ZoSoRose Posted July 6, 2015 Share Posted July 6, 2015 (edited) I know a few of you on here like X Japan.For those of you that don't know them, X Japan is one of the biggest bands in Japanese history. They aren't well known here in the States, but have a small following, doing a small tour here in 2010 and playing Madison Square Garden this past fall. Their heyday was in the late 80s-mid 90s like GNR and they are a mix of heavy metal, piano ballads, classical, and more. One of the most unique bands out there. Anyways, they broke up in the 90s and reunited in 2008. Ever since they have been promising a new album. Like our bud, Axl, there have been tons of broken promises, new live songs, mishaps, etc since then. The album was supposed to come out in 2010 when they had their American debut. It didn't happen, but they finally announced it. Its said to be mostly in English and will be their first worldwide release.I doubt many on here care, but this is a huge deal for me so I'd love to share if anyone's interested. I'll post more album information and possible tour dates for their 2016 tour when they are announced.Fun fact- Richard Fortus played with them filling in for their late lead guitar player, Hide, at their reunion shows in 2008. Richard and Robin Finck also covered their song "Endless Rain" at a Guns N' Roses gig in Japan in 2006.Here's the album announcement link- http://loudwire.com/x-japan-new-album-documentary-2016/And some of their songs for those interested in checking them out, some are in English and some in Japanese-Silent Jealousy- This song is a good mix of what they are about, some classical piano, heavy riffing, good melodies, and trademark duel harmonized guitar solos Rose of Pain- One of their more epic songs clocking in at almost 11 minutes. Lots of awesome instruments throughout it including guitar, piano, and bass solos. Tears- A good example of one of their piano ballads. Its almost something I can imagine Axl doing. Really good guitar solo and a symphonic outro. Art of Life (Live)- Arguably their masterpiece. This is a half hour long heavy metal onslaught. Some of my all time favorite guitar work is in this song. It also has an 8 minute avant-garde piano concerto in the middle. Jade- This is a post reunion song that will definitely be on the new album. Its a blend of modern rock and classic heavy metal. Very catchy and the riff sounds a bit like Shackler's Revenge imo. Edited July 6, 2015 by ZoSoRose Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maynard Posted July 6, 2015 Share Posted July 6, 2015 Endless Rain is a beautiful song. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ZoSoRose Posted July 6, 2015 Author Share Posted July 6, 2015 Endless Rain is a beautiful song.Damn right it is! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matthias Posted July 6, 2015 Share Posted July 6, 2015 Gonna be in London for sure. Saw them in 2011, and although the setlists could have been a little bit more different at each concert the gigs were really fun. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
moreblack Posted July 6, 2015 Share Posted July 6, 2015 I've been all about Art Of Life since I discovered them back in '07 or so, and as luck would have it they reunited not long after I found them. I've enjoyed all their new stuff so far, Jade, I.V., Born To Be Free...And this more recent ditty: 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ZoSoRose Posted July 6, 2015 Author Share Posted July 6, 2015 Gonna be in London for sure. Saw them in 2011, and although the setlists could have been a little bit more different at each concert the gigs were really fun.I saw them in Chicago in 2010, one of the best gigs I've been to. Really hoping they come to the USA next year, as some of my friends are into them now. Have fun in London!I've been all about Art Of Life since I discovered them back in '07 or so, and as luck would have it they reunited not long after I found them. I've enjoyed all their new stuff so far, Jade, I.V., Born To Be Free...And this more recent ditty: Hell yeah, I know you are a fan Moreblack. Beneath the Skin sounds promising. I like it more than Hero Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matthias Posted July 7, 2015 Share Posted July 7, 2015 Gonna be in London for sure. Saw them in 2011, and although the setlists could have been a little bit more different at each concert the gigs were really fun.I saw them in Chicago in 2010, one of the best gigs I've been to. Really hoping they come to the USA next year, as some of my friends are into them now. Have fun in London!Thanks.Beneath the Skin is at the moment my favorite post-reunion song, although I prefer the S.K.I.N. version because of its backing vocals: 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ZoSoRose Posted July 8, 2015 