X Japan

Infobox musical artist
Name = X Japan


Img_capt =
Img_size =
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Background = group_or_band
Origin = Chiba, Japan
Genre = Heavy metal, glam metal, speed metal, symphonic metal, power metal, progressive metal
Years_active = 1982–1997
2007–present
Label = Extasy, Sony, Atlantic
Associated_acts = Globe, Loudness, RAIN, Skin, Zilch
URL = [http://www.xjapan.ne.jp www.xjapan.ne.jp]
Current_members = Toshi
Pata
Heath
Yoshiki
Past_members = Taiji
Hidenihongo|X Japan|エックス ジャパン|Ekkusu Japan is a Japanese band founded in 1982 by Toshimitsu "Toshi" Deyama and Yoshiki Hayashi.cite web
last = Seida
first = Linda
title = X Japan biography at the All Music Guide
work = allmusic.com
url = http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=11:ulf1zfooeh5k~T10
accessdate = 2007-08-06] Originally named X (nihongo2|エックス), the group achieved its breakthrough success in 1989 with the release of their second album "Blue Blood". They started out as a power/speed metal band and later gravitated towards a progressive sound, at all times retaining an emphasis on ballads. After three more albums, X Japan disbanded in 1997.

Besides being one of the first Japanese acts to achieve mainstream success while on an independent label,cite book
last = Yang
first = Jeff
coauthors = Can, Dina; Hong, Terry
title = Eastern Standard Time
publisher = Houghton Mifflin
date = 1997
location = Boston
pages = p. 264
isbn = 0-395-76341-X] the group is widely credited for pioneering the visual kei movement,cite web
last = Strauss
first = Neil
title = The Pop Life: End of a Life, End of an Era
work = nytimes.com
date = 1998-06-18
url = http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9D00EFD7103DF93BA25755C0A96E958260&sec=&spon=&pagewanted=all
accessdate = 2007-08-06] cite web
last = Minnie
first = Chi
title = "X Japan Best" review
work = asiaarts.ucla.edu
url = http://www.asiaarts.ucla.edu/article.asp?parentid=7936
accessdate = 2007-09-10] though most of the group's members toned down their on-stage attire in later years.See the "On the Verge of Destruction" and "The Last Live Video" releases for comparison.] As of 2007, the band has sold over twenty million records and over two million home videos.cite web
title = X Japan unveils "I.V." in "Saw IV," bringing emotional catharsis to end tittles
work = saw4soundtrack.com
date = 2007-10-19
url = http://www.saw4soundtrack.com/XJapan/XJapanSAW4_PressRelease.pdf
accessdate = 2007-10-28]

On 4 June 2007 it was announced the band would reunitecite web
title = X Japan Reunites for New Single, Tour
work = blabbermouth.net
date = 2007-06-04
url = http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=73874
accessdate = 2007-08-06] with a new song released via digital download in January 2008cite web
title = X Japan New Releases
work = jrockrevolution.com
url = http://www.jrockrevolution.com/index.php/news/article/x_japan_new_releases/jrock_news
accessdate = 2008-04-19] and live performances scheduled for March and May.cite web
title = X Japan Announce Concert Details
work = japan-zone.com
url = http://www.japan-zone.com/news/2008/01/21/x_japan_announce_concert_details.shtml
accessdate = 2008-01-21]

History

1982–1992: X

X was founded in 1982 while vocalist Toshi and drummer Yoshiki were attending high school together. The band began to actively perform live in the Tokyo area in 1985, its lineup at that time being completed by a number of changing support musicians. A first single, titled "I'll Kill You" was released on Dada Records in June and in November of the same year, the group contributed the song "Break the Darkness" to the samplers "Heavy Metal Force III".cite web
title = Early band history
work = jrockrevolution.com
url = http://www.jrockrevolution.com/index.php/webzine/article/indies_explosion/features
accessdate = 2008-04-19] cite web
title = List of Japanese heavy metal samplers
work = japanesemetal.gooside.com
url = http://japanesemetal.gooside.com/index_page/collection/collection_4_va_omnibus.htm
accessdate = 2007-08-06]

