The Marrow of a Bone

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For the interior tissue of bones, see Bone marrow.
The Marrow of a Bone
Studio album by
Dir En Grey
ReleasedFebruary 7, 2007 (2007-02-07)
RecordedDecember 2005 – January 2007, various locations
Genre
Length63:25
  • 50:05 (disc one)
  • 13:20 (disc two)
LanguageJapanese, English
LabelFirewall Div./SMEJ
ProducerDir En Grey
Dir En Grey chronology
Withering to Death
(2005) 		The Marrow of a Bone
(2007) 		Uroboros
(2008)
Singles from The Marrow of a Bone
  1. "Clever Sleazoid"
    Released: October 21, 2005
  2. "Ryōjoku no Ame"
    Released: July 26, 2006
  3. "Agitated Screams of Maggots"
    Released: November 15, 2006

The Marrow of a Bone (stylized as THE MARROW OF A BONE) is the sixth studio album by Japanese heavy metal band Dir En Grey and the first to use an all caps capitalization. It was released on February 7, 2007, in Japan,[4] and in the United States (20 February), Germany (2 March),[5] France (6 March),[6] and the United Kingdom (7 May)[7] in the following months. In total, the album was released in eleven countries.[8] The band was touring North America at the time of the album's release in both Japan and the United States.[9] In March 2007, The Marrow of a Bone reached number 21 on Billboard's "Top Independent Albums" chart.[10]

The album was released in Japan with two editions. The regular edition is a single disc packaged in a traditional jewel case, and a limited edition was released with two discs, one being the main album, and the second an "unplugged" album.[11] The European and American releases were all single editions.

The main disc with the thirteen featured tracks were included. The initial pressing of the album's American edition was affected by a misprint.[clarification needed][12] Warcon Records announced that corrected booklets would be printed,[13] however, specific details have yet to be released.[needs update] Later pressings featured a correctly printed booklet with a fully visible logo. The cover image is taken from the Dmitri Baltermants photograph "Grief".

A promotional site, in both Japanese and English, was launched prior to the album's release, containing video clips and samples of several songs, information about the album, hosted on the band's official web page.[14] A second promotional site was launched shortly after the release, only accessible with a password included in the Japanese release.[15] Both sites posted information about "premium live" shows, available to those who purchased the album and registered with their product barcode. Footage from the first show was featured on the fan club DVD, In Weal or Woe.[16]

Production[edit]

The Marrow of a Bone is, like most other Dir En Grey albums, self-produced. Work began on the album as early as 2005,[17] while the majority of songs were written while touring throughout 2006 between shows in Japan, Europe, and America during the Family Values Tour.[18][19] The band members noted that touring in the United States on a major festival tour influenced and inspired them in the production process,[20] and several songs, including "Lie Buried with a Vengeance",[21] "Agitated Screams of Maggots",[22] and "The Pledge".[23] Guitarist Kaoru has said about the production process, "...some of it went really well, but some of it went really badly."[18] The entirety of the album's final recording was completed following their 2006 tour in December, with only the month of January to finalize production to meet the February release date. Even though the formal process was rapid, it has been described as their cleanest production and heaviest album to date.[24] The production on the supporting singles and the album showed a noted difference, with two of the singles, "Ryōjoku no Ame" and "Clever Sleazoid", being rerecorded entirely for the album, as Dir En Grey hired a new sound engineer.[25] "Ryōjoku no Ame" received a strong change instrumentally, as well as removing the falsetto vocals.[8]

As with every Dir En Grey album following Vulgar (2003), the lyrics are solely composed by Kyo, and all music is credited to Dir En Grey wholly, while the online liner notes give some insight into individual writing of songs, such as drummer, Shinya's writing of "Namamekashiki Ansoku, Tamerai ni Hohoemi".[26]

Style[edit]

The entire album is a progression for Dir En Grey into heavier sounds, felt in the previous album, Withering to Death.[27] Individually, the album's songs vary from soft and slow-tempoed, to chunky and aggressive, however the sound on the album always remains dark and emotional.

