Genre(s):
Heavy/Progressive/Power Metal
Lyrical Theme(s):
Killing, Pain, Sadness, Love, Sex
Origin:
Japan (Tokyo)
Formed In:
1982
Status:
Active
Current line-up:
Toshimitsu "Toshi" Deyama - Vocals (1982-1997, 2007-) (Toshi)
Tomoaki "Pata" Ishizuka - Guitar (1987-1997, 2007-) (Dope Headz, Ra:IN)
Hiroshi "Heath" Morie - Bass (1992-1997, 2007-) (Paranoia (Jpn), Dope Headz, Lynx)
Yoshiki Hayashi - Drums, Piano (1982-1997, 2007-) (Yoshiki, V2, Violet UK, Globe, S.K.I.N.)
Yūne "Sugizo" Sugihara - Guitar (2008-) (Luna Sea, The Flare, S.K.I.N., Pinocchio, Kashimir)
Former/Past Member(s):
Guitars:
Yuji "Terry" Izumisawa (1982-1985)
Tomoyuki "Tomo" Ogata (1984-1985)
Hally (Yoshifumi Yoshida) (1985) (United, Dementia (Jpn))
Hisashi Takai (1985, 1986) (Rommel, Emperor (Jpn), Gyorai, Sqwier, Deep Throat (Jpn))
Kerry (1986) (Mein Kampf)
Satoru (1986) (Virus (Jpn), D.N.A, Dual Spiral)
Hideto "hide" Matsumoto (R.I.P. 2nd May 1998, suicide by hanging) (1987-1997) (Yokosuka Saver Tiger, Zilch, hide with Spread Beaver)
Eddie Van Koide (The Wretched (Jpn), Ritual Carnage, Grim Force)
Bass:
Tely (Atsushi Tokuo) (1984-1985)
Hikaru Utaka (1985-1986) Mephistopheles (Jpn), Gyorai, Atlantis (Jpn), Court Of Arms, Rommel)
Yasushi "Taiji" Sawada (1985, 1986-1992) (Loudness, Kings, Dementia (Jpn), Dirty Trashroad, Otokaze)
Additional notes:
X Japan were the most prominent members of a movement called "Visual Kei", which was very popular in Japan during the 80s and 90s. The music played by Visual Kei bands covered almost everything from pop to metal. All bands were known for colorful, flamboyant clothes and very extravagant hairstyling.
X is also featured on the "Heavy Metal Force III" compilation-CD, released in 1985, with the song "Break The Darkness".
X Japan disbanded in 1997. Guitarist hide (always written in lower case) died by hanging a year later. Though officially ruled suicide, other X Japan members continue to contend that his death was an accident.
X Japan reunited in 2007; hide''s guitar parts have been played by rotating guest musicians.
Birth dates:
Toshi (Toshimitsu Deyama) (10th October 1965, Tateyama, Chiba, Japan)
Yoshiki Hayashi (20th November 1965, Tateyama, Chiba, Japan)
Pata (Tomoaki Ishizuka) (4th November 1965, Chiba, Japan)
Heath (Hiroshi Morie) (22nd January 1968, Amagasaki, Japan)
Hide (Hideto Matsumoto) (13th December 1964, Yokosuka, Japan) - R.I.P. 2nd May 1998
Taiji (Yasushi Sawada) (12th July 1966, Ichikawa, Chiba, Japan)
Discography:
X Japan - I'll Kill You [demo] - 1984
X Japan - Feel Me Tonight [demo] - 1985
X Japan - Endless Dream [demo] - 1985
X Japan - I'll Kill You [ep] - 1985
X Japan - X Live [demo] - 1985
X Japan - Feel Me Tonight (2) [demo] - 1986
X Japan - Jun's Tape [demo] - 1986
X Japan - Kurenai [demo] - 1986
X Japan - Orgasm [ep] - 1986
X Japan - Xclamation [video/vhs] - 1987
X Japan - Xclamation 88 [video/vhs] - 1988
X Japan - Vanishing Vision [full-length] - 1988
X Japan - Stab Me In The Back [ep] - 1988
X Japan - Blue Blood [full-length] - 1989
X Japan - Blue Blood Tout Bakuhatsu Sunzen Gig [video/vhs] - 1989