To ensure a continuous outlet for the band's publications, Yoshiki founded the independent label Extasy Records in the following year on which a second single, "Orgasm", was released.cite web
title = Extasy Records company profile
work = extasyrecords.co.jp/eng
url = http://www.extasyrecords.co.jp/eng/company.html
accessdate = 2007-08-06] The songs "Stab Me in the Back" and "No Connexion", recorded for the 1987 Victor Records sampler "Skull Thrash Zone Volume I" mark the group's first material featuring Tomoaki "Pata" Ishizuka as a support guitar player. He formally joined the group later that year. Likewise, guitarist Hideto "Hide" Matsumoto and bassist Taiji Sawada both briefly performed with X on separate occasions before completing the group's first steady lineup.

On 26 December 1987, the band participated in an audition held by CBS Sony which would lead to a recording contract with the label signed in August of the following year. In the meantime, the band released its first album, "Vanishing Vision" through Extasy Records on 14 April 1988 and toured extensively in support of the record. The band also appeared in a cameo in the film "Tokyo Pop", starring Carrie Hamilton and Diamond Yukai.

X's second album "Blue Blood" was released on 21 April 1989 and spawned several singles, such as "Kurenai" and "Endless Rain", as well as the group's first home video release, a VHS titled "Blue Blood Tour Bakuhatsu Sunzen Gig", containing one of the concerts of the subsequent tour. Recordings for the follow-up album "Jealousy" took place in Los Angeles."Jealousy" liner notes, 1991.] It was released on 1 July 1991 and followed by the band's first performance in Japan's largest indoor concert venue, the Tokyo Dome.cite web
title = Concerts at the Tokyo Dome, 1991–1993
work = tokyo-dome.co.jp
language = Japanese
url = http://www.tokyo-dome.co.jp/dome/concerts/1991_1993.htm
accessdate = 2008-04-22cite web
title = Concerts at the Tokyo Dome, 1994–1996
work = tokyo-dome.co.jp
language = Japanese
url = http://www.tokyo-dome.co.jp/dome/concerts/1994_1996.htm
accessdate = 2008-04-22cite web
title = Concerts at the Tokyo Dome, 1997–1999
work = tokyo-dome.co.jp
language = Japanese
url = http://www.tokyo-dome.co.jp/dome/concerts/1997_1999.htm
accessdate = 2008-04-22] Footage from most of the band's numerous shows in that stadium would later be released on CD and VHS/DVD.For example the "On the Verge of Destruction" live album and video, the compilation album "Live Live Live Tokyo Dome 1993-1996" and the "Aoi Yoru"/"Shiroi Yoru" DVD sets.]

By 1992 the band's success in Japan made an international breakthrough appear likely enough to warrant the renaming to "X Japan", in order to distinguish the group from the United States punk band X. Around the same time Taiji left the group and was replaced by Hiroshi "Heath" Morie.cite web
title = Band biography
work = jrockrevolution.com
url = http://www.jrockrevolution.com/index.php/webzine/exclusive/the_jrock_legend_x_japan/
accessdate = 2008-04-19] Taiji went on to work with Loudness and Cloud Nine.

1993–1997: X Japan

For the release of its next album, X Japan left Sony and signed a deal with Atlantic Records. "Art of Life" was released on 28 August 1993, notable for containing only the 29 minutes long title track, which would only be performed three times for a live audience.cite web
title = "X Japan Returns Complete Edition" release information
work = cdjapan.co.jp
url = http://www.cdjapan.co.jp/detailview.html?KEY=UPCH-1139
accessdate = 2008-02-23] Another studio album was not released until 4 November 1996, though "Dahlia" contained relatively little new material, given that singles included on the record had been coming out as early as a few months after "Art of Life". Around that time, the group dropped most of its original visual kei aesthetics in favor of a more casual look. "Dahlia" would be the band's last major release, since vocalist Toshi had decided to leave the group,cite web
title = Interview with Toshi
work = iyashi-no-concert.com
url = http://www.iyashi-no-concert.com/interview.html
accessdate = 2007-08-06] a subsequent dissolution being officially announced in September 1997. X Japan performed their farewell show at the Tokyo Dome on 31 December, making it the last of five consecutive New Year's Eves the group performed in that stadium.

