Dir En Grey's Current Top 10 Songs

Dir en Grey has existed in the heart of many Visual Kei-philes since 1997, when they released their first mini-album Missa. Soon Dir en Grey made it on the Oricon charts with five songs following it, produced by former X-Japan co-founder Yoshiki. They rose to astronomical fame in Japan shortly afterward, almost surpassing J-pop singer Camui Gackt. In 2005, Dir en Grey left Japan to tour in Europe, eventually hitting American markets. Dir en Grey is now a staple in Japanese and American hardcore audiences. These are currently Dir en Grey's top 10 songs, ranging from Missa to their current album, The Marrow of a Bone.

10. [KR] Cube. [KR] Cube signaled Dir en Grey's turn into modern Visual Kei and violence, signaled by the music video released with this. This is one of Dir en Grey's edgier, darker songs featuring many deaths and cross-dressing. In one shot a woman's breast is partially visible as she dances to club music.

9. Clever Sleazoid. Unfortunately this single doesn't rank higher because of Kyo's bad English. Even though he speaks English in most of the track, no one can tell! Not that it matters, since Japanese listeners say the same thing about his Japanese. Regardless, this song is sick, twisted, and clearly the work of Kyo. Most of Dir en Grey's songs haven't been as twisted as this (with the exception of Obscure and Saku), but Kyo wanted to make a statement in America -- and he did it.

8. R to the Core. This ranks the shortest of all Dir en Grey songs, but it's also pretty catchy. It's a nice filler piece from Dir en Grey's Vulgar album.

7. Yokan. Out of all of Dir en Grey's older songs, Yokan's the most popular besides Cage. It's bubbly, typical J-rock Visual Kei, featuring Kyo with berry red hair and more prettiful features. Unfortunately for most Visual Kei enthusiasts, this didn't last for long.

5. Cage. Besides Yokan, Cage ranks as one of Dir en Grey's most popular Visual Kei songs. The music video is also a bit famous, featuring Kyo torturing a ballerina. It also showcases Toshiya's bass solo, one that most fans love.

4. The Final. One of Dir en Grey's more touching songs. The whole band is surrounded in flames as a person commits suicide. A lot of fans love this song because of its meaning.

3. Saku. Warning: don't watch this when eating. This is one of Dir en Grey's sickest songs, and the music video is even more sicker. A young boy murders his family and lives comfortably in his house, his dead family rotting, cockroaches filling the house. Hilariously enough, Kyo's wearing grills.

2. Umbrella. This song ranks at #2 just because it's the greatest song live. It's not so great originally, but Kyo makes it really alive when performing live. You need to watch the live to truly appreciate it.

And now for number #1...

1. Obscure! This is one of Dir en Grey's truly sickest, sadistic songs ever produced. The music is truly exceptional and creepy. I'll spare you the gruesome details but it has very taboo sex scenes and violence, including a geisha that -- now I hope you're not eating -- eats a dead baby off a tree. Doesn't that make you hungry now?

With that said, this is their current top 10 songs from 1997 to now. Although new songs haven't been announced yet, Dir en Grey will produce more works before retiring (whenever that is).