The album opens with a moody,[28] slow-tempoed[17] power ballad,[27] "Conceived Sorrow", but the contrast is immediate with the second track, "Lie Buried with a Vengeance" displaying "thrashy drumming, callous riffing, and barked vocals".[27] The album continues at a heavier, faster pace with "The Fatal Believer", "Agitated Screams of Maggots", and "Grief".[24] "Agitated Screams of Maggots" is the pinnacle of the album's "straightforward bashing metal". The album steps down in heaviness as "Ryōjoku no Ame" is a "near-symphonic progressive metal tune."[28] Following is "Disabled Complexes", a song that "contains a lot of funk elements" but it quickly goes "into a different dimension in the middle of the song."[29] Showing a completely different sound, "Namamekashiki Ansoku, Tamerai ni Hohoemi" is a deviation from the heavier, loud sound enduring from the second track, and seen as the softest of the feature tracks.[24] The guitar work has a "Spanish-like", melodramatic sound,[30] with a very emotional expression showing "the band's maturity as songwriters,"[24]

The album's final progression to its heavier sounds begins with "The Pledge", which for Kyo, uses his full vocal range.[23] "Repetition of Hatred" is another heavy track to the album, which gives a strong example of the backing vocal aspect, performed by Kaoru, Toshiya and Die, the latter who commented "It's tough sometimes when you have to sing and play your guitar at the same time. Kyo [the lyricist] doesn't think about how difficult it can be."[31]

Music videos[edit]

The first music video released was for "Clever Sleazoid" in 2005 with the single version of the song, however the new recording is featured in the live-footage music video found on Despair in the Womb. After a year of touring, the next single, "Ryōjoku no Ame" was released, also featuring a music video. The third single from the album, "Agitated Screams of Maggots", is another song with two music videos. The first music video for the song was an animated video created by Keita Kurosaka, which was shown at the 2007 International Film Festival Rotterdam.[32] The original video aired only as a censored clip on Japanese television, due to its "sick and twisted" nature.[24] A second music video for the song appears on Despair in the Womb, compiled of live footage of their 2006 touring.

"Grief" is the only track on the album to be turned into a music video without being released as a single. The video was released just prior to the album as a promotional clip.

Touring[edit]

Dir En Grey supported The Marrow of a Bone with touring throughout 2006 and all of 2007. In 2006, Dir En Grey began their "Tour 06 Inward Scream" shows, with the debut show in August. The show featured several teaser tracks, making this the debut performance of "Conceived Sorrow",[17] "Agitated Screams of Maggots",[33] "Disabled Complexes",[29] and "The Deeper Vileness".[33] After featuring these teaser tracks in the later 2006 touring, the band started regularly rotating several new songs during the American tour, beginning in 2007. The album was released while Dir En Grey was on tour in the United States, however the band was not yet fully supporting the album.

In March, the band began "Tour 07 The Marrow of a Bone",[34] thoroughly covering much of Japan and ending in the beginning of May. This tour introduced set-lists containing most of the tracks from The Marrow of a Bone, and was the first time many of the songs had been performed publicly.[35] After the first leg of "The Marrow of a Bone" touring, Dir En Grey went on to another American tour, opening for Deftones in June and July.[34] The short set-lists, due to their opening position, usually consisted of new material, giving the first performances of several songs in the United States.[36]

Following American touring, "Tour 07 The Marrow of a Bone" continued, now in its European stage. The European tour, still supporting the album,[37] including several festival appearances, brought Dir En Grey through the United Kingdom, Sweden, Denmark, Germany, Finland, and Poland.[34] Upon returning to Japan, the band recorded and released a new single, "Dozing Green", and had a short tour supporting the new single, as well as the previous album.[38] The "Dozing Green" tour also contained a short European leg, supporting the same material.[39] "The Marrow of a Bone" tour concluded with a short Japan tour in December 2007, also featuring American band 10 Years as a support act.[40] The finale took place with three consecutive shows at Shinkiba Studio Coast in Tokyo.[34]

Reception[edit]

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
About.com[41]
Allmusic[42]
Billboard.com(favorable)[43]
Metal Hammer
MusicOMH[44]
Ultimate Guitar8.5/10[45]

The album has received critical acclaim from music critics. Reviews by Apeshit,[24] Billboard.com[46] and About.com[47] described it as Dir En Grey's best album to date, and a definite progression from their last effort, Withering to Death, which was also met by underground critical acclaim.

