J-ROCKS ADDICTED!!

Dir en Grey >> Originally named La:Sadies, Dir en grey has been in the Japanese rock scene for over 7 years and their impact is still in full swing. With Kyo's controversial lyrics, Toshiya's deep bass, Kaoru and Die's incredible guitars, and Shinya's sometimes impossible seeming drums it's easy to fall in love Diru's music.
Their popularity started in 1998 when there single "I'll" broke indie sales records and hit #7 on the Oricon chart in Japan. After that, Yoshiki of X-Japan�s took tem under his wing (in other words a very famous musician place the band under hislable) and in doing so helped them produce three major singles.After the release of their first major album, Gauze, and an extensive tour, Dir en Grey released a live video of the infamous Osakajou Concert. With a new single the band let go of Yoshiki's production and their sound returned to a more indies feel.
Dir en Grey has since released many albums including Macabre, Kisou, Six Ugly, and VULGAR. Thier music has changed vastly over the years not only in sound but in image. With 7 years under their belts and plenty more to go, expect Dir en Grey to be a big name in Japanese Rock for many years to come.
Members:
Kyo - Vocalist, Kaoru - Guitar/Backing Vocals, Die - Guitar/Backing Vocals, Toshiya - Bass Guitar/Backing Vocals & Shinya - Drums

The Gazette >> (ガゼット, Gazetto?, typeset as the GazettE) is a Japanese rock band, and part of the visual kei movement.The band formed in early 2002 and is currently signed to PS Company and King Records.The Gazette's musical style varies greatly, but it is generally thought of to be a form of Rock Music, also commonly dwelling into the genres of Heavy Metal and Alternative Metal. Songs like "Silly God Disco" feature a funk rock styled sound, while "SWALLOWTAIL ON THE DEATH VALLEY" features a hard rock styled sound, while songs like "Maggots", "Discharge" and "Headache Man" dwell into heavier forms of Music, in particular, Alternative Metal. The release of the new album DIM showed The GazettE producing a more Experimental sound than in older Albums, while retaining their Alternative Metal styled sound, shown in songs such as "OGRE". The Gazette also uses a wide range of synthesised sounds during their songs, mainly female voices, shown in songs such as "SWALLOWTAIL ON THE DEATH VALLEY" and "Filth in the Beauty". The Gazette has also produced a number of lighter rock songs, such as "Calm Envy" and "Cassis".

Members: Ruki – vocals Uruha – guitar Aoi – guitar Reita – bass guitar Kai – drums Former members Yune – drums






D'espairsRay >> was formed in 1999 with its present line up. They are a visual kei band, and have their roots in an earlier group, Le’Veil. Their music is often considered as heavy rock or industrial goth, and they are heavily influenced by Marilyn Manson.In 1999, D’espairsRay put together a demo tape, and made a limited of run of sixty, which they gave away to fans. Their first single Kumo was released in October 2000, although only 300 were pressed. They continued to release limited edition items although the numbers pressed rose steadily. In 2001, they released Terrors, and started touring more widely.
Their first album Itanji was released in 2003, and they continued releasing singles, with Garnet being their first number one single. This brought the band a still bigger audience, and resulted in their playing at the Stylish Wave 03 Mega Force Gig.
The single MaVERiCK in 2003 saw a change of direction as well as an increase of popularity for the band. Many of their songs are about death and the negative state of the world, the lyrics often being screamed out by HIZUMI.
In 2004, D’espairsRay played their first international shows in Paris and Berlin. They continued to tour internationally, visiting the US several times mainly performing at anime conventions.
In 2006, D’espairsRay made their third visit to America and released the documentary DVD The World Outside The Cage. They followed this with a new single Kogoeru Yoru Ni Saita Hana. Later in the year, the band made another trip to Germany and when upcoming shows in Finland were announced, they sold out in less than a day.
D’espairsRay are known for their dark and heavy sound, intertwining fast guitar riffs with bass and drum lines. Frequently, Hizumi gives death screams or gaspings to enhance the darkness of their music. The band is becoming one of the biggest names in the visual-kei world today.
Members:
Shimizu Michi (aka ZERO) : Bass, Back Vocals
Matsumura Yoshitaka (aka Karyu) : Guitar, Back Vocals, Keyboard
Oota Kenji (aka TSUKASA) : Drums
Yoshida Hiroshi (aka HIZUMI) : Vocals