Why Dir en grey's shift from visual kei to metal was NEEDED (rant)

So if you dont know Dir en grey is a japanese rock band formed in the 90s who are known for their experimental sound and diverse music styles and are very prominent in the japanese metal scene. When they first started out as an indie band they were considered a visual kei band.

Visual kei is a popular subculture in japan where bands would wear dramatic costumes, makeup and hairstyles and androgynous fashion. Its all about rejecting the norm of society and to express yourself freely.

From 1997 to about 2000 Dir en grey would be apart of that genre specifically the kote kei subgenre. Kote kei is basically the classic, old-school substyle from the 90s. They dressed up in colorful attire and hair, makeup and two members (Shinya and Toshiya) that dressed feminine. In their first EP "Missa" you can hear that early vkei sound of the 90s. Their debut album "Gauze" (produced by THE LEGEND YOSHIKI HAYASHI FROM X JAPAN!!!) had somewhat of what i'd like to call a professional rock sound mixed with a pop sound and the visual kei sound. The last album that contained the early visual kei sound was "Macabre". In these eras their songs were more melodic in a way, having a bit of a soulful, pop melody.

After that they wanted to switch up their style noting how being in the visual kei movement has restrained them a bit and "put a wall between them and their fans". So in their next album Kisou they somewhat switch up their style, incorperating a more raw, aggressive metal sound with heavy riffs. Since then their later works were more heavier with some songs having a bit of a soulful, rock melody.

Their overall look has changed aswell, switching up the colorful costumes with more dark attire and having more of a dark stage appearance. An important example of their sound changing is how the singer Kyo has changed his style. After ditching the vkei look his look has gotten more darker with him being considered as the most scary member of the band. He would often participate in self harm during concerts such as scratching himself until he bleeds and vomiting blood. Nowadays he doesn't do that and he wears more makeup and fun outfits since starting his other band "Sukekiyo". Now the band do dress up but not in the same vkei style from earlier.

Now the reason I think this shift was needed is because there were some vkei bands that would disband such as Malice Mizer, La'cryma Christi, Dué le quartz and more. And some bands that are considered vkei have had a switch up in their music later on such as X Japan, the GazettE and others. Now if Dir en grey continued to be in the visual kei movement there might have been a possibility that they would disband or people would get bored of the look later on. The switch has made it possible for them to explore more genres and experiment with their sound. If it were for me i would most likely get tired if there is no change and they make the same thing for a long time. Dont get me wrong i love their early visual kei days they fr served cunt (ESPECIALLY SHINYA AND TOSHIYA) but their later works are also amazing and creative. So imagine if they kept up with the vkei image for a long time.

Their switch in sound has given them a rich discography with different sounds and styles. Someone wants to hear a pop like song? Listen to "Yurameki". Someone wants to hear a heavy song? Listen to "Different Sense". Their songs always have something new to offer and sound different in their own way. So i really think their shift in sound was needed.

Uhhhhh ye thanks for reading my rant :P.