Author Share Posted July 8, 2015 (edited) Beneath the Skin sounds really good, but Jade is still my favorite "new" song. Honestly, I pretty much like all of them. I know the more commercial and modern direction put a lot of people off, but they are still good, hard rocking tunes for the most part. I also like Sugizo's guitar work, its definitely very different than Hide's style, but what do you expect when such a unique player passes away?I'm really excited to hear "Kiss the Sky". Apparently it is a 9 minute long epic. From the clips it sounds awesome, the heavy parts sound like Art of Life 2https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fIw9hUWGTmI&feature=youtu.beIf the album is 12 tracks, there are still at least 3-5 unknown songs too along with IV, Jade, Beneath the Skin, Hero, Born to be Free, and Kiss the Sky Edited July 8, 2015 by ZoSoRose Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
moreblack Posted July 8, 2015 Share Posted July 8, 2015 Does it bug anyone that we've potentially heard half the album already? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ZoSoRose Posted July 9, 2015 Author Share Posted July 9, 2015 (edited) Does it bug anyone that we've potentially heard half the album already?Yeah, Im bummed but it was the same deal with Dahlia. Plus, the album was originally supposed to be only like 3 to 4 songs and half rerecorded classics. Im just glad its a real album with all new material and the new studio takes on what we know will sound good.That being said, if they release or play Kiss The Sky or whatever ill hold off listening until the albun Edited July 9, 2015 by ZoSoRose Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
moreblack Posted July 10, 2015 Share Posted July 10, 2015 They're in some type of best live band fan vote thing:http://loudwire.com/linkin-park-vs-x-japan-best-live-band-round-1/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matthias Posted July 10, 2015 Share Posted July 10, 2015 Does it bug anyone that we've potentially heard half the album already?Yeah, I'd also prefer being surprised by the record, so I really wouldn't mind if they won't perform/release any unheard song until the album is released.And a complete acoustic concert would also be nice, something like Toshi did in 1993 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
moreblack Posted July 11, 2015 Share Posted July 11, 2015 On the acoustic front, I really dig the addition of Sugizo in the band because of his violin skills Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ZoSoRose Posted July 12, 2015 Author Share Posted July 12, 2015 (edited) I love their acoustic renditionsMy favorite was Rose of Pain Edited July 12, 2015 by ZoSoRose Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ZoSoRose Posted August 19, 2015 Author Share Posted August 19, 2015 First Japanese tour in 20 years and the first single will be in October!http://www.xplosion-online.com/?p=4787#.VdSYt_kgrT9 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
moreblack Posted August 20, 2015 Share Posted August 20, 2015 They're in some type of best live band fan vote thing:http://loudwire.com/linkin-park-vs-x-japan-best-live-band-round-1/They won that thinghttp://loudwire.com/x-japan-win-best-live-band-tournament/ X Japan Win Loudwire’s Best Live Band TournamentBy Chad Childers August 11, 2015 10:55 AM Share on Facebook Share on TwitterHerfitz PRWe started with 32 amazing live acts and week by week you helped decide who would advance. When all the dust settled and the final votes were counted, X Japan came out on top, besting Pearl Jam in the Best Live Band tournament finals.They began their run through the tournament by beating out Linkin Park in the first round of the Headbanger Region. They advanced to take on and take down Avenged Sevenfold before facing one of their stiffest competitions in the form of Slipknot in the Headbanger Region finals.After that, it was onto the final four, where they defeated Stage Dive Region champ Tool in convincing fashion before earning a decisive win over the mighty Mosh Pit region representative Pearl Jam in the Best Live Band tournament finals.The iconic X Japan built their reputation as one of Japan’s top rock outfits with power metal, speed metal and symphonic elements to their music. While they released five studio albums in the late ’80s and early ’90s, the stage was where they truly made their name, first in their homeland and then branching out to North America within the last decade. Their elaborate production, emotional performances and master craftsmanship have made them a concert favorite and helped propel them to the Best Live Band title. Congrats to X Japan and their fans on the victory. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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