Different Sense-Dir en Grey: The Sound, the Visuals, and the Possible Meaning.

Listening to: Rapunzel by Emilie Autumn

Different Sense has been released! And at the time, I was working, and I was very surprised when I got home. The reason being was the music, of course! I loved it! But the promotional video and individual pictures, where a different kind of shock-

(From left: Toshiya, Kaoru, Kyo, Shinya, Die)

I haven't been able to figure out if the zombie effect comes from digital uses or a make-up artist yet. Chances are it's probably a little bit of both. I was honestly most surprised by the fact they where wearing make-up, which is what I assumed it to be at the time. They haven't done it in a while. If it's make-up, that's one hell of a make-up artist. You can tell the boys really enjoyed this. I can't imagine they didn't. 

As for the sound, it's pretty complex. There are different four guitar parts, apparently, that over lap, played by two guitarists. In the chorus, there is the melody, and then there is the screaming, or whatever you call it. Both parts are done by Kyo. There are other parts in the song where Die, Kaoru, and Toshiya yell/growl, but not in the chorus. The drumming is pretty rapid. And seeing as Shinya's drums have expanded over the years, he's going to progressively explore the limits of his set. At parts it feels like a racing heart multiplied by three, so it really get's your adrenaline going if you really get into the song (but some people don't.) And the Bass part is far from boring; Toshiya is all over the finger board, and the song in general is fast. About 3 and 1/2 minutes through the song, the Bass has an individual part that is recognizable. And then it goes into the chorus again. 

I'm really really excited about the guitar part, mostly because I play guitar and that's a part I tend to pay a lot of attention to, but the solo, or duet as I have now found out, is epic. Kaoru starts right after the chorus. And the Die comes in, and eventually they both have two hands on the finger board. Right before the part with the Bass I was talking about earlier, there is a guitar part that reminds me of the previous single , 'Lotus,' for some reason. And then you got the guitar part going on in the chorus, too. You could not play this song with just chords, and when there are chords, it's more like a rapid pulse then anything else. There are other parts that I think would be hard rhythms to play.

(Album art for the single 'Different Sense')

I'm really looking forward to seeing this song live, and see how they handle this song. They have had tricky songs before, that have more guitar parts then there is guitarists, as well as more vocal parts then there is Kyos. Most of the time the crowd will take the part Kyo isn't singing. And even in the U.S., they sing the Japanese Lyrics, which Kaoru has said he has been touched by. 

The Music Video, or as the call it in Japan, Promotional Video, had content hinted by the band managers before it was released. All I remember was something about anime, before I watched it. Well, after I watched, I now know, that it was just anime- it was hentai anime. Hentai is a form a Japanese porn to be short. Lots and lots of tentacles, but with zombies (band members) at the same time. Don't worry, no members were touched by the tentacles. But speaking of shots, I really have to hand it to the cameramen. The guitar and bass angles they had where unusual and are not the easiest to get. I'm sure, because it's hard to stay in one place when you are getting into the music with an instrument in your hands. They switch between anime and live scenes, along with band scenes, which the camera angles were not bad in either. The cameras took some rolling shots on the ground. Band members flashed between their usual selves and being zombies, which makes me think that it isn't make up and it's just special effects. Overall, the music video was kind of one that didn't make much sense, or maybe it just made a different sense. There wasn't much of a plot or anything, though it has a little progression but that's about it. It wasn't my favorite video of there's personally. 

I wondered if the anime clips they used where already from an anime, or if they had animators come in and do something new. I could see it going both ways seeing that they have used television clips before, like ones from WWII. Or if they wanted to get a certain feel, they could have had animators do it a particular way. Also, for another question- Is there a censored or uncensored version option this time around? Songs like 'Obscure' had two different versions, because one was only allowed to be televised and another was just the expression Dir en Grey was trying to get across fully. But, I have yet to hear if 'Different Sense' will be one of those. Different countries have different censors... different senses. 

I read a version of the translated lyrics. And yes, Kyo's lyrics have never been the easiest to understand right away, and they are good that way; different to every person. To me, it sounds like the themes have to deal with being sheltered and lying to ones self about who they really are. And probably some trauma in there too, leading to the sheltered behavior. Through out the song "Our Blackened Sun" is mentioned, and at the end "blue sky" is mentioned. So, I took that as the light is blinding. And the last lines are "With the future before you. Yes.. What does the blue sky mean?" So, finally this person is waking up. I find it interesting Kyo uses 'our' as in plural, and then uses 'you' as in singular at the end. I found the lyrics fascinating. Not only in his lyrics, but also in Kyo's writing to the fans, he sends some interesting messages that get me thinking. 

Sense Hageshisa, Lotus, and Different Sense have come out so great, I'm really looking forward to the music and lyrics in the upcoming album! And the future Dir en Grey!

The version of translated Lyrics I looked at was on this page- http://genebtmc.tumblr.com/ 

It was posted on 22nd of June if you have a hard time finding it. :)

EDIT- (Nov. 20, 2011) Now that a few months has past, and live photos have been released, I can now conclude that there is a kick ass make up artist behind this.  :D