X Japan | Artist
X Japan is a Japanese rock band formed 1982 in Chiba by drummer and pianist Yoshiki and lead vocalist Toshi. Starting as a predominantly power/speed metal band with heavy symphonic elements, they later gravitated towards a progressive sound with an emphasis on ballads. One of only a handful of truly seminal Japanese bands, X Japan have grow to become national heroes. They revolutionised Japanese pop-culture by kick-starting the Visual Kei movement, shifting the predominant focus of Teen-pop on a more rock music course. It could be said that they were Japan's answer to The Beatles, David Bowie and Led Zeppelin. Under their original name "X" they released their debut album Vanishing Vision in 1988 on Yoshiki's own Extasy Records, with an extended line-up including bassist Taiji, lead guitarist Hide and rhythm guitarist Pata. They achieved breakthrough success the following year with the release of their excellent second album Blue Blood. Following 1991's Jealousy, Taiji left the band and was replaced by Heath. The group also changed their name to "X Japan" to avoid confusion with similarly named bands in the USA and Australia. The band has released five studio albums, six live albums, and 21 singles. Standouts incude Blue Blood (1989), Art of Life (1993), Dahlia (1996), The Last Live (2001), and the 1993 collection X Singles. In 2003 X Japan was ranked at number 40 on a list of the 100 most important Japanese pop acts. In 2007, Rolling Stone Japan ranked Blue Blood number 15 on its list of the 100 Greatest Japanese Rock Albums of All Time, and in 2017 Loudwire named them the Best Metal Band from Japan. It has been reported that they have sold over 30 million records. Founding member Toshi began an extensive solo career in 1992 before leaving the band at the end of 1997. Toshi laments he was "brainwashed" by a group called Home of Heart, whose leader would control his musical output for the next 12 years. Gene Simmons of Kiss, a great admirer of the band, once claimed that "if X Japan were born in America or England and sang in English, they might be the biggest band in the world". Due to their various misfortunes with the suicide of band members, Toshi's brainwashing and lack of overseas success, X Japan has been described in The Times newspaper as "The world's unluckiest band."
Artist Website: discogs.com/X-Japan
Featured Albums: X Japan
Related Artists: Toshi, Sugizo, Luna Sea
