Dir En Grey: the revolution starts here

Who'd have thought that the revolution would start with a former visual kei act? Japanese metal band Dir En Grey (who, lest we forget, used to have a rather more effete image) have released an intriguing statement on their official Facebook page. In 'An Open Letter From Dir En Grey', the group addresses the current situation in Japan, including widespread concerns about radiation levels and doubts about reassurances issued by the government.

No doubt these are worries shared by many people living here, but Dir En Grey choose to take things even further. 'We can no longer tell whether we are a democratic nation,' they write, before adding ominously, 'Unless you are careful with your words, you will be taken down with significant force.'

These are the concerns that will apparently be addressed in new album Dum Spiro Spero, which hits stores in Japan (somewhat conveniently) on August 3. The title of the record translates as 'While I Breathe I Hope', and apparently reflects the band's 'sense of wanting to take action that will lead to a breakthrough in the current situation.' So too does the video for lead single 'Different Sense', though some might argue that it more clearly reflects an unhealthy obsession with tentacle porn (see below).

'The beginnings of something as significant as the velvet revolution are said to have been in the “Prague Spring” which was started by a rallying of people of culture,' the statement concludes. 'For all of you who have read this, we ask that you do what you can to support us in our search for the truth.'

Read An Open Letter From Dir En Grey here.

Via The Tokyo Times