DIR EN GREY Returns to Los Angeles in Style

4/11/2025 - House of Blues - Anaheim, California.

DIR EN GREY Returns to Los Angeles in Style — WHO IS THIS HELL FOR? [Mode of VULGAR] Night 3

Five long years. That is how long fans waited. On April 11, 2025, at the House of Blues Anaheim, DIR EN GREY returned to Los Angeles and delivered a performance that reminded everyone why they are legends in the world of heavy music and theatrical artistry. This was the final night of three sold-out shows, and the energy was electric from the moment I walked through the doors.

This WHO IS THIS HELL FOR? [Mode of VULGAR] tour focused on the band’s VULGAR album, mixed with newer material that showed just how far they have come musically while keeping their edge intact. That balance of nostalgia and evolution is something few bands manage this well. For longtime fans and newcomers alike, the setlist delivered on every level.

I came into Visual Kei through my love of aggressive, experimental music, and DIR EN GREY quickly became one of the defining bands for me within the genre. This show only reinforced why they hold such a strong grip on the global scene. The crowd was a mix of diehard V-kei fans, goth scene regulars, and curious metalheads all brought together by one thing: brutality.

When the lights dropped, the entire venue exploded. I’ve never heard House of Blues this loud. The band hit the stage, every member greeted by a wall of cheers and screams. Stylish, composed, and ready to rock, they wasted no time.

They kicked off with “Ningen wo Kaburu,” and the mood instantly shifted. Shinya’s drums came crashing in, followed by filthy, distorted riffs from Die and Kaoru. Toshiya’s bass kept things grounded and heavy. And then there was Kyo. His voice sliced through the venue with complete control switching between rapping, growling, and soaring vocals like it was nothing.

The crowd sang every lyric back in Japanese. You could feel the floor shake. In the front row people were headbanging in a blur of color.

Setlist standouts included “OBSCURE,” “VINUSHKA,” and a powerful encore that added five more songs to an already intense night. “CHILD PREY” was even played twice due to a small slip-up but this only made the audience louder the second time around. It’s a testament to the band’s commitment to deliver perfection.

DIR EN GREY’s sound is tried and tested, and when they drop an English line, it hits hard making the crowd sing louder. This was not just a concert. It was a full-body experience. DIR EN GREY showed us again that they are here to leave a mark.