Much has been made of Toshi's departure, including allegations of him joining a cult and being influenced by it. Toshi has since refuted such claims, stating that his decision to leave X Japan dated back as far as April 1996, more than a year before he met the organization's leader, Masaya and that the glamorous, success-oriented life of a rock star failed to satisfy him emotionally, as opposed to a simpler life and career.

olo projects

While reissues, compilations and live footage continued to be released,cite web
title = X Japan releases
work = cdjapan.co.jp
url = http://www.cdjapan.co.jp/list_from_code_banner.html?key=26180
accessdate = 2007-08-06] the members of X Japan pursued various other projects: Hide, who had been releasing solo albums since 1994's "Hide Your Face", continued his solo career as Hide with Spread Beaver, now formally including his previous live band and with a sound distinctively different from X Japan's music, leaning more towards alternative rock. But the new group did not last long, due to Hide's death in May 1998.cite web
last = Strauss
first = Neil
title = The Pop Life: End of a Life, End of an Era
work = nytimes.com
date = 1998-06-18
url = http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9D00EFD7103DF93BA25755C0A96E958260&sec=&spon=&pagewanted=all
accessdate = 2007-08-06]

Toshi has released several solo albums, along with numerous acoustic performances for smaller audiences. According to his website, his Utatabi Traveling Concert tour has included over 3.000 concerts, between 1999 and 2003.cite web
title = Toshi Official Website - CD Online Shop
work = iyashi-no-concert.com
url = http://www.iyashi-no-concert.com/cd_order.html
accessdate = 2007-09-29]

Pata and Heath, along with Spread Beaver percussionist/programmer I.N.A., founded Dope Headz in 2001 which released two albums but then ceased activity. The trio also provided a track for the Hide tribute album "Tribute Spirits".cite web
title = "Tribute Spirits" release information
work = hide-city.com
url = http://www.hide-city.com/free/discography/al_PCCM-00002.html
language = Japanese
accessdate = 2007-08-06] Heath is currently pursuing a solo career and Pata is a member of RAIN (Rock and Inspiration).

Before the X Japan breakup, Yoshiki had already independently collaborated with Queen drummer Roger Taylor on the single "Foreign Sand"cite web
title = "Foreign Sand" release information
work = queenpicturehall.com
url = http://www.queenpicturehall.com/singles/r07fs.shtml
accessdate = 2007-08-06] and provided the Japanese contribution to the international Kiss tribute album "", an orchestral arrangement of the song "Black Diamond".cite web
title = "Kiss My Ass" release information
work = kissfaq.com
url = http://www.kissfaq.com/discography/kma.html
accessdate = 2007-08-06] A compilation with orchestral treatments of X Japan songs, titled "Eternal Melody" was also released. It was performed by the London Philharmonic Orchestra and among others featured The Beatles producer George Martin as an arranger.cite web
title = "Eternal Melody" release information
work = cdjapan.co.jp
url = http://www.cdjapan.co.jp/detailview.html?KEY=UPCH-1139
accessdate = 2007-08-06]

