X Japan (Originally called X) was a Japanese visual kei band, was led by Yoshiki (Yoshiki Hayashi). Their sound started as Japanese rock speed metal, and later gravitated towards psych. progressive rock, but always retained a huge emphasis on beautiful ballads. X became one of the first Japanese bands to embrace the western culture and lead the Japanese youth away from old traditions. Throughout there 17 years together, they have become the most influential band in Japanese history.
Plans for the band started in 1976, when its original members,
Toshi (Toshimitsu Deyama) and
Yoshiki were only 12. Initially they were simply named X. They dreamed of becoming the best band in the world and model themselves after KISS. Throughout the early 80’s many people came and left X. In 1985 they were ready to record their first single, with the two songs “I’ll Kill You” and “Orgasm”. Unfortunately for the band, no record labels would sign the band because of their transgressive way of dressing and performing.
Yoshiki did not give up hope though, he sold his mother’s business and opened Extasy records. With Extasy, X was finally ready to record their first album, “Vanishing Vision” in 1987. At this point X consisted of: Yoshiki (Drums, Piano), Toshi (Vocals), Taiji (Bass), Hide (Guitar, and Pata (Guitar). Vanishing Vision consisted of many speed metal songs and the first half of the ballad “Unfinished”.
For some reason, Orgasm was not on the album. After finishing Vanishing Vision, X released their second album, “Blue Blood” in 1989, which is by far their most successful album. It contained speed metal songs like “Blue Blood”, “Orgasm” and “X”; rock songs like “Weekend” and “Celebration”; and two ballads, a finished “Unfinished” and “Endless Rain”. It also contained the unique song “Rose of Pain”, an 11 minute rock symphony. Blue Blood made X famous throughout Japan. “Endless Rain” became a hit and was X’s key to success. Although many people didn’t like X’s harder metal songs, they enjoyed their beautiful ballads and rock songs. That year, X was voted best new band of the year in Japan. After finishing the “Rose and Blood Tour”, X returned to the recording studio and finished their third album, “Jealousy” in 1991.
“Jealousy” was a success and contained the orchestrated rock song “Silent Jealousy”, which is considered to be one of their best songs. It also had the acoustical ballad “Voiceless Screaming”, and the hit ballad “Say Anything”. After releasing “Jealousy”, X became one of the most popular bands in Japan. Yoshiki decided to focus on selling albums in America. Since in America, there was already an “X” (L.A. punk band), they decided to change their name to “X Japan”. After this, a feud between Taiji and Yoshiki caused Taiji to leave the band.
Taiji later joined Loudness and Cloud 9. Taiji was replaced by Heath. As the newest member of the band, Heath experienced a period of awkwardness with his new band mates, as well as with the group's fans, who felt his musicianship was weaker than his predecessor's, and that his subdued style of dress did not fit in with X Japan's flamboyant sense of fashion. In 1993, X performed Yoshiki’s epic song “The Art Of Life”. This 34 minute song displayed Yoshiki’s amazing piano and drumming abilities and his poet lyric writing skills. “The Art of Life” became known as one of the greatest composers of all time. “The Art of Life” was not released in America, even though the lyrics were entirely in English, but because Toshi’s accent was strong and his English was hard to understand.
In 1996, X released their 4th album, “Dahlia”. “Dahlia” showed that X had changed since their earlier years. The songs were more psych. rock than metal, but were more complex and mature. Almost ever song on this album was a #1 hit. It featured the hit rock songs “Dahlia”, “Scars” and “Rusty Nail”. This album also featured some of the bands best ballads, all four which became #1 hits. The best of these 4 was “Tears”, a song Yoshiki wrote to his father who committed suicide when he was 10. It was his father’s death that led him into a career in music. After releasing Dahlia, they went on the Dahlia tour, which is considered to be one of their best tours. Many of their shows were released on DVD. After the Tour, Yoshiki told Toshi that he had great plans for X in the future. Unfortunately, this is when everything for X ended. In May 1997 Toshi announced he was leaving the band, which led to its dissolution in September 1997.
Toshi joined a cult, related to nature and music therapy, led by a man named Masaya. Many say that this cult influenced Toshi's departure from the band. He later continued his solo career, saying that his friend Masaya was an inspiration for his new compositions. There are many rumors surrounding the cult and Toshi's involvement in it. Some even say Toshi was brainwashed. It is said that Toshi sued his brother for libel because he tried to convince Toshi not to spend money on Masaya's cult. Toshi did agree for X to perform one last concert, “The Last Live”. Toshi also helped Yoshiki write their finally song, “The Last Song”. On December 31, 1997, X performed for the last time. Fans filled the Tokyo Dome to watch X play for the last time. The concert was also shown live on T.V. The band’s finally song was “The Last Song”. After the song finished, a slideshow of a clips throughout X’s career was shown with “Tears” playing in the background. X ended their career with: “I will try to live with love,… with dreams,… and forever with tears” (Yoshiki, “Tears”)
The band split up and took different paths. Hide had a successful solo career. In 1998 there was a rumor that X was going to reform in 200 with a new singer. Unfortunately, no one would have ever known if this would have happened. On May 2, 1998 Hide committed suicide after a long night of drinking. Japan was shocked by Hide’s death, and many fans fainted. Some fans even tried to commit suicide. Hide’s death ruined the bands plans of reuniting. Toshi, Yoshiki, Pata and Heath all played “Forever Love” at Hide’s funeral. Yoshiki started a new band called Violet UK, Pata and Heath formed a band called Ra:in.
