The Japanese heavy metal band X Japan seek to become the next big name in American rock n’ roll as they continue to tour the States in support of their upcoming American debut album.
X Japan have been called “The Guns N’ Roses of Japan” and for good reason. Much like G N’ R, X Japan have sold many albums (more than 300 million records!), packed stadiums (they’ve sold out the 50,000 seat Tokyo Dome 18 times!), and disbanded back in ’97 (a year after the original G N’ R broke up). Ten years later, they would reunite and perform live for the very first time since going their separate ways in a series of concerts held from 2007 through 2009 throughout Asia. While a household name in their native Japan and in the neighboring China, Taiwan, and South Korea, they are completely unknown back here in the USA.
X Japan have been called “The Guns N’ Roses of Japan” and for good reason. Much like G N’ R, X Japan have sold many albums (more than 300 million records!), packed stadiums (they’ve sold out the 50,000 seat Tokyo Dome 18 times!), and disbanded back in ’97 (a year after the original G N’ R broke up). Ten years later, they would reunite and perform live for the very first time since going their separate ways in a series of concerts held from 2007 through 2009 throughout Asia. While a household name in their native Japan and in the neighboring China, Taiwan, and South Korea, they are completely unknown back here in the USA.
X Japan was founded in 1982 by Toshimitsu “Toshi” Deyama and Yoshiki Hayashi under the name “X”, the heavy metal group gained breakthrough success in 1989 with the release of their sophomore album “Blue Blood”. X Japan originally started out as a power/speed metal band, but they later adopted a more progressive sound and at times emphasized on ballads rather than straightforward thrash. Many describe the band’s sound as “extremely raw” while combined with the sounds of classical style of piano passages and vocal melodies. X Japan is also well known for having well-developed percussion parts and often use harmonized guitar riffs and solos in most of their songs. The group is considered by many in the music industry to be the pioneers of the visual kei movement in music.
X Japan performed their first North American tour last year from September 25 to October 10 of last year. Their American debut was at last year’s Lollapalooza music festival in Chicago. And while it’s still too early to tell if X Japan will be as big here as they are back home, one it for sure, Yoshiki is no stranger to States. He has been a Los Angeles resident for more than a decade has been using his time to carefully plan X Japan’s international debut while also studying the Western music scene and the English language!
The band has a new album in the works that will be released sometime this year. As of now, their 2011 album doesn’t have a title, but that’s sure to change before it drops. The new album of the band’s hits have been made with American listeners in mind: the lyrics were translated into English and there is a heavier bass featured on the tracks!
The band planned to release the new album’s first single “Jade” this past March 15th, but it was pushed back due to the recent earthquake and tsunami disaster in Japan. X Japan has decided to postpone its debut until further notice, but instead of waiting for them to debut it, here’s a fan made video from YouTube of “Jade” instead. Enjoy! J
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