03/07 - RAG Magazine

DIR EN GREYFEBRUARY 1, 2007REVOLUTIONNormally, when you put together in the same sentence the words “Japan”and “Heavy Metal,” you think of bands from either the U.S. or Europe thatare “Big in Japan.” You don’t generally see it the other way around as isthe case with Dir en Grey that have made a loud impact here in the statessince they toured with Korn and Deftones on the Family Values tour lastyear. Since their 2006 release, Withering to Death, became availabledomestically last May, the quintet blew the doors open to an Americanmarket that wasn’t prepared for the sound that is part gothic and bombast.The band (Kyo (vocals), Karoru (guitar), Die (guitar), Toshiya (bass), andShinya (drums)) kicked off their first headlining tour at Revolution in FortLauderdale at the beginning of last month to a crowd that had beenwaiting for their arrival. To this journalist, I hadn’t even heard of them untila week prior to their performance. I hadn’t seen or heard any bands from the Far East that delivered a sound that would make people over hereenvious. I sure didn’t expect the screaming response when the lights went down for their entrance onto the stage.Kicking off the first night of their tour in support of their newly released album, Marrow of the Bone, Dir en Grey was electric. Kyo belted outstrong vocals behind the double guitar attack of Karoru and Die. The crowd in the pit as well as around it on the first and second level walkwaysmoved in unison as the band played songs both from the aforementioned Marrow of the Bone as well as from Withering to Death.Songs such as “Clever Sleazoid,” “The Final,” and “Ryoujoku No Ame” had the crowd jumping. Musically, they are melodically intense with astinging fire that’s infectious and memorable. Behind the rhythm section of Toshiya and Shinya, Dir En Grey is a machine, and a reason whythey’ve become an international phenomenon.That Thursday night in Fort Lauderdale, the quintet from Japan made a stunning headlining debut to a packed crowd at Revolution. Given theirresponse since they started storming the states, this appears to be only the beginning. – Jeff Noller • Photos: Logan FazioWINGERFEBRUARY 10, 2007CULTURE ROOM“She’s only Seventeen,” well by now she’s only 35 years old. Those are the famous words recited from Winger’s 80s metal classic “Seventeen,” nearlytwenty years later and there was no performance anxiety when Winger played live in Ft Lauderdale. Winger have returned to grace the stage with moreprecision, fine musicianship but without the spandex and teased up hair. The music still solidifies Winger’s place in rock history, the fine instrumentation ofbassist Kip Winger surely grabbed my attention on this very night. Minus the Jethro Tull like maneuvers, ballet moves in between solos, Winger were dressedin casual clothes: ripped jeans and T-shirts. It was the music that held its ground tonight, where the audiences main focus was the sounds and not theanticipation of a shock valued performance.The maturity in Winger’s sound was clearly shown, as they belted through classics such as “Rainbow In The Rose” and “Easy Come Easy Go.” Guitarist RebBeach has never sounded better and more importantly more relaxed. His signature virtuoso guitar solos were still evident, every solo was played note fornote, exactly they way we remembered it back in the 80s. You could tell that Beach still favors that 80’s style, yet he has progressed with more of analternative essence. Midway through the show, Beach was given the chance to show what he could do as he attacked the audience with a full one manmusical assault. Watching Beach grace the stage with his meticulous technique, it reminds us that there are still some musicians who approach the guitarto explore the many possibilities.Drummer Rod Morgenstein was ecstatic through the night, his facial expressions spoke volumes as he went to work. Voted best percussionist inModern Drummer magazine consecutively on numerous occasions, it’s no surprise by the guys from Winger once again recruited this fine musicianwhen deciding to hit the road once again. Morgenstein’s style is fierce and unlike no other, surely a force to inspire generations of young drummersabroad. And let’s not forget the vocals of Kip Winger, having trained with a vocal coach incessantly throughout the past 15 years, his voice has onlygotten better, and louder. Kip’s voice resonated throughout the venue as he let out a raging scream before the guitar solo on “The Great Escape,”a new track from their latest offering WINGER IV.The audience never thought about heading for the exit, not until the show was complete. “Headed For A Heartbreak,” one of Winger’s mostmemorable compositional rock songs captivated the crowd, they were astounded by their performance, chanting for more! Finally Wingeranswered the audiences request with “Seventeen,” as I’m sure Kip reminiscences back to the days when Seventeen year old girls were fawningover his every movement, and yet perhaps those days aren’t too far behind. Kip Winger, although much older now, he still possesses thatcharismatic flair that can command an audiences attention.Being a fan of Winger from the late 80’s, I was just a little kid. Back then; unable to attend a Winger show, as I grew older I never thought I would have theopportunity to see them since their departure from the music world. But you know what they say, “good things come to those who wait.” I can’t begin toimagine what attending a Winger show would have been like twenty years ago, but I’m glad I was able to see Winger at their best on this night. It didn’t matterthat there were no fire works, or stylistic wardrobe, what truly mattered tonight was the music. Winger is a true musicians band, not focused on creatinga spectacle based on image, these guys showed us what it takes to put on a good show with music at their main driving force. Maybe it was just for onenight, or maybe there are many others like myself that were inspired to greatness on this very special occasion. -Joseph Vilanewww.RAGmagazine.com | 17