Review: Dir en grey - Agitated Screams of Maggots

I'm compelled to review this only because the mix on the single was redone for the album that this was placed on and it's the middle of the damn night. In both situations, I'd suggest against picking it up under most circumstances. The main difference between this and The Marrow of a Bone is that the latter has a few redeeming qualities while this one should send you running to the high hills with enough rations to last until Christ comes again.

That means you know this isn't going to be a nyappy, smiley review with sugary marshmallows and my custom made feather duster to gloss over the not so great parts.

01. Agitated Screams of Maggots
02. Kodoku ni Shisu, Yueni Kodoku.
03. Spilled Milk
04. Obscure

I'll start with the last three tracks since I can put them all under one lump sum: suck. Although they don't scrape the bottom of the barrel of throwaway B-sides that Clever Sleazoid managed to sink to, Kyo's voice isn't as vibrant as some of the other live tracks they've included. As a matter of fact, Kyo's voice sucks. I don't care what excuse someone comes up with - I would rather have another studio track than three live tracks of this quality. Kodoku ni Shisu carries the distinction for Kyo being silent for roughly half the track, unquestioningly mutilating himself live. All three of the tracks lack the theatrical element that makes watching Dir en grey live and leaves these feeling empty.

Just grab the album and skip these.

So that leaves Agitated Screams of Maggots and that has only one redeeming factor - the lyrics. The entire song is in English which means Kyo sings and it all comes out sounding like gibberish. He screams his head off like a little demon and while it's a song full of energy and anger, it's also the only thing going on in the track. Die and Kaoru's lines are pretty basic, boring, and lacking depth. You could honestly play this track with one guitar, and if you're a fan of Dir en grey you know that it means they really took the easy way out with this track.

I can't give these tracks high scores if I can't detect when the music begins and the rape stops.

If you're in the mood to scream about vile acts such as raping daughters on graves or if you feel evil enough to take a silver bullet in the chest, then I guess moshing around to this punk-metal hybrid is for you. Otherwise I would take a pass, since this single really isn't all it wants to be.

So, a quick breakdown of the single

Agitated = me
Screams = Kyo
Maggots = this CD

Get it?

Score: 40%