Customer Reviews

Gauze

5 star:		(19)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Gauze is a wonderful album. It was the first Dir en Grey album I ever heard and I still listen to it periodically to this day. Whenever I listen to this album I find it hard to believe that this is the same band that put out Withering to Death and Vulgar. Don't get me wrong, this is still dark rock music. You can also hear hints of the direction that Dir en Grey would later go in on this album. However, one thing that is truly remarkable is that this album is unbelievably good. It is often rare that first releases are so memorable, but Gauze is certainly a memorable album with a number of memorable songs. It set unbelievably high standards that could have easily crushed any other band. In other words, this is a legendary release. Since this album came out, Dir en Grey have gone onto becoming one of the biggest Japanese bands in the "world." It all started with this.

Some people would label this music "gothic," but I don't think that it fits into any specific category. Dir en Grey has always been a unique band. You can't call this band the Japanese version of Marilyn Manson because....

1. It is a disgrace.
2. It is simply an unfounded statement.

With that said, when listening to Gauze it is important to analyze the album from a different perspective. Do not try to find a word to define what you are hearing, just accept that it is unique. If you are looking for something that may have influenced this album, then look no further than Luna Sea and X-Japan. Unlike Vulgar and Six Ugly, Gauze is an album that cannot be defined by western standards.

This album has a number of pop hits along with some of Dir en Grey's most experimental material. Although this album is not as experimental as Macabre, it still contains one of Dir en Grey's most famous opuses -- Mazohyst of Decadence. Along with that, this album contains such songs as Cage, Yokan, Aukuro no Oka, Schwein No Isu, and other Dir en Grey "standards." The guitar work on this album is some of the best of any of their releases. It is all in E standard, which for anyone who knows how to play guitar is a thing of the past for Dir en Grey. This is a great album that everyone should give a listen to at least once in their lifetime, even if they can't stand Japanese music and Japanese culture.

Every fan of good music MUST own this cd! mazohyst of decadence and raison detre are riveting! Kyo's voice is AMAZING! a great example of japanese music at its best.

I have been a fan of theirs for years.. even though I live in America.. This is definantly one of their best albums out there...... Even if you are not familiar with Japanese music.. you should buy this cd. Amazing

This is Dir en grey's first major label album. Produced by Yoshiki of X Japan fame. Although I have seen better first major albums, this one was quite good. The best track, I would say, is -���`Á. Also contains the singles �ä��ß��, �A�N���Ì�u, �c -ZAN-, Cage, and -\�'.

Dir en grey is definately one of /the/ best bands out there. Gauze is a beautiful album, and should be bought no matter how high the price. Toshiya's bass solo in Cage is one of his best, and seems to be a fan favourite. Mazohyst of Decadence is so sad! It's about nine minutes long, but you'll feel as though you never want it to end, it is /that/ wonderful. Mitsu to Tsuba... XD The lyrics in that song leave one either hurling, or wowing (is that a word?). Yokan is really upbeat, and /very/ catchy. MASK is great, although Kyo's Engrish is kind of hard to understand, as it is in Zan. That is, until you know that he's speaking English. Still, his voice will leave you baffled. It can go from whispers to screams in time spaces that are... wow. Some of the noises he makes sound inhuman, and that manical laughter in Zan... o_O All of these guys are so talented!! BUY. THIS. ALBUM. It is definately one of Diru's best, and deserves to be listened to.

It's amazing how these men have evolved.
Gauze is a classic CD.
Like all Dir en grey CDs, each song is distinct, an inentity of its own.
People tend to complain about the westernization of Dir en grey (but they do play rock and roll, and where did rock and roll come from? The west!)
They don't realize hints of their change have been implanted as early as this CD.
You cannot tell me Zan doesn't equal hardcore rock, with Kyo's wails and Schein no Iso.
It's a great album, full of what makes Dir en grey good and special which is their ability to write any sort of song they want and to make you FEEL it.
Admire the skill of Dir en grey, and then listen to each and everyone of their excellent albums. It's so rare to find a band with this much passion, this much feeling and style in their music.
You've really got to drown yourself in them, you will not be sorry.

very good, this album still have the indies vibe that "Macabre" did not have. heavey fast and just a good over all sound. as said before each album much different from the one before. Gauze holds up still now, even as their first studio debut its still such a great album. Akuro no Oka is such a great song, slow and a good song to put on when you are driving. its very likable, you cant compare it to any of the american bands worth the 52 bucks to get the 2 day shipping

Without a doubt, Dir en grey is one of today's best Jrock bands. They experiment with many diffrent styles, thus they don't fit into any one category. If I had to describe Dir en grey in one word, it would be "Unique". They are very talented, and this album proves it. Produced by Yoshiki of the legendary Jrock group X Japan, this album is an incredible blend of styles displaying the vesatility of this band. From slow, melodic tracks like "Akuro no Oka", to insanely fast and psychotic tracks like "ZAN", Dir en grey has something for everyone. A definite Must-Buy. You won't be dissapointed.

Dir en grey has made a huge impact on the japanese visuial rock (visual kei) scene since their inception in '99 with this cd, their major label debut. With songs ranging from punkish to grindcore metal to ballad rock, Dir en grey never puts forth a bad song. The guitarists Kaoru and Die mesh their differing sounds and styles while keeping their own parts easily heard. Bassist Toshiya rolls out rhythms and melodies any bass player would appreciate. Drummer Shinya is a machine; fast and very methodical, never missing a beat. Finally, vocalist Kyo has a vocal range from clean to grind to something that can only be described as wonderfully chaotic. Each member brings forth their own playing style, making for a truly unique musical experience.

With the help of producer Yoshiki (of X-Japan fame), Dir en grey has made their presence known. Check out their other releases: MISSA, MACABRE, KAI: remixes, and their latest release, Kisou. If you like what you hear on GAUZE, I'm sure you'll like the rest of their music.

I feel that this is Dir en Grey's best album, although MACABRE is also very good. my favorite tracks are raison detre, yurameki, yokan, akuro no oka, cage, and MASK, but they are all very good. excellent instrumentation and kyo's vocals are very strong~ if you are a dir en grey fan, buy it!