Before last year, it had been a while since I saw DIR EN GREY. Pre-pandemic, actually, way back in December 2019. I figured, you know what, I'm going to Japan for a couple of other shows, diru is playing too, why not? So I bought a ticket for their huge show at Yoyogi National Gymnasium with PIERROT. Great show, just like I remember. Lo and behold, they announced they're finally coming back to America not too long after.

Well, part of America. The greater Los Angeles area at least.

The first two shows sold quickly, slated for April 8 and 9 (Tuesday and Wednesda) at the Belasco Theater. A third show was added for the House of Blues Anaheim on Friday, April 11, which made a lot more sense for me, thankfully.

The tour's official name is "WHO IS THIS HELL FOR?" with the subtext "[mode of VULGAR & Withering to death]." VULGAR and Withering to death being the names of two of their albums from 2003 and 2005, respectively.  Expect music from their most recent album, 2022's Phalaris, along with music from the past, as the subtitle might suggest.

Regretably, the band will not be making a full-fledged tour but hopefully in the near future they'll be doing so.  There have been a lot of bands and musicians going on tour in America recently, and that trend will continue through the rest of the year.

Tour dates here:

4/8 Los Angeles, CA - The Belasco
4/9 Los Angeles, CA - The Belasco
4/11 Anaheim, CA - House of Blues Anaheim

Tickets are available via Livenation and Ticketmaster HERE (4/8), HERE (4/9), and HERE (4/11).