X Japan (エックス ジャパン Ekkusu Japan) is a Japanese heavy metal band founded in 1982 by Toshimitsu "Toshi" Deyama and Yoshiki Hayashi. Originally named X (エックス), the group achieved their 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. Their sound is extremely raw, sometimes countered by the incorporation of classical style piano passages and vocal melodies. They have well-developed percussion parts and often use harmonized guitar riffs and solos.
Besides being one of the first Japanese acts to achieve mainstream success while on an independent label, the group is widely credited as one of the pioneers of the visual kei movement. They were known in their early years for their excessively large hairstyles resembling fountains, but toned these down in later years. As of 2010, the band has sold over thirty million records and over two million home videos.
After sixteen years, four albums, and selling out the 50,000 seat Tokyo Dome 18 times, X Japan disbanded in 1997. The band did not perform or record any material for another 10 years. However, in 2007, the band reunited and performed live for the first time since their break-up. After performing concerts throughout Asia from 2007 to 2009, the band performed their first North American tour from September 25 to October 10, 2010. They also plan to release their first studio album in more than 14 years in 2011.
History
1977–1992: X
In 1977, Toshimitsu "Toshi" Deyama and Yoshiki Hayashi formed a band called Dynamite when they were just 11 years old. Dynamite changed its name to Noise in 1978, while they were still in high school. In 1982, Dynamite disbanded and Yoshiki and Toshi formed a new band, they named it X while they tried to think of another name, but the name stuck. X began to actively perform in the Tokyo area in 1985 with a frequently changing lineup. Their first single, "I'll Kill You" was released on Dada Records in June and the band contributed "Break the Darkness" to the sampler Heavy Metal Force III in November, which also featured a song by Saber Tiger. At the end of 1985 bassist Taiji Sawada (ex:Dementia) joins X and plays a few shows before leaving soon after.
To ensure a continuous outlet for the band's music, Yoshiki founded the independent label Extasy Records in April 1986, and their second single, "Orgasm", was released on it. Taiji would officially join again in November, after playing support at a few other shows. The songs "Stab Me in the Back" and "No Connexion", for the February 1987 Victor Records sampler Skull Thrash Zone Volume I, were recorded with Tomoaki "Pata" Ishizuka (ex:Judy) as a support guitar player. Soon after these recordings Hideto "hide" Matsumoto (ex:Saver Tiger) joined as guitarist. After Pata once again provided support, this time at a live show, he officially joined completing the group's first steady lineup.
On December 26, 1987, the band participated in an audition held by CBS/Sony which led to a recording contract in August of the following year. In the meantime, the band released its first album, Vanishing Vision through Extasy Records on April 14, 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 April 21, 1989 and spawned several singles, such as "Kurenai" and "Endless Rain". The group also released their first home video, a VHS of a live concert titled Blue Blood Tour Bakuhatsu Sunzen Gig. Recording for the follow-up album Jealousy took place in Los Angeles. It was released on July 1, 1991 and was followed by the band's first performance in Japan's largest indoor concert venue, the Tokyo Dome. Footage from most of the band's shows in that stadium would later be released on CD andVHS/DVD.
By 1992 the band's success in Japan made an international breakthrough appear likely enough to warrant the renaming of X to X Japan, in order to distinguish the group from the American punk band X. Around the same time bassist Taiji left the group and was replaced by Hiroshi "Heath" Morie (ex:Media Youth). Taiji went on to work with Loudness and Cloud Nine.
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