X Japan

Among the most pivotal forces in the evolution of rock music within Japan stands X Japan. Originating during the opening years of the 1980s as a speed metal outfit, the ensemble drew notice through both its sonic output and its role in advancing visual kei, the cultural, musical, and fashion phenomenon distinguished by extravagant coiffures and gender-blending cosmetics in the manner of glam rock. Entering the 1990s, X incorporated power ballads, pop elements, and classical influences into its repertoire, forging an approach that facilitated the band's entry into and prolonged command of the Japanese popular music scene.

Prior to inking a major-label deal in 1988, X ranked among the nation's earliest independent acts to attain nationwide success. Childhood companions Yoshiki Hayashi (drums/keys) and Toshimitsu Deyama (vocalist/guitarist known as Toshi) established the band while still in high school, after which Yoshiki founded his own imprint, Extasy Records, for the purpose of issuing the group's recordings. With lead guitarist Hide (born Hideto Matsumoto), rhythm guitarist Pata (born Tomoaki Ishizuka), and bassist Taiji (born Taiji Sawada) completing the roster, X issued multiple singles plus the 1988 full-length Vanishing Vision before securing a Sony contract late in the decade. Blue Blood, the band's major-label debut, surfaced in 1989.

Blue Blood attained multi-platinum status on the basis of three hit singles. The follow-up effort, Jealousy, matched that popularity by ranking as the 12th best-selling album of 1991 even after its mid-year appearance. Aiming to penetrate international territories, X extended its name to X Japan (a choice intended to differentiate the Japanese act from the American punk band sharing a similar moniker) and entered a fresh agreement with Atlantic Records. The musicians also enlisted bass player Heath (born Hiroshi Morie) in place of the exiting Taiji. Drawing upon Yoshiki's classical training—he having emerged as the band's leader—X Japan resurfaced in 1993 with Art of Life, a symphonic release comprising one extended, eclectic, 29-minute composition. Yoshiki additionally issued a second symphonic album that same year, collaborating with producer George Martin on classical arrangements of several X Japan songs. Eternal Melody, released later in 1993, became the best-selling classical record in Japanese history. In the same period, Hide, Heath, and Toshi each issued solo discs, of which Hide's Hide Your Face achieved the greatest commercial traction.

Upon X Japan's return in 1996 with Dahlia, both the band's appearance and its sound had shifted. Apart from Hide, who retained the visual kei aesthetic, the musicians had largely dispensed with extravagant hairstyles and flashy costumes. Their music likewise moved toward smoother territory, emphasizing ballads such as "Forever Love" that spotlighted Yoshiki's piano work and Toshi's vocals rather than rapid, aggressive rock tracks. Nevertheless, Dahlia ranked among X Japan's most successful albums; four singles reached the top of the Japanese charts, while another track, "Tears," climbed to number two.

X Japan had attained the status of a national institution by the mid-'90s, yet the group nevertheless disbanded in September 1997 after Toshi declared his wish to exit and pursue music on a simpler scale (a decade afterward he disclosed that he had in fact gone bankrupt following "brainwashing" by a cult). Several months later the band staged its farewell performance at the Tokyo Dome on New Year's Eve.

In the ensuing months Hide quietly became the most active former member, mounting shows in support of his second solo release, Psyence, and even assembling an American-based side project, Zilch, alongside members of Spread Beaver, Queens of the Stone Age, Killing Joke, and the Professionals. On May 2, 1998, Hide was discovered unconscious in his apartment and subsequently died from an apparent suicide.

Nearly ten years after Hide's death, X Japan began preparations for a reunion. Former Luna Sea guitarist Sugizo, who had helped advance the visual kei movement alongside X Japan during the '90s, joined as the newest member, and the band commenced rehearsals in mid-2007. By year's end the group had recorded the new song "I.V.," after which an international tour ensued. In 2010, during a two-night engagement at Japan's Nissan Stadium, the band briefly reunited with founding bassist Taiji, who died the following year from complications after an attempted suicide. The ensemble persisted in worldwide touring and new recordings, yet a successor to Dahlia remained stalled.

In 2016, following repeated postponements, X Japan formally revealed its sixth studio album together with the accompanying documentary We Are X; however, early that year Pata was hospitalized for treatment of a severe blood clot, and although discharged, the album faced another delay. The documentary and its soundtrack appeared in 2017. We Are X entered the Top Five of the Oricon charts, reached the U.K. Top 30, and topped the U.K. Rock & Metal Albums chart. To mark the release, X Japan screened the film prior to a headlining performance at Wembley Arena on March 4, 2017, forty years after Yoshiki and Toshi first collaborated in 1977.