| Arche | |
| Type: | Album |
| Artist: | Dir En Grey |
| Cover: | Dir_En_Grey_Arche_cover.jpg |
| Length: | 68:01 |
| Language: | Japanese, English |
| Label: | Firewall Div. |
| Prev Title: | The Unraveling |
| Prev Year: | 2013 |
| Next Title: | The Insulated World |
| Next Year: | 2018 |
Arche (stylized as ARCHE, Greek for "the origin") is the ninth studio album by Japanese heavy metal band Dir En Grey, released on December 10, 2014.[1] [2] It was preceded by two singles; "Rinkaku", which was released two years prior, and "Sustain the Untruth".
The contents of the album as well as the track list were added to the band's website in late September.[3] At that time, the band's guitarist Die said it would be the most achieved sound that they have ever had.[4] The album will deal with the theme of pain, as shown in a trailer narrated by Ryō Horikawa released on November 12.[5]
The title stands for "origin" in Greek. This title connotes a special meaning to the members as it encompasses every phase the band has been evolving into. Vocalist Kyo said via Dir En Grey's website : "This album is being worked on with me thinking about the past and future of myself as a vocalist, more than I have had ever before. That place where the old me and the new me crosses is what is being put into the 9th album 'ARCHE.[6] The art cover suggests this symbolism by depicting a beheaded torso of a pregnant woman from which emanates roots.[7]
| Chart (2014) | Peak position | |
|---|---|---|
| Oricon weekly chart | 4[8] | |
| Billboard Japan Top Albums | 3[9] |