X Japan

X Japan (エックス・ジャパン, Ekkusu Japan) is a Japanese heavy metal band from Chiba, formed in 1982 by drummer Yoshiki and lead vocalist Toshi. Predominantly a power/speed metal band with heavy symphonic elements, they later gravitated towards a progressive sound with an emphasis on ballads. 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 visual kei, a movement among Japanese musicians comparable to Western glam.

Originally named X (エックス, Ekkusu), they released their debut album Vanishing Vision (1988) on Yoshiki's own Extasy Records a year after finalizing their line-up including bassist Taiji, lead guitarist hide and rhythm guitarist Pata. They achieved breakthrough success in 1989 with the release of their second and major debut album Blue Blood. Following 1991's Jealousy, Taiji left the band in early 1992. He was replaced by Heath and the group changed their name to X Japan before producing the mini album Art of Life (1993), which is composed solely of the 29-minute title track. In 1995 the group dropped most of its original visual kei aesthetics in favor of a more casual look and released Dahlia (1996), which like their two previous albums debuted at number one. X Japan performed their last concert at the Tokyo Dome on December 31, 1997, making it the last of five consecutive sold-out New Year's Eve concerts the group held at the stadium.

After ten years, X Japan reunited in 2007 and recorded the new song "I.V.". Over the next two years they performed several concerts, including their first overseas show in Hong Kong, and formally added Sugizo as lead guitarist in place of Hide, who died in 1998, before holding a North American tour in 2010. In 2011, the band went on their first world tour throughout Europe, South America and Asia.

X Japan has released five studio albums, six live albums, and 21 singles. Three of their albums have consecutively debuted at number one on the Oricon chart. In 2003, HMV Japan ranked the band at number 40 on their 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. It has been reported that X Japan have sold over 30 million records.

Wikipedia

Releases

Sleeve Title Year Format
X Japan - Art Of Life Live 1998 CD, Mini-Album
X JAPAN - Dahlia Tour Final 1996 1997 VHS
X JAPAN - Scars 1996 CD, Mini, Single
X* - Visual Shock Vol.4 破滅に向かって 1992.1.7 Tokyo Dome Live 1992 VHS
iX* - Rose & Blood [Indies Of X] 2001 CD, Compilation, Partially Unofficial
X* - Sex Scandal Love Violence 1987 VHS, Promo
X* - X、現わる。 1987 VHS, Promo
X* - "Celebration" Visual Shock Vol. 2.5 1990 Laserdisc, 12", Stereo, NTSC
X* - Jealousy 1991 CD, Album
X Japan - Trance X 2002 CD, Album
X* - Vanishing Vision 1988 Vinyl, LP, Album
X Japan - We Are X: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack 2017 CD, Compilation, Limited Edition
X Japan - Art Of Life 1993 CD, Mini-Album, Limited Edition
X* - X Singles 1993 CD, Compilation, Stereo
X Japan - We Are X 2017 Blu-ray
X* - On The Verge Of Destruction 1992.1.7 Tokyo Dome Live 1995 CD, Album
X* - 紅 Kurenai 1989 CD, Mini, Single, Limited Edition
X JAPAN - The World ~X Japan 初の全世界ベスト~ 2014 CD, Compilation, Remastered, Stereo
X Japan - Crucify My Love 1996 CD, Mini, Single, Stereo
X* - Visual Shock Vol.3.5 Say Anything X Ballad Collection 1991 Laserdisc, 12"
X Japan - Longing ~跡切れた Melody~ 1994 Cassette, Limited Edition
X JAPAN - Special Box 1997 Box Set, Limited Edition, CD, Album, Reissue, Stereo
X JAPAN - Jade 2011 File, AAC, Single
X JAPAN - 青い夜 完全版 1994.12.30 Tokyo Dome 2Days Live 2007 DVD
X* - Live 1985 Cassette
X* - Blue Blood 1989 CD, Album, Stereo
X Japan - Dahlia 1996 CD, Album
X Japan - Forever Love 1996 CD, Mini, Single
X JAPAN - Ballad Collection 1997 CD, Album, Compilation
X Japan - X Japan Best ~Fan's Selection~ 2001 CD, Compilation, Remastered, Stereo
X* - Silent Jealousy 1991 CD, Mini, Single
X Japan - The Last Live 2001 CD, Album
X JAPAN - I.V. 2008 File, AAC, Single
X* - Visual Shock DVD Box 1989-1992 2008 Box Set, Compilation, Limited Edition, DVD, Reissue
X JAPAN - 白い夜 完全版 1994.12.31 Tokyo Dome 2Days Live 2007 DVD
X* - I'll Kill You 1984 Cassette, Unofficial Release
X JAPAN - X Japan Clips II 2001 DVD
X* - Sexy Scandal Love Violence 1986.7.25 神楽坂Explosion 全編 1986 Cassette, Limited Edition, Unofficial Release
X* - Sexy Scandal Love Violence 1986.6.5 渋谷La・Mama 1986 Cassette, Limited Edition, Unofficial Release
X* - Kurenai <Original Japanese Version> 1988 Flexi-disc, 7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single Sided, Promo
X JAPAN - X Japan Returns 2008 DVD, DVD-Video, DVD, DVD-Video, Limited Edition, Box Set, Compilation, Limited Edition
X* - Vanishing Vision 1989 CD, Album
X Japan - We Are X 2017 Blu-ray, Limited Edition
X* - Vanishing Vision 1991 CD, Album, Reissue
X* - Blue Blood CD, Album, Reissue
X Japan - The Last Live Video 2002 DVD, DVD-Video, NTSC
X Japan - Star Box 1999 CD, Compilation
X JAPAN - Forever Love 1998 CD, Mini, Single, Reissue
X* - Blue Blood 2008 CD, Album, Reissue, Remastered
X* - Visual Shock Vol.4 破滅に向かって 1992.1.7 Tokyo Dome Live 2001 DVD, DVD-Video, NTSC, Reissue

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