Since 1998 Yoshiki has engaged in numerous activities, such as being briefly a member of the pop band Globe,cite web
title = Globe profile
work = avexnet.or.jp
url = http://www.avexnet.or.jp/globe/profile.html
language = Japanese
accessdate = 2007-08-06] producing singles for the Korean rock band TRAXcite web
title = "Scorpio" release information
work = cdjapan.co.jp
url = http://www.cdjapan.co.jp/detailview.html?KEY=AVCD-30639
accessdate = 2007-08-06cite web
title = "Rhapsody" release information
work = cdjapan.co.jp
url = http://www.cdjapan.co.jp/detailview.html?KEY=AVCD-30719
accessdate = 2007-08-06] and working on his solo project Violet UK, which as of 2007 has not yet published a major release. He has also contributed music to the movie "Catacombs" and will be producing the soundtrack of "Repo! The Genetic Opera".cite web
title = あのYOSHIKIが、パリス・ヒルトン次回作のプロデューサーに！
work = cinematoday.jp
url = http://cinematoday.jp/page/N0011506
language = Japanese
accessdate = 2007-10-31] On 25 May 2007, the formation of the supergroup Skin was announced, which besides Yoshiki consists of pop/rock artists Gackt and Miyavi, as well as former Luna Sea guitarist Sugizo. The band gave its debut at the Anime Expo convention in Long Beach, California on 29 June 2007.cite web
title = Anime Expo 2007 announcement of Skin
work = anime-expo.org
url = http://www.anime-expo.org/?q=story/anime_expo_2007_announces_j_rock_concert_of_the_century
accessdate = 2007-08-06]

ince 2007: Reunion

In March 2007 Toshi announced on his website that he and Yoshiki had recently resumed working together, stating that a "new project" would commence soon.cite web
title = "New Project" announcement
work = iyashi-no-concert.com
url = http://www.iyashi-no-concert.com/new_project_e.html
accessdate = 2007-08-06] An X Japan reunion was officially confirmed on 4 June 2007, with Yoshiki announcing a tour, as well as a new single (a re-recording of the song "Without You", originally from Yoshiki's 2005 solo album "Eternal Melody II") to be underway and that he was in talks with Heath and Pata regarding their participation.

The band made its first public appearance on 22 October 2007, on the rooftop of the shopping center Aqua City in Odaiba, Tokyo, during which a music video for the newly recorded song "I.V." was filmed. "I.V." also appears on the soundtrack of the movie "Saw 4". It is written by Yoshiki and recorded with all living X Japan members of the pre-breakup lineup. Previously unreleased guitar tracks by Hide were used for the lead guitar part.cite web
title = X Japan to film PV on Aqua City rooftop
work = tokyograph.com
url = http://www.tokyograph.com/news/id-1917
accessdate = 2007-10-18] cite web
title = Official announcement of Aqua City performance
work = xjapan.ne.jp
url = http://www.xjapan.ne.jp/new_c/xjapan.jpg
language = Japanese
accessdate = 2007-10-19] "I.V." was released through the iTunes on 23 January 2008, topping the store's daily charts on that day.cite web
title = Fortus to Play with X Japan
work = blabbermouth.net
url = http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=93306
accessdate = 2008-03-20] It is also set to be included in an upcoming greatest hits compilation, along with the previously announced "Without You". When asked whether there would be further new material Yoshiki gave it a "fifty-fifty" chance.cite web
title = nihongo2|Ｘ　ＪＡＰＡＮ、３月に１０年ぶりライブ　解散後初！４人そろってファンの前に
work = chunichi.co.jp
url = http://www.chunichi.co.jp/chuspo/article/entertainment/news/CK2008012102081032.html
language = Japanese
accessdate = 2008-01-21] cite web
title = X JapanMySpace Interview by JRR
work = jrockrevolution.com
url = http://www.jrockrevolution.com/index.php/webzine/article/x_japan_myspace_interview_by_jrr/interviews
accessdate = 2008-04-19] Regarding the vacant lead guitar part it was initially stated in June 2007 that about ten guitarists were to fill in for the late Hide during concerts, yet no names were mentioned. Yoshiki was later quoted that a guitarist not from Japan and/or a "new face" may be performing with the band.cite web
title = Yoshiki discusses rehearsals, guitarists
work = nikkansports.com
url = http://www.nikkansports.com/entertainment/news/p-et-tp0-20080313-334730.html
language = Japanese
accessdate = 2008-03-13]