X Japan - Kurenai (New Version) [single] - 1989
X Japan - Endless Rain [single] - 1989
X Japan - Shigeki! (Visual Shock Vol. 2) [video/vhs] - 1989
X Japan - Week End (New Alternate Version) [single] - 1990
X Japan - Celebration (Visual Shock Vol 2.5) [video/vhs] - 1990
X Japan - Jealousy [full-length] - 1991
X Japan - Symphonic Blue Blood [full-length] - 1991
X Japan - Silent Jealousy [single] - 1991
X Japan - Shigeki² ~yume No Naka Ni Dake Ikite~ (Visual Shock Vol. 3) [video/vhs] - 1991
X Japan - Standing Sex [single] - 1991
X Japan - Say Anything [single] - 1991
X Japan - Say Anything X Ballad Collection (Visual Shock Vol. 3.5) [video/vhs] - 1991
X Japan - Symphonic Silent Jealousy [full-length] - 1992
X Japan - On The Verge Of Destruction [video/vhs] - 1992
X Japan - Orchestra Selection ~ Blue Blood & Jealousy [best of/compilation] - 1992
X Japan - A Music Box For Fantasy ~yoshiki~ [best of/compilation] - 1992
X Japan - Art Of Life [ep] - 1993
X Japan - Tears [single] - 1993
X Japan - X Singles [best of/compilation] - 1993
X Japan - Rusty Nail [single] - 1994
X Japan - X Clips [video/vhs] - 1995
X Japan - On The Verge Of Destruction [live album] - 1995
X Japan - Longing (Unchained Melody) [single] - 1995
X Japan - Longing (Night) [single] - 1995
X Japan - Dahlia [single] - 1996
X Japan - Forever Love [single] - 1996
X Japan - Crucify My Love [single] - 1996
X Japan - Scars [single] - 1996
X Japan - B.O.X. - Best Of X [best of/compilation] - 1996
X Japan - Dahlia [full-length] - 1996
X Japan - Live Live Live (Tokyo Dome 1993-1996) [live album] - 1997
X Japan - Live Live Live Extra [live album] - 1997
X Japan - Forever Love (Last Mix) [single] - 1997
X Japan - Ballad Collection [best of/compilation] - 1997
X Japan - Singles - Atlantic Years [best of/compilation] - 1997
X Japan - Singles Box [boxed set] - 1997
X Japan - Special Box [boxed set] - 1997
X Japan - Live In Hokkaido 1995.12.4 Bootleg [live album] - 1998
X Japan - Art Of Life Live [ep] - 1998
X Japan - The Last Song [single] - 1998
X Japan - On Piano [best of/compilation] - 1998
X Japan - On Guitar [best of/compilation] - 1998
X Japan - Star Box [best of/compilation] - 1999
X Japan - Perfect Best [best of/compilation] - 1999
X Japan - Dahlia Tour Final 1996 [dvd] - 2001
X Japan - The Last Live [live album] - 2001
X Japan - Forever Love (Reissue) [single] - 2001
X Japan - Blue Blood Tour: Bakuhatsu Sunzen Gig [dvd] - 2001
X Japan - X Japan Clips Ii [dvd] - 2001
X Japan - Best-fan\'s Selection [best of/compilation] - 2001
X Japan - The Last Live Video [dvd] - 2002
X Japan - Trance X [best of/compilation] - 2002
X Japan - Art Of Life - Tokyo Dome [dvd] - 2003
X Japan - Best [best of/compilation] - 2004
X Japan - Complete Ii [boxed set] - 2005
X Japan - Aoi Yoru, Shiroi Yoru [boxed set] - 2007
X Japan - Aoi Yoru [dvd] - 2007
X Japan - Shiroi Yoru [dvd] - 2007
X Japan - I.V. [single] - 2008
X Japan - X Japan Returns [boxed set] - 2008
X Japan - X Visual Shock Dvd Box 1989-1992 [boxed set] - 2008
*****
Official site:
http://www.myspace.com/XJAPAN2008