Masterpieces and Popular Songs of X JAPAN

Without YouX JAPAN

X Japan “WITHOUT YOU” (rough cut) – TOKYO DOME 2009

A song YOSHIKI wrote immediately after HIDE’s sudden passing, pouring his feelings for HIDE straight into it upon returning to Los Angeles.

Although YOSHIKI had kept his distance from TOSHI after the breakup, he couldn’t shake the image of TOSHI singing it, and even composed it in a key to suit him.

About eight years passed after the song was first created, and it was finally completed when TOSHI sang it at the miraculous X JAPAN reunion concert.

Art Of LifeX JAPAN

Art of Life

Under the theme of YOSHIKI’s “Life is Art,” a work that took about four years to complete was unveiled, leaving people stunned.

It was astonishing enough that a single track ran nearly 30 minutes, but it also leapt from rock to classical, from a gentle ballad to ferocious speed metal.

Stillness and motion.

Listeners couldn’t help but be captivated by a piece that seemed to embody YOSHIKI’s very way of life.

Additionally, the X-ray image of a head on the album cover is actually YOSHIKI’s own.

They kept pulling off one unprecedented feat after another.

BREAK THE DARKNESSX JAPAN

BREAK THE DARKNESS / X

I dug up an incredibly old X JAPAN song.

However, since it’s a self-produced EP first released during their indie days, I can’t leave it out.

This is where the legend of X JAPAN began.

If you listen to it after hearing the fully realized X JAPAN of today, you can feel the youthfulness in the music.

HeroX JAPAN

X Japan – Hero (lyric video trailer)

One of X JAPAN’s new songs after their restart, it’s already known as a live staple.

Although only a short version of the music video has been officially released, you can still feel the song’s concept: even heroes have both good and evil sides, and it’s up to you which way you steer them.

Longing ~A Broken Melody~X JAPAN

[X Japan] Longing ~The Broken-off Melody~

Am I the only one who felt there are a lot of ballads on the album DAHLIA? It might be inevitable given the members’ ages, though.

That said, X JAPAN is a band that churns out hits even with ballads.

They’re beautiful ballads in YOSHIKI’s distinctive, slightly classical style.

UN-FINISHED…X JAPAN

X Japan – Unfinished [HD]

It’s a grand ballad performed with a simple instrumental arrangement.

As the title UN-FINISHED… (Unfinished) suggests, the song ends partway through.

You can hear the completed version on the album BLUE BLOOD.

Vanshing LoveX JAPAN

X JAPAN – Dear Loser / Vanishing Love (Tokyo Dome 1992.01.06)

This is a work from X JAPAN’s indie days before their major-label debut.

It’s a hard, up-tempo number from X JAPAN’s heyday, with a story-like progression that’s captivating.

A melodious melody line, a clean-lined guitar solo, backing that doesn’t interfere with the vocals, and drumming with intense playing.

This is X JAPAN.