Orkus: How would you describe your new album Withering to death. with your own worlds?
Dir en grey: A feeling of despair.

O: What's the meaning of the album's title?
Dir en grey: The title was created from the word "wither" which has different meanings, like: tortured humans, pain, conflict/opposite.

O: What does the "." at the end symbolize? Defenitiveness, something concluded?
Dir en grey: That's left to your fantasy.

O: Where does the idea for the artwork come from and who designed it?
Dir en grey: We wanted to use that kind of paper and designed several patterns with this material. The final design was made through tests and error; we did it together with a designer who has been working for us for a long time.

O: How long did you work on the new album, the music and the artwork?
Dir en grey: Composing the music took about a year, the planning of the design about three or four months.

O: Did you have the impression that you needed to fulfill certain expectations for the new album?
Dir en grey: I get that feeling more and more, every time we perform live.

O: How was your studio work advancing?
Dir en grey: We spent about half a year in the studio composing the music. The actual recording work was finished after about a month.

O: What is a normal day in the studio like for Dir en grey?
Dir en grey: We try to relax and speak about the ideas of every member. Almost every time we were in a bad mood.

O: Who of you prefers working in the studio, who prefers being on stage?
Dir en grey: In the studio it works like that: All five members say their opinion, Kaoru puts them together and brings things to an end. Everyone is using their entire nerve force [???], in the studio and live.

O: Is it difficult sometimes, to unite the five opinions of five individuals?
Dir en grey: It's fun and it is really exciting.

O: What does it mean to you when you're facing thousands of fans who are cheering and singing along with your songs?
Dir en grey: My heart beats faster.

O: Dir en grey's career went straight up. Even though you changed your style, your success remained. Don't you think that changing your style is always risky?
Dir en grey: We don't think so. We're just going our way.

O: You've done concerts in China and Korea. In your opinion, what are the differences of those countries compared to Japan?
Dir en grey: They felt us for the first time, I think; that purity gave us new power.

O: What was the best experience you've ever had on stage?
Kyo: Nothing.
Kaoru: To play rock.
Die: Every time is great.
Toshiya: It's great every day.
Shinya: It's great every time.

O: How many people come with you when you're on tour (including technicians, managers, etc.)?
Dir en grey: About 30 people accompany the tour in Japan (including band members, manager, stage director, sound team, light team, an instrument technician, film team, hair stylists, stylists, tour producers, etc.)

O: You can find everything on your beautiful and interesting webpage - everything, except photos! Why did you make that decision?
Dir en grey: Because we keep the picture of every moment as a treasure.

O: You're partly using English lyrics. Is that supposed to open up your way to Europe and America more easily, or is it just a stylistic element?
Kyo: I use it when I see it fit.

O: You're the most beloved Japanese band in Germany and Europe. How do you explain that phenomenon?
Dir en grey: I don't really have a definite feeling yet; I will come and prove that. [????]

O: What aim does Dir en grey want to reach?
Dir en grey: There is no aim.

O: Which day in the Dir en grey's past do you especially like remembering?
Kyo: There is nothing special.
Kaoru: I can't remember every time because everything is always so exciting.
Die: I can't remember every time because everything is always so exciting.
Toshiya: I will never forget the times we've spent together, in good and bad times.
Shinya: I can't forget any day.

O: If it wasn't for Dir en grey, what would you do now (except being musicians)?
Kyo: I never thought about that.
Kaoru: I can't think.
Die:: I don't really know...
Toshiya: I think I'd be doing something completely different.
Shinya: I haven't ever thought about that.

O: What are your plans for the future?
Dir en grey: We hope it won't go as we have planned (meaning, we don't know what will happen).

O: Because Japan as a country is rather exotic for Germans (in a positive sense!) I'd like to ask the question what exactly is "typically Japanese" in your opinion?
Dir en grey: An ant.

O: And what do you think is "typically German"?
Dir en grey: We get the feeling they're tough.

O: Now a few questions for the members: Kyo, what do you like about being a singer and what don't you like about it?
Kyo: I can't say it that easily, what is good and what is bad.

O: I've heard that you are a passionate sleeper, but you are a person full of energy. As the saying goes: "sleep is the little brother of death". What do you like in sleeping?
Kyo: I'm not as active as you think. No sleep means death.

O: Your lyrics are full of sadness and frustration. Is this a kind of valve for you?
Kyo: That is for your imagination to guess.

O: Kaoru, you're known as a workaholic. Whenever there is a problem with the label or an organizer, you're trying to find a solution. In the studio you also seem to be the one who switches off the lights as the last person there. What kind of energy makes you go on and fight instead of giving up?
Kaoru: I think that's one of life's challenges. And I don't want to loose something good because of something bad.

O: How do Dir en grey songs develop and in which situations is your creativity at it's best?
Kaoru: When we make music, starting with the guitar, my idea comes first. When I put the music together to one music with a feeling of balance. [????]

O: Is it sometimes hard for you to feel responsible for everything? How do you manage to push things further on?
Kaoru: That's not hard. I have a strong belief that I can handle difficult situations.

O: Die, what was the nicest compliment you've ever gotten?
Die: None.

O: You have changed your style and your outfit a lot and extremely in the last few years. Are you feeling, corresponding to the outfit, different inside as well?
Die: I don't know.

O: An easy and short question at the end: What does your guitar mean for you?
Die: Red.

O: Toshiya, an almost philosophical question: According to you, what is the meaning of life?
Toshiya: I wanted to know that meaning, that's why I am in a band.

O: You are a very creative person. Is there a lot to expect?
Toshiya: At the moment I have no time to think of different things.

O: Shinya, you are standing in the breach as a rock. Is there something that can make you loose composure?
Shinya: When I go insane.

O: What is your "training" to be such a talented and energetic drummer?
Shinya: To be in good health every day.

O: I heard you like dogs a lot. What are the three things or attributes of dogs that fascinate you the most?
Shinya: Looks, voice and character.