Originally posted by: Harakiri
Personally, i wouldn't find J-Rock hard. It's normally quite soft, melodic, and plus the bands live on the two uppermost guitar strings. Anything based around high pitch will have trouble being considered heavy.

Also, they wouldn't be recognised as heavy music artists in the Western world, because they're so image-based. That's not what Western rock is about, traditionally. Hell, it's the opposite.

I doubt Dir En Grey will get any moshpits - i have no problem with cross-dressers - but i won't mosh to a bunch of pretty boys dressed like chicks.
NORMALLY quite soft yes. But not always.
They wouldn't be considered heavy music? Dir is about as heavy, in fact, mostly heavier than X-Japan which is considered a heavy metal band in the Western world. Dir en Grey doesn't get moshpits? Download a live video. Sounds like you didn't even hear the band to me.

Finally I've been listenening to metal since I learned to walk so I think I know what I'm talking about.