording old tracks. The re-recorded version of Zan is fantastic. It sounds like the original version pretty much except that it retains Dir en Grey's newer style. It's very brutal. Shokubeni was, I felt, not needed. They already released a live version on their -Saku- single and they really haven't changed much with this new version. It's cleaner I suppose and is played more with their new style, but a different B-Side would have been more memorable. The DVD was a little bit of a let down. It just showed scenes from recording the song, the actual recording of the one-take shokubeni, and clips of their recording with Hageshisa...playing. The recording part was cool, but the last 2 videos just seemed like fillers to make the package seem complete. I guess, I was hoping for the PV to be able to be fully immersed with the single. The packaging, however, is awesome. It comes in a dual-sided digipack case with a slipcase, the discs are protected by soft sleeves, and there's a sticker included. Although the DVD was a bit lacking, the music was exceptional and the packaging was great so therefore 5/5.

The album itself is not too bad. After giving several listens I can safely say that I enjoy what the album has to offer. A few gems that shine out are: - kasumi ni kieru hana - Gimmick - Doukoku The regular version has a bonus track, DRESS -UNPLUGGED-, and I must say I did not enjoy it. It was long, yes, but VERY repetitive. The song is basically the main chorus accompanied by piano for around 7 mintues. Its uninteresting and uninnovative. Some people seem to enjoy it, being able to hear Mao's voice (which i actually quite beautiful in this arrangement) accompanied by Aki's piano playing. I guess it's just not my cup of tea. Overall, the album is pretty average. I would give this album a 2.5, but seing as I can't do that I will round up and give it a 3/5.

The album itself is not too bad. After giving several listens I can safely say that I enjoy what the album has to offer. A few gems that shine out are: - kasumi ni kieru hana - Gimmick - Doukoku The DVD was a nice extra for the limited edition. The concert footage was pretty good quality and it was great to see Sadie play some of their old music live (especially Meisai) since it's difficult to see live footage of them, let alone see them live. The packaging of the album was a disappointment. It came in a standard 2 disc jewel case and an OBI. MASTER OF ROMANCE came with a slipcase and a nice white-themed casing instead of the standard jewel case. The artwork in the booklet was uninspiring and repetitive. They just used the same design on pretty much every page with the size being different and/or it being inverted. MASTER OF ROMANCE at least had different images for each page. The upside in the booklet is that each band member gets their own page so that it's more interesting to view the booklet. However, I would take MASTER OF ROMANCE's simple and clean booklet with variety and 1 group photo than COLD BLOOD's recycled booklet. The discs even just copy and paste the picture on back and inside of the case. The entire package feels lacking since MASTER OF ROMANCE included a slip case, effortful artwork, and since they were the same price. The music wasn't as great and the packaging was average. For those 2 reasons I give COLD BLOOD 3/5.

I've rated the Limited Edition higher because of the extra content and great packaging. The packaging was the same as the Hageshi.....single (minus OBI). It had a slipcase and then a mini vinyl-like case that housed the CD and DVD. This version also came with a sticker :D The CD is the same (of course) but the DVD was a real treat for me. Quality-wise it was great, looks just like one of their DVD concerts. It was great to see them play a song from Kisou, and a pretty solid performance at that. Zan and Lie buried with a vengeance were also great performances. Overall, 8/10. Great CD, Sweet DVD, and awesome packaging. Can't wait for their new album!

I don't really know how I feel about this single yet. I feel like it could have been much better. The song Lotus is actually pretty great. It emits a very mysterious atmosphere and is interesting to listen to. The guitar, bass, and drum work is amazing. However, I feel that the vocals were the weakest. For one, the dual layering of vocals was done so that both voices were the same volume, making for (at least for me) some annoying moments in the song. Overall, Lotus is a great song and really shows how much the band has matured since Missa. Obscure was a major let down for me. It felt super rushed, in a sense that it felt like they just played it to get off stage or something, the chorus was less melodic than the original, and the song was not very structured. I feel like I'll have to really listen this version a lot for it to grow on me. Reiketsu Nariseba is really nothing special, just a live recording that can be listened to on their recent live DVDs. A different B-side might have been better. Overall, I'd give the single 6/10. Lotus was great, Obscure wasn't, and Reiketsu Nariseba, can't complain with.

Here is the current tracklist from the band's website: CD 1. LOTUS 2. OBSCURE 3. Reiketsu Nariseba *Live take at SHINKIBA STUDIO COAST on July 20, 2010 DVD THE UNWAVERING FACT OF TOMORROW TOUR2010 2010.07.21 SHINKIBA STUDIO COAST 1. Zan 2. LIE BURIED WITH A VENGEANCE 3. Gyakujoutannou Keloidmilk

Here is the current tracklist from the band's website: 1. LOTUS 2. OBSCURE 3. Reiketsu Nariseba *Live take at SHINKIBA STUDIO COAST on July 20, 2010

Monsters is a sweet album and old fans might find it appealing. While still retaining their recent style, they incorporate some style from their old music. For example, the little bells in 'Devil's Parade' are recognizable in their Coll:Set album. Also, a bit more contrasting from 'Redeemer,' this album is a bit more dark. So far my favorite songs are Human-clad monster, 13, Devil's Parade, dope, and Abyss. Abyss seems to be one of the least popular songs in the album, but I think differently. Hizumi's vocals are amazing and I can really feel the emotion in this song. The music itself is pretty good but it's really Hizumi's vocals on this track that did it for me. The actual item was okay. I feel like it was a step back from their packaging for past albums. Redeemer had many extras such as the DVD, SHM-CD, and a photo card. Mirror came in a digi-pak case and Coll:Set came with a super sweeet slipcase and photo booklet seperate from the lyrics booklet (although, this limited edition didn't have garnet and the other song on it) Monster's just had the DVD so it didn't feel as special. I also wish that CDJapan would be a bit more specific. A lot of times they never state what First Press bonuses if there are any, like for this release. Overall, satisfied with this product, just sad that they are on haitus (hence the title). D'espairsRay forever!