Dum Spiro Spero
by Dir en Grey
  • Record Label: The End
  • Release Date: Aug 2, 2011
Metascore
74

Generally favorable reviews - based on 8 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 5 out of 8
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 8
  3. Negative: 0 out of 8
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  1. AllMusic
    Aug 9, 2011
    80
    Dir en Grey are a band in their own genre at this point, and Dum Spiro Spero is the farthest-reaching testament to establish that as fact more than opinion.
  2. Entertainment Weekly
    Aug 10, 2011
    83
    The moments of beautiful brutality help clear the mick occasionally built up by the punishing slogs through the grind-and-growl swamps. [5 Aug 2011, p.75]
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  3. Kerrang!
    Aug 9, 2011
    80
    It's extreme in a way that corpse-painted clowns will never understand--but as an expression of raw, wounded humanity, it stands as Dir en Grey's most captivating, compelling and soulful release to date. [30 Jul 2011, p.50]
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  5. PopMatters
    Sep 8, 2011
    90
    Dir En Grey is one intense metal asylum patient paddling a brand of hair-raising sonic art packed so full of diversity and avant-garde goodness that they keep you coming back for more.
  6. Rock Sound
    Aug 9, 2011
    80
    It's far from easy listening but it's an approach that's won them legions of devoted fans in the process and comes close to reducing many of their peers to nothing more than musical footnotes in the larger scheme of things.

User Reviews

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User Score
8.3

Universal acclaim- based on 17 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 15 out of 17
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 17
  3. Negative: 2 out of 17
  1. psank11
    Sep 2, 2011
    9
    Dir en Grey returns with Dum Spiro Spero, their heaviest record to date and follow up to the highly praised masterpiece Uroboros . Firstly, IDir en Grey returns with Dum Spiro Spero, their heaviest record to date and follow up to the highly praised masterpiece Uroboros . Firstly, I will begin by saying that a criticism I have of older Dir en Grey records is how poorly mixed they have been. I say this because the opposite instantly jumped out at me when I began listening to this record. In fact, the mix is so good I would venture to say that it is one of the best if not the best mixes I have ever heard in an album. Every instrument fits perfectly into its place and is easily heard without having to fight for prominence with the other instruments. At first listen I found myself completely absorbed in the dense and menacing, yet orchestral and even melodic atmosphere created by this 14 track epic. This album's instrumentation is very intricate which will make it a difficult listen for many people's ears, but those that take the time to experience this album will be impressed by the album's dynamics and maturity that are sadly lacking in many of today's metal bands. This album is a must have in any hard rock fan's collection.… Full Review »
  2. 1xcandiekidx1
    Aug 31, 2011
    10
    For those fans of Dir en Grey who enjoyed their earlier sound in such albums as "Gauze" and "Macabre" I believe that "Dum Spiro Spero" willFor those fans of Dir en Grey who enjoyed their earlier sound in such albums as "Gauze" and "Macabre" I believe that "Dum Spiro Spero" will find a home within your music collection. This album once again finds Kyo going back to his heavier vocal roots with long screams, and high pitch squeals. This sound seems to be something which he has been lacking in previous album "The Marrow of A Bone" and except for a few songs "Withering To Death". I do not believe you will be disappointed with this album if you can afford the small price of $13.99, which many stores were offering it for.

    ***Personal Note***

    As a fan of albums such as "Gauze", "Macabre" and "Vulgar" myself I was very pleased with this album. The vocals were right on par. The brutal guitar riffs kept my eardrums in want for more. While the overall sound of this album made me long for the days of the bands youth in which they still took part in visual kei...we can only hope.


    Go get the album, and be sure to catch them on tour with The Birthday Massacre this Winter!    … Full Review »
  3. arostislavna
    Jun 7, 2020
    8
    While UROBOROS was a mind-blowing shift in sound, and featured the masterpiece "Vinushka" DUM SPIRO SPERO is more cohesive in direction, butWhile UROBOROS was a mind-blowing shift in sound, and featured the masterpiece "Vinushka" DUM SPIRO SPERO is more cohesive in direction, but lacks the initial shock that UROBOROS had.… Full Review »
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