Fresh off a 12-date run in Europe, Japanese rock band Dir En Grey is set to tour North and South America by year’s end. The headlining tour, with supporting bands 10 Years and The Birthday Massacre, will support their album Dum Spiro Spero.

The album and its single “Different Sense” are currently charting at #1 on the Metal Specialty charts five weeks after its release.

The album was influenced by the earthquake that hit Japan six months ago. They said:

“In our personal experience of the earthquake and its aftermath, one thing that really hit home is the reality that you can die at any time without knowing it. We don’t know what is waiting for us as we move forward, but as long as we are alive we want to take on this tour with a sense of determination.”

Dir En Grey Tour Dates:
With 10 Years
11/23/2011 – Tetro Caupolican – Santiago, Chile
11/25/2011 – Lima, Peru – Centro de Convenciones Scencia
11/27/2011 – Espaco, Lux – Sao Bernardo do Campo, Brazil
11/29/2011 – Buenos Aires, Argentina – Teatro, Flores
12/2/2011 – Mexico City, Mexico – Circo Volador

With The Birthday Massacre
12/4/2011 – Houston, TX – House of Blues
12/5/2011 – Dallas, TX – Trees
12/7/2011 – Atlanta, GA – Center Stage
12/9/2011 – Philadelphia, PA – The Theatre of Living Arts
12/10/2011 – Baltimore, MD – Sonar
12/12/2011 – New York, NY – Irving Plaza
12/13/2011 – Boston, MA – Paradise Rock Club
12/15/2011 – Montreal, CAN – Club Soda
12/16/2011 – Toronto, CAN – The Phoenix Concert Theatre
12/18/2011 – Chicago, IL – House of Blues
12/20/2011 – Denver, CO – Bluebird Theatre
12/22/2011 – San Francisco, CA – Grand Ballroom at Regency Center
12/23/2011 – Los Angeles, CA – House of Blues Sunset Strip