FIRST REACTION X JAPAN (Kurenai) 🔥🥁🎤 

Just FYI Gene Simmons of KISS said if Xjapan had been born in America they would have been the Biggest Band in the world 🌎

Yoshiki: drumer and piano. Sugizo: violin and guitar

Fun fact: drum and piano player are the same person: yoshiki

The pianist had to get to the drums and the violinist had to get to the guitar...best band in the world...❤❤❤❤

"lovin the hair" Boy, I can't wait for this guy to find their 1988 videos

When you brought up liking KISS it reminded me that Gene Simmons once said that if X Japan was born in America they would have been the biggest band in the world.

I've lost close family to suicide at a young age and I can definitely feel Yoshiki's pain in his performances, you can feel his struggle to cope through his music, and given what happened to the other members of the band, especially Hide, X-Japan deserves the respect and love they recieve. Beautiul misic

Yoshiki is a genius! Watch the documentary "We are X" Highly recommended!

X Japan is an absolute classic, they inspired whole generation of Japan bands, thanks for the react

The violin player is Sugizo, who is one of the members of Luna Sea, his 'main' band. X hasn't been active for awhile. The last time they played live was right before the pandemic hit. Kurenai (Crimson). There are so many excellent bands in Japan, metal/rock/alternative. All you need is to ask, and people will recommend bands all day. My personal fave is Dir En Grey. I suggest you delve into 'jrock/metal or Visual Kei... bands like Mucc, Lynch, Luna Sea, L'arc en Ciel, Glay, Loudness, One Ok Rock... the list is endless. And yes, both Sugizo and Yoshiki are classically trained. Yoshiki writes all the music. Fun personal fact; Heath, (bassist), the bass player for Dir en Grey and the bassist for The Gazette, all influenced me to learn the bass at age 56 (I'm almost 60 now) I road trip to as many gigs as possible, and have been to Japan just once, sadly.

As I’m sure many people already said, Yoshiki (pianist/drummer) is an absolute genius. Writer, composer, humanitarian, super hero (look it up, Stan Lee made it happen) who has rocked Tokyo Dome and brought Carnegie Hall to tears.

Not just an ordinary "reaction" video, but also a serious, professional, technically down-to-earth music review. Thumbs up 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

RIP Hide

Oh you need to do Endless Rain from the goodbye (called "The Last Live" often) show from when they disbanded. just the raw emotion on that stage, let alone the song itself, is enough to bring tears to my eyes every damn time.

X should have ruled the world back then... their songs are classics literally...

This song is came out 1989. It's more than 30 years ago, but never gets old.

Did one is great, but I recommend more of their last live version 1997 of Kurenai. The energy is insane, and they are in their prime.

Hello from Finland. I'm big Nightwish fan since their early days. I found XJAPAN about 14 years ago and fall in love right away, their backround story is unbelievable and their fans are as fanatical as Nightwish have. I saw them live in Wembley arena 2017, dreams can come true :) My favorite songs are Rusty nail and Say anything.

One of my favorite bands for sure, and nobody is reacting to them! Of course it had to be you, Chase, really enjoyed this. This is the one band of which I'm a fan and I can say I love all their ballads without shame =)

The neckbrace in Babymetal's "Headbanger" video is a tribute to X-Japan's drummer :)

If you can spare 40 minutes, listen to „Art of Life“. One of the best songs ever written. You don’t even have to make a reaction, even though it would be amazing, just... listen to it. And everything else from X Japan ;) We are X!

Oh my god I'm so glad you came across X-Japan. This band is one of the all-time great, but still criminally underrated. A TON of modern eastern as well as western bands owes them so much. Kurenai is one of my favourites but there are so many tunes I would recommend! Endless Rain, Art Of Life, Rusty Nail, Silent Jealousy, X, Dahlia, Crucify My Love...

