Is Phalaris a good place to start with Dir En Grey?

Yes, Phalaris is recommended as a starting point for new Dir En Grey listeners. A haunting exploration of despair, merging aggressive instrumentals with delicate melodies in a darkly atmospheric soundscape. By the time 'Phalaris' was released in June 2022, Dir En Grey had already established themselves as a prominent force in alternative and extreme metal. This album marks their first full-length release since 'The Insulated World' in 2018, showcasing a continued evolution in their sound and thematic depth as they navigate personal and societal darkness.

Phalaris works well if you're into visceral emotional peaks and valleys, dynamic journey with haunting melodies and immersive experience of darkness.

How many songs are on Phalaris?

Phalaris has 11 tracks, running approximately 53 minutes.

Phalaris

Dir En Grey · 2022

53 min · 11 tracks · progressive metal

A haunting exploration of despair, merging aggressive instrumentals with delicate melodies in a darkly atmospheric soundscape.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Schadenfreude Start here — The opening track sets an intense tone with its lengthy runtime, blending intricate guitar work and dynamic shifts that showcase the band's technical prowess and emotional range.
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The Perfume of Sins — This track stands out for its contrasting use of melodic elements amidst heavy instrumentation, illustrating the band's ability to balance aggression with haunting beauty.
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Eddie — At just under three minutes, this concise piece delivers a punchy exploration of themes around identity and perception, demonstrating the band's knack for impactful storytelling within a shorter format.
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カムイ — Closing the album with an epic length, this track encapsulates the overarching themes of 'Phalaris' through its atmospheric build-up and emotive climax, leaving a lasting impression.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

60 /100

Treeline

Higher than 66% of albums we've rated

The album showcases intricate compositions and a blend of aggressive and melodic elements, making it distinctive in its genre.

What we noticed

The album features a dynamic range, with tracks alternating between aggressive riffs and softer, melodic passages that create a sense of tension.

Composition 25% of the score: 8/10
Craft 20% of the score: 7/10
Durability 25% of the score: 6/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 7/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 6/10

Influence 3/10

Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Is this for you?

Good fit if you like

visceral emotional peaks and valleys
dynamic journey with haunting melodies
immersive experience of darkness
wave-like pacing that captivates
focused listening for deep reflection

Maybe skip if you

prefer instant gratification tracks
dislike lengthy, complex compositions

Where this album fits

In the catalog: Experimental — Phalaris showcases bold sonic experimentation, diverging from earlier established sounds.
Career context: By the time 'Phalaris' was released in June 2022, Dir En Grey had already established themselves as a prominent force in alternative and extreme metal. This album marks their first full-length release since 'The Insulated World' in 2018, showcasing a continued evolution in their sound and thematic depth as they navigate personal and societal darkness.
Stylistic neighbors: the GazettE· X Japan· Mucc