DIR EN GREY Bass Tabs Collection: Play Toshiya’s Dark Grooves
Table of Contents
Deep & Dark: The Underrated Power of Dir En Grey’s Basslines
When people talk about Dir En Grey, they usually focus on Kyo’s insane vocal range or the chaotic beauty of the band’s overall sound. And hey, fair enough — the vocals are wild, the guitars are heavy, and the whole vibe is raw emotion on full blast. But let’s hit pause for a second and dive into something a little deeper, a little lower: the bass.
Yep, we’re talking about the one and only Toshiya, the bassist of Dir En Grey — a guy who doesn’t always get the spotlight, but whose work is absolutely essential to everything the band does. His basslines aren’t just background noise. They’re part of the atmosphere. They set the mood. They hold the chaos together.
Let’s get into it.
1. Who is Toshiya?
Before we dive into his style, it’s worth talking a bit about Toshiya himself. He joined Dir En Grey back in 1997, just before the band’s debut. And from the very beginning, his image stood out — stylish, sharp, and honestly, kinda cool in that effortless, rockstar way.
But don’t let the look fool you. Toshiya’s a serious musician. He’s not just there to look good on stage (though he does). He brings a lot to the table in terms of musical structure, tone, and creativity.
He started out with more traditional J-rock vibes — melodic, almost pop-influenced at times — but as Dir En Grey evolved, so did he. His style has matured into something darker, groovier, and more experimental.
2. The Early Days: Basslines in the Visual Kei Era
Back in the late '90s and early 2000s, Dir En Grey’s music was more melodic and accessible. Albums like Macabre and Gauze still had their heavy moments, but there was a lot of room for melody — and that’s where Toshiya shined.
His basslines during this period were often melodic in their own right, almost like a third guitar. Tracks like "Cage" or "Yurameki" feature bass that's warm and clear, walking smoothly under the vocals. Toshiya would often play more lyrical lines — not just following the guitar, but dancing around it.
His tone back then? Punchy, clean, with a bit of that classic Visual Kei brightness. It gave the songs a sense of movement, a heartbeat underneath the emotional melodies.
3. Heavier Shift: The Ugly and Beautiful Merge
As Dir En Grey moved into heavier territory with albums like Kisou and Vulgar, the bass took on a grittier role. Toshiya started using more distortion, heavier plucking, and darker tonal textures. It wasn’t just about groove anymore — it was about tension.
Listen to a track like "Obscure" and pay attention to what the bass is doing. It’s not flashy. It’s effective. It adds weight to every moment. The low end grinds along with the guitars, sometimes mirroring them, sometimes pulling against them.
This is where Toshiya’s skill really comes into play. He knows when to lock in with the guitar and drums, and when to stand out just enough to give a song that uneasy, haunting feeling.
4. Experimental Years: Bass as Texture
By the time we hit albums like Uroboros, Dum Spiro Spero, and Arche, the band had entered full experimental mode — mixing metal, prog, ambient, and even some jazz-like touches.
And the bass? Oh, man. It got interesting.
Toshiya’s playing on Uroboros is especially worth highlighting. In songs like "Vinushka" or "Dozing Green", the bass doesn’t just support — it paints. There are sections where the bass is the glue holding a disjointed rhythm together. Other times, it’s whispering in the background with subtle slides and ghost notes, creating tension without even being loud.
It’s a great reminder that bass isn’t always about showing off. Sometimes, it’s about vibe.
5. Tone and Technique
Let’s nerd out a little.
Toshiya is known for switching between fingerstyle and pick playing depending on the mood of the song. His fingerstyle playing is warm and fluid, great for the more atmospheric tracks. But when he wants that percussive bite? He grabs a pick and goes hard.
He also uses a variety of basses — mostly ESP signature models — and is pretty meticulous about tone. You’ll hear everything from bright, tight mids to super dark, almost doom-metal-like lows in his tone palette.
And let’s not forget his use of effects. Delay, chorus, fuzz, and sometimes envelope filters — Toshiya doesn’t use effects as gimmicks. He uses them to build worlds.
6. Live Performances: Basslines in Action
Watching Toshiya live is something else. He doesn’t just play the bass — he performs with it. You can tell he’s totally in sync with the band, but also completely in his own zone. Sometimes he’s slapping the strings with real aggression, other times he’s sliding notes like he’s painting on canvas.
In live versions of songs like "Saku" or "The Final", you can really hear how prominent the bass becomes. It shakes the room. And because Dir En Grey’s music is so rhythmically intense, Toshiya is constantly locked in with drummer Shinya, who also deserves major props, by the way.
Together, they create a rhythm section that’s unpredictable, explosive, and weirdly elegant all at once.
7. Why the Bass in Dir En Grey Matters
So, why does all this matter?
Because in a band as chaotic and emotionally charged as Dir En Grey, the bass is the anchor. It’s what keeps things grounded while the vocals scream and the guitars spiral into madness.
Toshiya doesn’t need to shred to prove his worth. His playing is all about feel, groove, and emotional weight. And honestly, that takes more skill than just playing fast. It takes taste.
His basslines are like shadows — sometimes you don’t notice them right away, but if they were gone, the whole song would fall apart.
8. Some Must-Listen Bass Moments
If you want to really appreciate Toshiya’s style, here are a few songs to check out (preferably with good headphones):
- “Vinushka” – for ambient bass textures and shifting moods
- “Obscure” – for gritty, driving bass in sync with chaos
- “The Final” – for emotional groove and subtle power
- “Different Sense” – for technical precision and heavy dynamics
- “Dozing Green” – for mysterious tone and rhythmic feel
- “Sustain the Untruth” – for punchy, modern metal groove
- “Ranunculus” – for his more recent, mature melodic lines
Final Thoughts: The Unsung Hero of Dir En Grey
In a band full of standout musicians, Toshiya might be the most underrated. His basslines aren’t always flashy, but they are essential. They bring weight, movement, and feeling to every track. He’s the silent architect behind some of Dir En Grey’s most intense moments.
So the next time you're diving into their discography, try listening from the bottom up. Focus on the low end. Follow the groove. You’ll find a whole new layer of depth in their music — and you might just start hearing Toshiya not as the background, but as the heartbeat of Dir En Grey.
DIR EN GREY - THE FINAL
- Bass Guitar Type: 5 Strings
- Tuning: B E A D G
Get the pdf file here
DIR EN GREY - DOZING GREEN
- Bass Guitar Type: 4 Strings
- Tuning: D# G# C# F#
Get the pdf file here
DIR EN GREY - INCONVENIENT IDEAL
- Bass Guitar Type: 4 Strings
- Tuning: D# G# C# F#
Get the pdf file here
DIR EN GREY - 蛍火 (HOTARUBI)
- Bass Guitar Type: 4 Strings
- Tuning: E A D G
Get the pdf file here
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