In April of 2025, after nearly six years away, DIR EN GREY made a powerful return to the U.S. with a sold-out, three-night run in Los Angeles and Anaheim, California. Drawing a combined crowd of approximately 6,000 fans across April 8, 9, and 11, the performances reaffirmed the band’s enduring legacy and the fierce devotion of their North American audience.

The tour, titled “TOUR25 WHO IS THIS HELL FOR?”, featured two distinct setlists: “[mode of VULGAR]” and “[mode of Withering to death.]”. Both spotlighted the band’s latest work, as well as selections from those two landmark albums.

Following DIR EN GREY’s first show at The Belasco in Los Angeles, JROCK NEWS sat down with guitarist Die. Warm, thoughtful, and refreshingly down-to-earth, he offered candid insight into the band, speaking with the ease of an old friend. We discussed the band’s long-awaited return to the U.S., reflections on their 25-year journey, and what the future may hold. And for fans eager for more, the wait might not be long; new music could be on the way sooner than you think.

Die, guitarist of DIR EN GREYNori (JROCK NEWS)

“That is my personal motivation: to keep going, move the fans emotionally, and impress them. That is what gives me hope.”
—Die

Thanks for taking the time to chat with JROCK NEWS. We were at “WHO IS THIS HELL FOR? [mode of VULGAR]” last night, and the audience reaction seemed intense! How did you feel about last night’s concert?

Die: The last time we were in the U.S. was in 2019, and after that, the world was hit with the COVID-19 pandemic. It was a situation where even as musicians, it wasn’t just a matter of being able to tour abroad again, but we also wondered if we could even keep making music, or if we could ever go back out again. So just being able to come back again in 2025, and to meet all of the fans is something we are very happy about.

Like you said, some time has passed since the last time you were in America, and DIR EN GREY has released new material since then. Last night, you played some songs live in the U.S. for the first time, like tracks from “PHALARIS” and “The Devil in Me”. How did the audience react to those new songs, and did anything surprise you?

[Laughs] To be honest, there was certainly a difference in the fans’ reaction and how heated everyone became when we were playing the newer songs versus songs off of “VULGAR”. That was very apparent to me from how loud people were screaming.

Yeah, I noticed the crowd not only screamed a lot for older songs but also sang along a lot! What felt different preparing for this tour compared to the last time you played the U.S., with the “This Way to Self Destruction” tour, and since the COVID-19 pandemic?

Before this tour, we also went overseas for the Europe tour. Since we made a lot of preparations to go overseas again for that, we didn’t change much in preparation for this tour.

I noticed this time, the stage production had evolved since the last tour in America. With the large video screen and elaborate lighting, it was really on point and felt a lot like the shows you play in Japan. Was that something you especially prepared for and tried to bring over?

Yeah! It has always been our aim to bring over the same level of production to the fans abroad. This year, we even brought over our full Japanese crew, lighting staff included, who had been working with us for years to make our shows and performances. We wanted to give the fans a show on the same level as we do in Japan.

Kyo, vocalist of DIR EN GREY, before an elaborate lighting and stage set up at The Belasco.Zephyr (JROCK NEWS)

You’ve toured the U.S. many times over the years. How has touring overseas changed for DIR EN GREY since those early days, such as the “Family Values” tour—what’s gotten easier, or more difficult?

[Laughs] I guess the biggest difference is that back then, compared to that first long overseas tour with “Family Values”, we didn’t have smartphones or bring personal computers with us. We weren’t able to call home or get in touch with folks back in Japan when we were abroad. Now, even when we’re on tour, we can still keep in touch, no matter where we are in the world. So, I don’t feel especially lonely or homesick these days.

Knowing what you know now, if you could go back in time and give your younger self advice at that time, what would you say?

[Laughs] … Nothing in particular, really. Just to live one day at a time, and to just be yourself. “Just be as you are”.

This tour revisits songs from “VULGAR” and “Withering to death.”. Since those albums were mostly written for 6-string guitars, what’s it like revisiting those older styles now that you’ve been using 7-strings for so long? Do you ever see yourselves writing a new album with 6-strings again?

I still use a 7-string guitar as my main equipment, but for the older songs, I switch back to a 6-string guitar, and it’s no problem. As for new songs, I don’t know… We’ve been composing [in lower tunings] on 7-string guitars recently, so it may be a bit of a turn-off to switch back suddenly to standard tuning on a traditional 6-string. But of course, nothing is set in stone. If we decided to change our image on a whim and revisit an older style of tuning, it could be possible.

Kaoru, guitarist of DIR EN GREYNori (JROCK NEWS)

You’ve been rerecording older songs over time, like revisiting songs from the “GAUZE” era on the single “19990120”. If you could remake “VULGAR” or “Withering to death.” from the ground up today, what would you want to change or approach differently?

