X-Japan

The band X was one of Japan's more popular bands during its run in the early nineties, but never made serious inroads in the international market. Musically they alternated between a typical Japanese metal style similar to countrymen Earthshaker or Anthem and a more pop-metallish approach, while visually they spent most of their career with a glam-ish look. They officially changed their name to X-Japan with the release of Jealousy, in order to avoid confusion with the Los Angeles punk band X, and it was at this time that they attempted an entry into the American scene, but this was not successful, possibly because their glam image was hardly fashionable in the US in the early nineties. They disbanded in 1997, with a largely original lineup coming back together a decade later. Sadly, two former members have passed away under unfortunate circumstances, as guitarist Hide unfortunately committed suicide in 1998 under mysterious/controversial circumstances (it may not have been an intentional suicide), and bassist Taiji Sawada passed away in 2011.

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Discography

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