  dir en grey (stylized as dir en grey and previously as dir en grey) is a japanese metal band formed in 1997 and currently signed to firewall div., a sub-division of free-will. as of 2013, they have recorded eight full-length records with a lineup consistent since its inception. numerous stylistic changes have made the genre of their music difficult to determine, though it is generally considered to be a form of metal. originally a visual kei band, the band has opted for less dramatic attire in recent years. ==history== ===1997â1999: early career=== dir en grey was preceded by the independent rock band la:sadie's, which included four of dir en grey's members before it ended activities. they disbanded due to leader and bassist kisaki not wanting to debut as he felt that it was too soon, but guitarist kaoru believed that they were ready for it. after parting ways with kisaki, kaoru, kyo, die and shinya recruited bassist toshiya and regrouped as a new band on february 2, 1997. they released their first ep, missa, a few months later. according to to
1997_establishments_in_Japan Dir_En_Grey Gan-Shin_artists Japanese_alternative_metal_musical_groups Japanese_avant-garde_metal_musical_groups Japanese_death_metal_musical_groups Japanese_hard_rock_musical_groups Japanese_progressive_metal_musical_groups Musical_groups_established_in_1997 Musical_groups_from_Osaka Musical_quintets Nu_metal_musical_groups Sony_Music_Entertainment_Japan_artists Visual_kei_musical_groups