On 20 January 2008 two Tokyo Dome concert dates were announced, 28 March and 30 March respectively. A third show, scheduled for 29 March, was later added to accommodate demand.cite web
title = X Japan adds third date to Tokyo Dome reunion concerts
work = tokyograph.com
url = http://www.tokyograph.com/news/id-2544
accessdate = 2008-02-23] The 28 March concert aired live on the pay television channel WOWOW, with a DVD release set to follow,cite web
title = X Japan Special
work = wowow.co.jp
url = http://www.wowow.co.jp/music/xjapan/special.html
language = Japanese
accessdate = 2008-03-12] guitarists performing with X Japan during these three concerts were Wes Borland of Black Light Burns, Richard Fortus of Guns N' Roses and Sugizo,cite web
title = Sugizo to Fill In for Hide at X Japan Concerts
work = tokyograph.com
url = http://www.tokyograph.com/news/id-2834
accessdate = 2008-03-26] in addition to the use of old live footage of Hide.cite web
title = X Japan Announces Paris Show in July
work = tokyograph.com
url = http://www.tokyograph.com/news/id-2866
accessdate = 2008-03-30] Citation
title = Live broadcast of the 28 March 2008 Tokyo Dome concert
publisher = WOWOW
date = 2008-03-28] Fortus and fellow Guns N' Roses member Robin Finck had previously covered "Endless Rain" as a guitar duet during the Japanese shows of their band's 2007 tour. Borland later commented on his blog that he felt "honored to have been part of the experience".cite web
title = X Japan: Pro-Shot Footage from Reunion Concerts Posted Online
work = blabbermouth.net
url = http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=93928
accessdate = 2008-04-01]

Due to technical difficulties the first concert was delayed for over two hours and later came to an abrupt end when drummer Yoshiki collapsed eight songs into the performance. The subsequent shows were without such difficulties and during a press conference, plans for a concert in Paris, France on 5 July 2008 were announced, with an intended audience of 20,000 people. X Japan also performed at the Hide Memorial Summit, a two-day tribute concert that was held on 3 May and 4 May at the Ajinomoto Stadium and featured about twenty artists, including Dir en grey, Luna Sea and T.M. Revolution.cite web
title = Hide Memorial Summit Confirmed for May
work = tokyograph.com
url = http://www.tokyograph.com/news/id-2810
accessdate = 2008-03-25] It closed with a performance of the song "X" by members of X Japan, Luna Sea, Mucc, D'espairsRay and solo artist Takanori Nishikawa.Citation
title = Live broadcast of the Hide Memorial Summit
publisher = WOWOW
date = 2008-05-04]

In addition to the Paris date, plans for concerts at the Madison Square Garden, New York City on 13 September, and at the Taipei World Trade Center, Taipei on 2 August were also confirmed.cite web
title = X Japan to Play NYC's Madison Square Garden This Fall
work = animenewsnetwork.com
url = http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2008-04-03/x-japan-to-play-nyc-madison-square-garden-this-fall
accessdate = 2008-04-03] cite web
title = X Japan Announces Taiwan Concert
work = tokyograph.com
url = http://www.tokyograph.com/news/id-3116
accessdate = 2008-05-05] On 8 June it was reported that all previously scheduled shows have been postponed until further notice, due to Yoshiki suffering a relapse of a previous disc herniation and a worsening tendinitis.cite web
title = X Japan officially confirms that concerts are postponed
work = tokyograph.com
url = http://www.tokyograph.com/news/id-3394
accessdate = 2008-06-09] cite web
title = X Japan's Tour Postponement Explained
work = blabbermouth.net
url = http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=98863
accessdate = 2008-06-17] The Paris and Taipei concerts have since been rescheduled and they're set to take place at the Palais Omnisports de Paris-Bercy in Paris, France on 22 November, 2008cite web
title = X Japan reschedules Paris show for November
work = tokyograph.com
url = http://www.tokyograph.com/news/id-3490
accessdate = 2008-07-14] and at the Taipei World Trade Center in Taipei, Taiwan on 14 February, 2009.Fact|date=September 2008

