X Japan is a Japanese rock band from Chiba, formed in 1982 by drummer Yoshiki and lead vocalist Toshi. Starting as a predominantly power/speed metal band with heavy symphonic elements, they later gravitated towards a progressive sound with an emphasis on ballads. Besides being one of the first Japanese acts to achieve mainstream success while on an independent label, the group is widely credited as one of the pioneers of visual kei, a movement among Japanese musicians comparable to Western glam.
Hideto Matsumoto, better known by his stage name hide, was a Japanese musician, singer-songwriter and record producer. He was the lead guitarist of the rock band X Japan from 1987 onward, and a solo artist from 1993 onward. He also formed the United States-based rock supergroup Zilch in 1996.
Tomoaki Ishizuka, known exclusively by his stage name Pata, is a Japanese musician. He is the rhythm guitarist for the visual kei rock band X Japan. He joined the band in 1987, stayed with them until their dissolution in 1997 and rejoined when the band started a comeback in 2007.
Hiroshi Morie, known exclusively by his stage name Heath, is a Japanese musician and singer-songwriter. He is the bass guitarist of the rock band X Japan. He joined the group in 1992 a few months after the ex-bassist Taiji Sawada left the band. Heath stayed with X Japan until the band's dissolution in 1997 and reunited with the band from 2007 onward.
Art of Life is the fourth studio album by Japanese heavy metal band X Japan, released on August 25, 1993, by Atlantic Records. The album consists solely of the 29-minute-long orchestrated title track, which was written and composed by Yoshiki entirely in English and recorded with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra. It topped the Oricon chart and has sold over 600,000 copies. The album is the band's first after changing their name from simply "X" and the first to feature bassist Heath.
Dahlia is the fifth studio album by Japanese heavy metal band X Japan, released on November 4, 1996 by Atlantic Records. It is the band's last album before breaking up the following year, and the last to feature new work by guitarist hide, due to his death two years later. The album is composed largely of ballads, with only a few tracks retaining the band's heavier musical traits seen on previous releases. It topped the Oricon chart and stayed on the chart for only 15 weeks, but managed to sell over half a million copies. Seven, nearly all, of the album's songs were released as singles, most of which also topped the singles chart and sold well.
Jealousy is the third studio album by Japanese heavy metal band X Japan, then known as simply X. The album was released on July 1, 1991 by Sony, as the band's second major label release. Jealousy is the band's best-selling album, having sold more than one million copies, it topped the Oricon chart and stayed on the chart for 50 weeks. The album's singles would also reach the top three on the chart. It is their last album under the name "X", before changing to "X Japan", and the last to feature Taiji on bass, who would be replaced by Heath.
"Silent Jealousy" is a single released by X Japan on September 11, 1991.
The discography of the Japanese heavy metal band X Japan consists of 5 studio albums, 6 live albums, 1 remix album, 11 compilations, 1 soundtrack album, 23 singles, and around 22 live video recordings.
On the Verge of Destruction 1992.1.7 Tokyo Dome Live is a live VHS/LD released by X Japan on November 1, 1992. It contains the band's performance at the Tokyo Dome on January 7, 1992, the last with Taiji Sawada on bass. The video was re-released on DVD on September 25, 2001, there is also a two-CD version of the same name.
Art of Life Live is an X Japan live album released on March 18, 1998. It is composed solely of one song, "Art of Life". Mostly recorded on December 31, 1993 at the Tokyo Dome. The album reached number 20 on the Oricon chart. This same performance was released on DVD and VHS, as Art of Life 1993.12.31 Tokyo Dome, five years later.
"The Last Song" is an X Japan single released on March 18, 1998, shortly after the band's breakup in late 1997.
Complete II is a box set released October 1, 2005. On ten CDs and nine DVDs it collects all studio and live albums, and all DVDs that X Japan released after changing their name from X, along with two DVDs containing previously unreleased and rare material from the band's earlier career. It reached number 92 on the Oricon chart.
Live Live Live Tokyo Dome 1993-1996 is a live album released by X Japan on October 15, 1997. As the title implies, it contains songs recorded at the Tokyo Dome between 1993 and 1996, all of them at the band's annual New Year's Eve concerts at that stadium. The album reached number 3 on the Oricon chart. A supplemental disc, titled Live Live Live Extra was released the following month.
Live Live Live Extra is a live album released by X Japan on November 5, 1997. Supplemental to the previously published Live Live Live Tokyo Dome 1993-1996, it contains more recordings from the band's annual New Year's Eve concerts at the Tokyo Dome. All tracks on this album were recorded on December 31, 1996, with the exception of "Piano Solo", which was taken from the 1995 performance. The album reached number 13 on the Oricon chart.
Aoi Yoru is an X Japan live DVD released on July 25, 2007. It contains the band's performance at the Tokyo Dome on December 30, 1994. A DVD containing the concert from the following night was released on the same day, along with a limited edition, containing both concerts and additional material.
Shiroi Yoru is an X Japan live DVD released on July 25, 2007. It contains the band's performance at the Tokyo Dome on December 31, 1994. A DVD containing the concert from the previous night was released on the same day, along with a limited edition, containing both concerts and additional material.
X Japan Returns 1993.12.30 is an X Japan live DVD, released on February 29, 2008. It contains the band's performance at the Tokyo Dome on December 30, 1993. A DVD containing the concert from the following night was released on the same day, along with a limited edition containing both concerts and additional material.
X Japan Returns 1993.12.31 is an X Japan live DVD, released on February 29, 2008. It contains the band's performance at the Tokyo Dome on December 31, 1993. A DVD containing the concert from the previous night was released on the same day, along with a limited edition containing both concerts and additional material. This performance of "Art of Life" was previously released on the Art of Life 1993.12.31 Tokyo Dome DVD.
X Visual Shock DVD Box is an X Japan box set released on July 23, 2008. It collects every home videos X Japan released before changing their name from X, along with one DVD containing previously unreleased material from the band's earlier career.
