Hello everyone. Happy New Year to all.

Yes, here we are. 2011 has finally limped its way into history, and we are well quit of it.  I fervently hope that 2012 is, if not brilliant, at least less terrible than its predecessor.

2011 brought national disasters and personal difficulties and setbacks that left us feeling like punching bags.  After March 11^th Japan lived under a pall of low-level fear.  The Fukushima plant hunches over us all, a massive, unknowable threat. It’s a subtle thing, but it colours everyday life more than anyone wants to admit.  Will it be today? Will it be tomorrow? When will we find out the truth? Will it reach the point of evacuation?

And the economy continues to rattle along, like a coal train on fire.  Job changes, unemployment, and economic uncertainty continue to dog our footsteps.  Stagnant wages and unemployment, and economically and socially ruinous protests continue to rear their heads. The week before payday continues to be an uncertain proposition for so many.  We saw flashes of the horrible mix of anger, determination, and hope that leads to revolution in protests around the globe.  We saw all of those protests choked off.  It’s easy to make light of the people protesting.  Silly, nihilistic children.  One wonders how long it will be before the week before payday becomes too long, and we learn how tight the economic noose we wear really is.

However. However.

2011 saw the release of DUM SPIRO SPERO, an angry and violent prayer of hope we repeat in the dark.  The guys poured their hearts into its making, and then into its promotion.  I appreciated more than anything the unbelievably rare opportunity to take part in a signing session in Japan, the first of its kind in a decade. They gave us gifts. The music, the three signing sessions, the tour, and the unforgettable pair of ratio ducat, non fortuna lives.  If I never have a chance again, let me say here: thank you for the work you did, Dir en grey, and showing us that we are important, and that we matter to you as you do to us.

2012, what will you bring?  Will you parole us?  Will you tell us that our fears can be put to rest, and the plant is contained?  Will we find that, at the end of the month, there is finally some money left in the pocket, or will we shake off our social inertia and begin to fight for a more secure future?  Will you lift the pall, 2012, and let us breathe freely and with joy?

And finally…

We have music.  We have our fellow travelers.  Let’s walk through 2012 together, and learn what kindnesses we can share.