On 15 September, 2008, Yoshiki held a press conference in Tokyo, at which he announced a new, currently unnamed X Japan song to be in the works, that the band would be featured in the Japanese version of the upcoming music video game "Rock Band 2" and that it would be performing two concerts on Christmas and New Year's Eve, respectively.cite web
title = X Japan Announces New Year's Eve, Christmas Performances
work = Blabbermouth.net
date = 2008-09-16
url = http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=104822
accessdate = 2008-09-19] cite web
title = Yoshiki Announces End-of-Year Live for X Japan, New Track
work = jrockrevolution.com
url = http://jrockrevolution.com/news/jrock-news/607-yoshiki-announces-end-of-year-live-for-x-japan-new-track.html
accessdate = 2008-09-16] Unlike the band's previous 31 December dates, the latter concert is not expected to take place at the Tokyo Dome, as the band News is currently scheduled to play at the venue on that particular date.cite web
title = Tokyo Dome 2008 Events Calendar
work = tokyo-dome.co.jp
url = http://www.tokyo-dome.co.jp/cgi-bin/schedule/User/dome/schedule-english.cgi?year=2008&month=12
accessdate = 2008-09-20] After the conference and facing a short delay due to unsuitable weather for travelling Yoshiki went on a promotional tour across Asia to finalize dates for concerts in Hong Kong on January 17, Thailand on January 31, Taiwan on February 14 and South Korea on March 21. Yoshiki while also remarked on the possibility of further concerts in mainland China, Germany and United States, a potential venue for the first of aforementioned concerts was named as the Beijing National Stadium having recently served as host to the 2008 Summer Olympics.cite web
title = Yoshiki discusses X Japan plans
work = tokyograph.com
url = http://www.tokyograph.com/news/id-3793
accessdate = 2008-09-19]

Musical style

listeninbrowser
filename = X_kurenai.ogg
title = "Kurenai"
description = A fast song from the album "Blue Blood".listeninbrowser
filename = X_tears.ogg
title = "Tears"
description = A ballad from the album "Dahlia".

X Japan's music developed in the wake of the success of American and British glam and heavy metal bands and is characterized by hard-driving speed and thrash compositions (e.g. "Kurenai", "Silent Jealousy"), as well as emotional ballads (e.g. "Endless Rain", "Forever Love"). Many of the group's songs make heavy use of piano-driven, orchestrated passages, particularly longer tracks such as the ten and a half minute "Tears" and the twenty-nine minute "Art of Life".

During live performances the band relies, for the most part, solely on its members (with drummer and pianist Yoshiki switching between instruments) and prerecorded tracks, e.g. for orchestral strings, spoken word passages, and more recently, most of Hide's guitar parts.

Members

As with numerous other Japanese bands, the members of X Japan are usually credited with their given or stage names.
* – vocals
* Tomoaki "Pata" Ishizuka (nihongo2|石塚智昭 "Ishizuka Tomoaki") – guitar
* Hiroshi "Heath" Morie (nihongo2|森江博 "Morie Hiroshi") – bass (since 1992)
* Yoshiki Hayashi (nihongo2|林佳樹 "Hayashi Yoshiki") – drums and piano

;Former members
* Taiji Sawada (沢田泰司 "Sawada Taiji") – bass (until 1992)
* Hideto "Hide" Matsumoto (松本秀人 "Matsumoto Hideto") – guitar (until 1997)

Discography

Further reading

* "Uchuu o Kakeru Tomo E: Densetsu no Bando X no Sei to Shi" (宇宙を翔ける友へ: 伝說のバンド X の生と死) by Taiji Sawada, Tokuma Shoten, 2000, ISBN 978-4198611743
* "Hide Days", by Takarajimasha, 2003, ISBN 4796627464

References

External links

* [http://www.xjapan.ne.jp/ Official X Japan website] jp icon
** [http://www.xjapan.co.uk/ English mirror]
** [http://www.xjapan-france.com/ French mirror] fr icon
** [http://www.xjapan.kr/ Korean mirror] ko icon
** [http://www.xjapan.com.tw/ Taiwanese mirror] zh icon
** [http://www.xjapan.in.th/ Thai mirror] th icon
*
* [http://www.extasyrecords.co.jp/ Extasy Records]