Album Review: DIR EN GREY — UROBOROS

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Album Review: DIR EN GREY — UROBOROS (2008)

Verdict: ★★★★☆ (4.5/5)  •  Style: Experimental metal / Art-rock / Dark VK  •  For fans of: Opeth, Tool, MUCC (heavier era)

DIR EN GREY — UROBOROS (album cover)
UROBOROS - Cover Art.

dir en grey


Context

By 2008, DIR EN GREY had outgrown easy categorization. UROBOROS distilled years of experimentation into a focused, immersive statement—layered guitars, intricate percussion, and Kyo’s voice ranging from breathy whispers to inhuman howls. It’s a record that travels: from Japan’s VK roots to international metal press acclaim.

Sound & Songs

Textural guitars weave in counter-melodies; bass and drums pivot between restraint and eruption. The production prioritizes space and tension, so when the band goes heavy, it hits harder.

  • “VINUSHKA” — a sprawling opener that sets the album’s cinematic, volatile tone.
  • “DOZING GREEN” — angular and haunting; a perfect single that bridges eras of the band.
  • “GLASS SKIN” — fragile and melodic, revealing the album’s beauty beneath the brutality.

Watch: DOZING GREEN

DIR EN GREY - DOZING GREEN from ALBUM " UROBOROS" / MUSIC CLIP DVD "AVERAGE BLASPHEMY"

Visuals & Aesthetic

The UROBOROS era aesthetics pull darker and more minimal—monochrome styling, ritual imagery, and stage lighting that favors silhouette over spectacle. It’s VK sensibility stripped to symbols and mood, matching the album’s tension.

Impact & Why It Matters

  • Critical bridge: Brought the band deeper coverage in Western metal press without abandoning VK roots.
  • Fan consensus: Frequently cited as a career peak, and a litmus test for newcomers.
  • Live staples: Several tracks here still anchor their setlists—and absolutely crush live.

Pros & Cons

  • + Pros: towering dynamics; rich textures; singles that still bite; sequencing that rewards full-album play.
  • – Cons: density can be overwhelming on first pass; not a pop-hook record.

Verdict

UROBOROS is the sound of a band weaponizing nuance. It’s heavy without bludgeoning, beautiful without softening, and—crucially—endlessly replayable. If you’re mapping Visual Kei’s intersections with art-metal, start here.

Listen & Buy

▶ Listen on Spotify (album)
💿 Search on CDJapan  |  🏬 Search on Tower Records JP

Tags: Reviews, DIR EN GREY, UROBOROS

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