“VULGAR” and “Withering to death.” were both released over 20 years ago, so naturally, the recording technology has advanced since then. The material would sound completely different, even if the five of us played or recorded those songs today as they were originally composed. I personally think it would be better if we didn’t make many changes to the arrangement.

This tour showcases both new releases and older albums, so I’d love to ask about some of the older songs and how they connect to your new material.

Last night, I noticed that you played “KASUMI” and “Oboro” in the same set. We noticed some striking parallels between “KASUMI” and “Oboro”, in their tone, lyrics, and even rhythm, both are written in a 6-beat waltz. Were you consciously revisiting “KASUMI” when writing “Oboro”, or did that connection emerge naturally?

Oh! Now that you mention it, the atmosphere is similar. However, we didn’t write “Oboro” with “KASUMI” in mind. Since “KASUMI” is an old song, we didn’t think of that or intentionally connect them. Probably, when we were writing “Oboro” the connection emerged naturally. Since we’re the same members writing a new song, that’s probably why you hear similarities between them.

Yes, that makes sense. We also noticed lyrical connections in the songs “VINUSHKA” and “13”. Both songs reference the 13 steps of a hanging gallows, but with different perspectives—and they were even played back-to-back in last night’s setlist. Were those songs also put together for a reason?

Oh, I see! We didn’t plan that or anything; rather, we were following the flow of the shows as we usually play in Japan. For example, “This song should go here to up the ante”, etc. So that is more of how we picked the setlist for the night.

Are there any songs that you’re especially excited to perform live on this tour? Which ones do you hope overseas fans really pay attention to, and why?

[Laughs] I welcome people to watch whatever we perform and have their own reaction. I’d like them to feel it the way they would like to.

Toshiya, bassist of DIR EN GREYNori (JROCK NEWS)

Around the New Year, there were some informal hints on social media that a new album might be in the works. Also, DIR EN GREY has steadily released albums in spans of about 4 years. Since “PHALARIS” was released in 2022, what can we expect in 2026? For how long have you been nurturing material for the album?

[Laughs] I can’t divulge any details, but in 2024 into 2025, we have been working on new material. We’re still in the middle of it, but we’ve recorded what we can.

[Laughs] Sorry to ask, I know you can’t share any finer details now, but… Each DIR EN GREY album has a strong worldview—are there any themes or keywords you can share about the direction of the next release?

Super poppy songs and an upbeat world view… … … those won’t be on the album. [Laughs]! It will not be happy.

Oh, thank goodness [laughs]! DIR EN GREY has been going strong for over 25 years. What does “success” mean to you now? What are your goals for the band and yourself moving forward?

What would it be…? Throughout the years, the members’ feelings have not always been positive, and we sometimes have had doubts. That’s natural when you work together for so long. But even then, we always had support we could rely on, like our staff, and people who wanted to hear our music, who exist all over the world. What I look to most is the fans who support us and listen to our music, and it’s as if I’ve been living my life with them. Even if I decided one day, “I don’t want to do this anymore”, there’s no way I could quit this band. In a big way, I feel like I’m on a ship called “DIR EN GREY”, and that ship has to keep sailing no matter what, with all the crew included. I can’t get off now.

Through all the darkness in your music, I often feel that there’s a small thread of hope or catharsis that it gives the audience. Personally, what gives you hope today in such a chaotic world?

More than half of my life has been devoted to DIR EN GREY. I’ve lived it so long, so doing tours, seeing fans, that’s where I feel alive. The fans being there for us gives me hope and passion, so for their sake, I want to keep going for them. That is my personal motivation: to keep going, move the fans emotionally, and impress them. That is what gives me hope.

Thanks so much for your kind words. Lastly, would you please leave a message for your fans around the world?

It’s been a long journey for us. 2027 marks our 30th anniversary as a band. This year we played in Los Angeles and Anaheim, but we’d like to return to places like New York, too, like we did before. We’d like to return to where the fans are waiting for us. As you know, we’re working on a new album. Hopefully, in our 30th year, we can bring even more new music for you. So please keep an eye on DIR EN GREY for any new developments.

Die, guitarist of DIR EN GREYNori (JROCK NEWS)

We truly appreciate Die for taking the time to speak with us, especially amid the whirlwind of an overseas tour. We hope you enjoyed reading this interview as much as we enjoyed bringing it to you, and we invite you to stay tuned as DIR EN GREY continues to carve new paths in their legendary career.

Craving more DIR EN GREY? Don’t miss our 2024 interview with guitarist Kaoru during the band’s European tour. Also, be sure to check back soon for our full coverage of the April 8 and 9 performances at The Belasco in Los Angeles!