HD scans of photographs by Hirano Takashi in Rock And Read 124
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HD scans of photographs by Hirano Takashi in Rock And Read 124
Please do not repost anywhere.
HD scans of Hirano Takashi's photographs from Rock And Read 124.
Please do not repost anywhere.
HD scans of photos by Hirano Takashi from Rock And Read vol. 124
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Die interview on Niconama (2026/04/24)
Die says this album feels a lot different from Phalaris because Phalaris was made during the Covid years, and the band didn't even know if they would ever be able to play it live while they were making it. So for that reason, Mortal Downer feels different.
He says the title Mortal Downer was flitting about even soon after the band started making the album, but Joe is confused about the Downer part. Surely, since the release of Phalaris Covid is over, so its a more positive world now? Die replies that the state of the world now is irrelevant to the band, they are just dark anyway. He had the word Downer in his awareness while writing, but it didn't really influence his songs.
Die says they ended up with over 30 candiate songs for the album, and he even thought making a three-disk-album would be easiler than trying to reduce the songs down to one disk. Deciding which songs to discard, and which to keep was difficult. He thinks all the 30+ songs were good songs.
He wasn't really conscious of anything different about his playing during the recording stage, but he was more focussed on how the overall sound of the songs was before mixing.
A comment is read out saying the album feels unlike any other Dir albums, but what does Die think? Die says it feels like an album they were able to make due to the fact they have continued for 29 years. If they had stopped or had paused throughout the years, he thinks they would not have been able to make this kind of album. When the band first formed, he would never have imagined they would be like this, he didnt even imagine they would still be together 29 years later.
A viewer asks what the most difficult song to make was, and Die says all of them were difficult.
Die says he hasn't actually sat down and listened to the album much since the release, but for now he just needs a breather, and after a while he intends to actually listen to it (when he is not playing it live, obv), and he thinks he might be able to view it differently, or discover more in it.
Another question asks if he avoided drinking alcohol while he was making the album. He answers, no he didn't avoid drinking alcohol, he drank as normal. On the contrary, he would suffer if he didn't. He doesn't drink much at home, but he does when he goes out.
Someone asked him his outfit theme, and he said everyone just wore black.
Does he like motsunabe? Yes he does.
Please take off your sunglasses! Only in my downtime. Etc etc.
As his final message, he says he hopes everyone will be listening to this album for a long time to come.
Fujieda BAR!
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Highlights from Shinya and Kaoru's interview on the Nicnico live broadcast for Lunatic Fest 2025
Kaoru turning to Shinya to ask for his opinion at least three times when he was the one targetted by the question. It went like: "Kaoru-san, how did you find xyz?" Kaoru: *turns to Shinya* "How was it?" And Shinya always just giggled and answered politely.
Kaoru taking a pen from the platter that he was presented at the end of the interview to autograph the board, but handing that first pen to Shinya right away before taking a second one for himself.
Kaoru once again deferring to Shinya to ask what would be a good spot to put their autographs on the board, and Shinya quickly dismissing it with a vague gesture and: "Here".
Kaoru writing the band name and signing his stage name seriously, then Shinya adding his own autograph with a cute animal inside the S but hiding it from the cameras and everyone in the studio until it was finished.
Kaoru seemingly trying to catch Shinya's stare after that autograph while Shinya steps in front of him to give back the pen directly to the staff member, but Shinya not budging or catching anything that was going on.
Interview translation notes with Kaoru and Shinya at Lunatic Fes 2025/11/08
Fresh from their set, the host asks them how it was, and Kaoru immediately diverts the question to Shinya, who says it was good, the crowd was energetic.
The host then asks if it feels any different from 10 years ago, to which Kaoru diverts to Shinya again, making everyone giggle..Shinya says it everyone is still the same as they were 10 years ago.
Next, the host asks about the concept behind the band's performance at the festival, saying their set was very theatrical. Kaoru answers that he had intended for a setlist that was easy on the ears, to draw more new people in, but he thinks in the end it wasn't that kind of setlist after all. They were still themselves however, which is the most important thing.
The host asks about how Sugizo came to be involved in joining them onstage, and how they chose that particular song. Kaoru explains that Sugizo joined them for this song the first time Dir appeared at Luna Fes, and Sugizo himself suggested doing the same this time. Sugizo was so busy, he didn't have time to rehearse it with them, Kaoru just sent him a copy of their rehearsed music in advance. They had a quick discussion with him when they arrived at the venue, and also conversed over LINE as for prep. The host mentioned Sugizo was so busy, he was using a scooter to get around more quickly, even while holding his guitar.
The host ask Kaoru how he views Sugizo, as a fellow guitarist. Kaoru says simply that Sugizo is Sugizo, there isn't anything or anyone to compare him too. He isn't on the same level to be compared to anyone, he is just Sugizo. ShInya says he sees Sugizo as a god, and had always admired him.
The host asks how ShInya felt watchIng Sugizo from behind when he joined their set. Shinya said he was watching him the whole time, because he was stood rIght in front on him. Kaoru complains that Shinya never looks at him when he goes near him on stage, but Shinya replies its because Kaoru glares at him scarily when he stands infront of the drumkit, and thats why he doesnt look at him. Kaoru replies "I don't glare at you" before the free section cuts off.
※お支払い方法によって金額が異なる場合がございます This program can be viewed from ov...
Die Interview in Phy Vol. 28 + Scans
Dir en grey's new album is only about halfway done, running behind schedule.
Other translation notes on the interview:
Die Interview in Phy Vol. 28 + Scans
Dir en grey's new album is only about halfway done, running behind schedule.
Other translation notes on the interview:
Somehow that top stops just short of showing his nipples. What a plunging neckline though.
They look alike 😎 Toshiyaさん is tallllll
TOSHIYA ROCK AND READ 120 II
-Right now, you are still in the middle of making songs, but you said the 6 songs you already made are purposely the type of songs that don't fit into the band's sound. Conversely, have you considered creating something more conventional or something heavier that fits the band'?
Toshiya: This time, I don't mean to brag....but I went ahead with the intention of writing a lot of songs. Whether the songs I write are selected or not... I enjoyed the time I spent inmersed in making them. Of course I would like to play them live too, but I really enjoyed the time I spent creating them.
-When you are working on songs or art, does it feel like a dialogue with yourself?
Toshiya: I can't say....Moreover, it's not something that cool (like a dialogue). I just keep working hard on it.
-Some people experience the pain of creating but for you, it's a feeling of enjoyment what comes first.
Toshiya: That's right. I've been in a band for 28 years, and I'm getting older, but I still feel very blessed to be able to do something I'm passionate about.
Rock And Read 120 - Interview with Toshiya translation notes and HD scans
Interview translation notes: