Uroboros is the seventh studio album by Japanese experimental metal band DIR EN GREY. It was released on November 11, 2008 in the United States by The End Records and, due to the time difference, November 12, 2008 in Japan through Firewall Div. and European releases by Gan-Shin Records. 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. 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." Correct track listing (note that all English lettering is rendered in all caps in the album booklet; also note that some American/European releases have all Japanese song titles in romaji rather than in kanji/katakana; however, no known release combines romaji and kanji/katakana as in last.fm's version): 1. SA BIR - 2:00 2. VI