Uroboros is the seventh studio album
by Japanese rock band Dir en grey. It was released on November 11, 2008 in the United States by The End Records,
followed on November 12 by a Japan release through Firewall and European releases by Gan-Shin. The album is
named after the Ouroboros symbol, which is a dragon or snake figure depicted in full circle consuming itself. This represents
continuity and the cycle of power, emphasizing the theme of reincarnation, an idea propagated heavily by the band during promotion.
The album art, designed by the band's long-time artist Koji Yoda, was conceived with inspiration from King Crimson's 1970 album Lizard.The band recorded with many new instruments, including mandolin, congas, electric sitar, and biwa to create a unique sound, and vocalist Kyo sets emphasis on "non-screaming vocals," accentuating softer composition. For the album, Kaoru and Die utilized several guitar models and techniques; an unconventional method, some of the guitars were recorded directly from amps.
Uroboros is "stuffed with themes of 'guilt and reincarnation' as well as 'the past, present and future of Dir en grey,'" as guitarist Kaoru
stated in a press release. This was later echoed in CDJapan's album overview, calling the album "a sort of return for the band, revisiting
the pre-Withering to Death. era." Kaoru also included that the album would again be a progression into "heavier and darker" sounds than
prior albums, as well as an "oriental and religious mood."
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