The album reached the second spot on CDJapan 2007 sales charts.[48] The album charted on the Billboard "Top Heatseekers" chart at number 8,[49] the "Top Independent Albums" at number 21,[50] and again on the Oricon album charts at number 30.[51]

Track listing[edit]

All lyrics are written by Kyo; all music is composed by Dir En Grey

Disc one
No.TitleLength
1."Conceived Sorrow"4:49
2."Lie Buried with a Vengeance"2:43
3."The Fatal Believer"3:11
4."Agitated Screams of Maggots"2:57
5."Grief"3:38
6."Ryōjoku no Ame" (凌辱の雨; "Rain of Violation")4:03
7."Disabled Complexes"3:56
8."Rotting Root"4:45
9."Namamekashiki Ansoku, Tamerai ni Hohoemi" (艶かしき安息、躊躇いに微笑み; "A Charming Repose, Smiling in Hesitation")4:38
10."The Pledge"3:55
11."Repetition of Hatred"4:33
12."The Deeper Vileness"3:46
13."Clever Sleazoid"3:12
Total length:50:05
Disc two (unplugged, limited edition only)
No.TitleLength
1."Namamekashiki Ansoku, Tamerai ni Hohoemi" (艶かしき安息、躊躇いに微笑み; "A Charming Repose, Similing in Hesitation")4:29
2."Conceived Sorrow"4:59
3."The Pledge"3:51
Total length:13:20

Notes[edit]

  • "The Deeper Vileness" was re-recorded and released on the second disc for the limited editions of their 2018 album The Insulated World.[52]
  • "Clever Sleazoid" was re-recorded and released as a b-side of the band's "Ochita Koto no Aru Sora" (落ちた事のある空, The Fallen Sky) single in 2020.

Release history[edit]

Region Date Label Format Catalog
Japan 7 February 2007 Firewall/SMEJ double-disc CD album SFCD-0048~49
single-disc CD album SFCD-0050
United States 20 February 2007 Warcon/Fontana CD album WRCN-15
Germany 2 March 2007 Gan-Shin CD album FWEAL003CD
France 6 March 2007
United Kingdom 7 May 2007
South Korea 20 November 2007 Ales Music CD album ALESCD-2062

