Review: Dir en grey - Myaku

I’m only reviewing the single because it features a different mix of the song than the one later featured on Macabre.

01. 脈
02. Ash
03. 脈 [8½ Convert]

Myaku was the first single released after Gauze, and this is where the band parted ways with Yoshiki. And that is evident throughout the entire single. Diru relinquishes the polished feeling of Gauze for a grittier, dirtier image with this single. And that is audible once the track begins. What sounds like no instrument ever conceived by man starts off the song before the guitars jump in and smattered vocals followed by acoustic work and singing on Kyo’s part fluctuate back and forth. Somewhere in the middle of the song, Shinya lets loose with a kick-ass drum solo that alone is worth giving this song a listen. It also has a fond place in my collection for having the most kick-ass ending ever devised.

Ash was a rerecording of an earlier version of ash which debuted on Kaede~…if trans~ music video compliation. This version is more direct and to the point, even if it almost spans six minutes in length. Compared to Myaku, Ash seems almost simplistic in design having been composed by both guitarists. A similar sound that started off Myaku starts off Ash, but it quickly changes with the mention of the word into a more guitar-driven track. Kyo’s singing in this song is different from any song that has ever come before, and could cause the average listener to turn away. IMHO, Ash is the EPITOME of what post-Yoshiki Diru is all about. Give it a listen if you can find it. It’s well worth it (and the ending kicks-ass as well).

The Myaku remix has the coolest name, but the beat is almost nonexistent. It doesn’t even SOUND like a remix. More like a smattering of sound and guitar chords in between spastic conversations in Japanese. Kaoru must have been on LSD when he composed this because I can barely call it a song. Listen to the song and you will see what I mean. It makes the remixes of the Gauze singles seem highly thought out.

Rating: 3.5/5