Phalaris (stylized as PHALARIS) is the eleventh studio album by Japanese heavy metal band Dir En Grey, released on June 15, 2022, via Firewall Div./SMEJ.[2]
| Phalaris | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | June 15, 2022 | |||
| Genre | ||||
| Length | 53:45 | |||
| Language | ||||
| Label | ||||
| Producer | Dir En Grey | |||
| Dir En Grey chronology | ||||
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| Singles from Phalaris | ||||
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| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| Sputnikmusic | 3.5/5[1] |
Background
editPhalaris is the first album in 4 years since The Insulated World, and marks the 25th anniversary of the band's formation.[3] Re-recorded versions of two earlier singles "Mazohyst of Decadence" (from Gauze) and "Ain't Afraid to Die" are included exclusively for the limited edition bonus CD of this release.[4]
The title and artwork for Phalaris is inspired by the ancient tyrant Phalaris and the torture device he invented, the Brazen bull,[5] "in which victims were roasted alive. An internal mechanism was said to distort the screams of the victims into the cries of cattle."[6]
A music video for "The Perfume of Sins" was released on June 14, 2022, "just two hours before midnight of the album's official release on June 15."[7]
A Blu-ray/DVD that has included live recordings taken from performances in Shinkiba Studio Coast in Kōtō, Tokyo, Japan on January 26 and 27, 2022 (additional show), will be released in support of Phalaris, titled The Final Days of Studio Coast.[8] A series of online live events to celebrate the release of the album has been scheduled for July 1, 2, 3, and 18, 2022.[9]
Critical reception
editThe album received positive reviews from JRock News[10][11] and rockin'on.com.[12]
Track listing
editAll lyrics are written by Kyo; all music is composed by Dir En Grey
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Schadenfreude" | 9:58 |
| 2. | "Oboro" (朧; "Haziness") | 3:59 |
| 3. | "The Perfume of Sins" | 4:18 |
| 4. | "13" | 3:42 |
| 5. | "Utsutsu, Bouga o Kurau" (現、忘我を喰らう; "Consciousness, Feeding on Ecstasy") | 3:30 |
| 6. | "Ochita Koto no Aru Sora" (落ちた事のある空; "The Fallen Sky") | 3:19 |
| 7. | "Mouai ni Shosu" (盲愛に処す; "Condemned to Blind Love") | 2:51 |
| 8. | "Hibiki" (響; "Echo") | 3:58 |
| 9. | "Eddie" | 2:52 |
| 10. | "Otogi" (御伽; "Night Maiden") | 6:03 |
| 11. | "Kamui" (カムイ; "Kamuy) | 9:11 |
| Total length: | 53:45 | |
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Mazohyst of Decadence" | 5:55 |
| 2. | "Ain't Afraid to Die" | 6:58 |
| Total length: | 12:53 | |
Personnel
editDir En Grey
Charts
edit| Chart (2022) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Japanese Albums (Oricon)[13] | 5 |
References
edit- ^ "Review: Dir En Grey - Phalaris". Retrieved July 16, 2022.
- ^ "DIR EN GREY excites with details on album "PHALARIS"". 17 March 2022.
- ^ Yamazaki, Yoichiro. "[JAPAN latest issue] Dir En Gray's masterpiece "Phalaris", which was the 25th anniversary of its formation, and the current location of Dir En Gray". rockin'on.com. Retrieved July 16, 2022.
- ^ Erica (3 May 2022). "Dir En Grey reimagines old songs in album "Phalaris", holds online events". jrocknews.com. Retrieved July 16, 2022.
- ^ "Dir En Gray, new album jacket & new album inspired by torture equipment" (in Japanese). Natalie. May 20, 2022. Retrieved July 16, 2022.
- ^ Erica (26 May 2022). "Dir En Grey tortures with "Phalaris" new look, album art". jrocknews.com. Retrieved July 16, 2022.
- ^ Erica (14 June 2022). "Dir En Grey burns alive in "Perfume of Sins" music video". jrocknews.com. Retrieved July 16, 2022.
- ^ U, Nori (4 July 2022). "Dir En Grey immortalizes venue's legacy in "The Final Days of Studio Coast"". jrocknews.com. Retrieved July 16, 2022.
- ^ "Dir En Gray new album contents announced, BD / DVD fully recorded last year's Tokyo Garden Theater performance" (in Japanese). Natalie. April 28, 2022. Retrieved July 16, 2022.
- ^ U, Nori (30 June 2022). "Review: Dir En Grey forges brazen album "Phalaris"". jrocknews.com. Retrieved July 16, 2022.
- ^ Kyo, Mazohyst (26 May 2022). "Review: Is Dir En Grey's album "Phalaris" the next step for an ever-changing band?". jrocknews.com. Retrieved July 16, 2022.
- ^ Takahashi, Mio. "Vivid, supple and strong truth is revealed- "Phalaris" Dir En Gray". rockin'on.com. Retrieved July 16, 2022.
- ^ "Oricon Top 50 Albums: 2022-06-27" (in Japanese). Oricon. Retrieved July 19, 2022.