Personnel[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ Allmusic - Marrow of a Bone
  2. ^ Sputnikmusic "Dir En Grey - The Marrow of a Bone"
  3. ^ Metalsucks "DIR EN GREY “THE MARROW OF A BONE” ALBUM REVIEW"
  4. ^ "Dir En Grey Official Web Site - Discography" (Database). direngrey.co.jp (in English and Japanese). Sun Krad Co. Ltd. p. 1. Retrieved 2008-05-29.
  5. ^ "Neues Dir En Grey-Album "Marrow of a Bones" kommt am 02.03" (News release). vertigo.fm (in German). p. 1. Retrieved 2008-05-29.
  6. ^ "Dir En Grey - Releases". jvstore.com. Gan-Shin. p. 1. Archived from the original (Catalogue) on 2007-03-03. Retrieved 2008-05-29.
  7. ^ "Dir En Grey Sells Out Debut U.K. Show in Two Days". roadrunnerrecords.com. 22 April 2007. p. 1. Archived from the original (News release) on 25 April 2007. Retrieved 2008-05-29.
  8. ^ a b "Kyo- Absolute Voice Section". Gigs. Japan. March 2007.
  9. ^ "2007 tour time line". direngrey.co.jp.
  10. ^ "Top Independent Album". Billboard Magazine. March 17, 2007.
  11. ^ "Limited edition release information". cdjapan.co.jp.
  12. ^ "Official Warcon statement (details to come)". warconent.com.
  13. ^ "Warcon reprint statement". warconent.com.
  14. ^ "Official promotional website". direngrey.co.jp.
  15. ^ "The Marrow of a Bone limited site". freewill.jp. Archived from the original on 2007-10-09.
  16. ^ "In Weal or Woe release information". jame-world.com.
  17. ^ a b c Masuda, You. ""Conceived Sorrow" limited content notes" (Liner notes). direngrey.co.jp. p. 1. Retrieved 2008-05-29.
  18. ^ a b "Dir En Grey interview". planet-loud.com. Archived from the original on 2007-12-13.
  19. ^ "About.com interview with Kaoru". about.com.
  20. ^ "Dir En Grey's Inward Scream Tour Hits America". artisannews.com.
  21. ^ Masuda, You. ""Lie Buried with a Vengeange" limited content notes" (Liner notes). direngrey.co.jp. p. 1. Retrieved 2008-05-29.
  22. ^ Masuda, You. ""Agitated Screams of Maggots" limited content notes" (Liner notes). direngrey.co.jp. p. 1. Retrieved 2008-05-29.
  23. ^ a b Masuda, You. ""The Pledge" limited content notes" (Liner notes). direngrey.co.jp. p. 1. Retrieved 2008-05-29.
  24. ^ a b c d e f Dr. Park (27 February 2007). "Dir En Grey - The Marrow of a Bone". apeshit.org (CD review). Apeshit. p. 1. Retrieved 2008-05-27.
  25. ^ Masuda, You. ""Ryōjoku no Ame" limited content notes" (Liner notes). direngrey.co.jp. p. 1. Retrieved 2008-05-29.
  26. ^ Masuda, You. ""Namamekashiki Ansoku..." limited content notes" (Liner notes). direngrey.co.jp. p. 1. Retrieved 2008-05-29.
  27. ^ a b c Shepherd, Sam. "Dir En Grey – The Marrow of a Bone". musicOMH (CD review). Retrieved May 27, 2008.
  28. ^ a b Jurek, Thom. "allmusic ((( Marrow of a Bone > Review )))" (Album review). allmusic.com. Macrovision Corporation. p. 1. Retrieved 2008-05-29.
  29. ^ a b Masuda, You. ""Disabled Complexes" limited content notes" (Liner notes). direngrey.co.jp. p. 1. Retrieved 2008-05-29.
  30. ^ McIrish, Brian (7 March 2007). "Music Review: Dir en Grey - The Marrow Of A Bone" (CD review). blogcritics.org. p. 2. Retrieved 2008-05-27.
  31. ^ Masuda, You. ""Repetition of Hatred" limited content notes" (Liner notes). direngrey.co.jp. p. 1. Retrieved 2008-05-29.
  32. ^ "Agitated Screams of Maggots - SH (IFFR 2007)". filmfestivalrotterdam.com. International Film Festival Rotterdam. p. 1. Retrieved 2008-05-29.
  33. ^ a b "Tour 06 Inward Scream". Haiiro No Ginka. 33: 30. 2006.
  34. ^ a b c d "Dir En Grey 2007 timeline" (Timeline). direngrey.co.jp. Sun-krad. p. 1. Retrieved 2008-05-16.
  35. ^ "Tour 07 The Marrow of a Bone". Haiiro No Ginka. 36: 18–22. 2007.
  36. ^ "Deftones Summer Tour 2007". Haiiro No Ginka. 36: 3–10. 2007.
  37. ^ "Tour 07 The Marrow of a Bone -Europe-". Haiiro No Ginka. 37: 5–12. 2007.
  38. ^ "Tour 07 Dozing Green". Haiiro No Ginka. 37: 18–22. 2007.
  39. ^ "Tour 07 Dozing Green -Europe-". Haiiro No Ginka. 38: 19–22. 2008.
  40. ^ "Tour 07 The Marrow of a Bone with 10 Years". Haiiro No Ginka. 38: 3–9. 2008.
  41. ^ "Dir En Grey - The Marrow of a Bone Review". About.com.
  42. ^ "Marrow of a Bone - Dir en Grey". Allmusic.
  43. ^ "The Marrow of a Bone - DIR EN GREY". Archived from the original on September 29, 2007. Retrieved July 13, 2007.
  44. ^ "Dir En Grey - The Marrow of a Bone". MusicOMH.
  45. ^ "The Marrow Of A Bone Review". Ultimate Guitar. Ultimate-Guitar.com. Retrieved 19 October 2018.
  46. ^ "Billboard.com - The Marrow of a Bone". billboard.com.
  47. ^ "Dir En Grey - The Marrow of a Bone Review". about.com. Retrieved 2008-07-10.
  48. ^ "2007 Top 100 Charts". cdjapan.co.jp.
  49. ^ "Top Heatseekers - The Marrow of a Bone". billboard.com.
  50. ^ "Top Independent Albums". billboard.com.
  51. ^ 2007年02月第4週の邦楽アルバムランキング情報. oricon.co.jp (in Japanese). Retrieved 2008-07-10.
  52. ^ "DIR EN GREYニューアルバム詳細公開、新たなビジュアルも解禁に". 音楽ナタリー. Natasha, Inc. Retrieved 19 October 2018.

External links[edit]

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