ピアノからドラムいく時は止めちゃいかん。リアクションは最高。

I only recently discovered X Japan when The Last RockStars invited Band-Maid to open for them. Yoshiki (piano/drums) and Sugizo (violin/guitar) are in TLRS and also in X Japan. X Japan is categorized as a "Visual Kei" band, which is not so much a genre of music as a style of presentation. In this performance of 'Kuranai', X Japan's visual presentation is actually tame! You need to watch a sequence of X Japan concert videos starting from 1988 and going year by year up into the 2000's to appreciate their monumental visual impact on the Japanese music scene. Performances of 'Kuranai', 'Rusty Nail', "Endless Rain', etc. over the years show the look of the band evolving from crazy tall spiked hair and gigantic mohawks, outrageous make-up to wild Glam-Rock costumes, into almost tame Hair-Metal glitz. The visual evolution is amazing, but the music is a constant. As you can see, the packed stadium audience knows all the songs by heart and is pogoing and singing along the entire time. In Japan the members of X Japan are Rock Idols. they built a museum to commemorate Hide, the late pink haired guitarist in the red suit.

They had a special rule for their LIVE, fans weren't allowed to jump to the music because the last time they did, caused an actual earthquake in the neighborhood.

First row in their concert in Perú, only 3000 persons in a smal stage but was magical. So few know of them. Japanese traveled to Perú to have the oportunity to see them closer than in Japan concerts. I LOVE THEM!

so happy that you checked X Japan, that is very dramatic band. Yoshiki - piano and Sugizo - Violin are both classically trained from 4 yo. Sugizo original from Luna sea band, he is my favorite guitarist. He also have solo work and like to experiment with different music stiles, working with musicians from different countries... I was in Yoshiki classical solo concert when he was touring in Europe and was amazing. X Japan and Luna Sea are my big wishes to see live

Oooh, the greatest band of Japan and their greatest song. Gosh, childhood memories. I remember paying insane money for recordings of their concerts in Japan back then. Every time Yoshiki collapsed during that song, usually during this Acapella section. I really thought his drummer career was over when it was stated he can't play live anymore. And Hide, I cried when I heard of his death. He was such a lovable little devil. I really miss those days.

The singing of the crowd gave me the most goosebumps. Awesome band!

This is the band that got me to play music when I was 15 (that’s good solid 25 years ago). I was so sad when Hide (the previous guitarist) passed away. And too bad, they have been on hiatus for quite some years now. At least I was lucky enough to see them live once.

Can I just say, I love the person who requested this to you because they picked this version :) As much as I love the Last Live one this really deserves some attention, too and the violin at the beginning gets me every time - usually this part is played by hide, the guitarist who passed away. And they filled his spot so beautifully here. As you were talking about the quality: I feel like the 'decline' in quality is mostly a 'western' thing. Most asian, and especially Japanese bands I know of actually sound better live then on CD. Not only do they have fantastic sound engineers during their live shows, it's like you mentioned with the violin, you can hear all the raw and delicate emotions dripping from their souls through their instruments. I like a lot of western bands but I find this way more frecently with asian bands. Should you ever buy a DVD/Blu-ray: They are very expensive. My favorite lives are the Last Live from 1998 and the Aoi/Shiroi Yoru lives.

I've just discovered this song by pure chance. I'm normally listening to Powerwolf, Sabaton and Rammstein, but I've added 3 or 4 Japanese songs to the playlist, and Spotify was like "Hey kid, wanna try some J-Pop?". And so I've tried and it was totally worth it. I've had tears in my eyes at the end of the Remastered (2014) version of Kurenai on Spotify, so now I'm digging around :3

YOSHIKI (the drummer and the guy that the piano) does have a classical background!

X Japan is a legend in J-Rock/Metal music scene. I see everyone mentioned Yoshiki but i would like to mention Sugizo the violinist, he''s actually has a band which also well known : LUNA SEA. Go check them out, Gravity, I For You, In SIlence, Rosier are some of their hits.

More XJapan !! They have one of the most magical live performances ever. The crowd sings the entire song, it's mad !!

Sugizo is genius, Yoshiki is genius add Heath, Pata and you have a massive no words. I have been in the Tokyo Dome 50,000 for not only X Japan but also Sugizos other band Luna Sea!!

The pink haired guy was the original guitarist and the violinist stepped in afterwards.

The Drummer is the Piano player at the beginning and also the composer/writer The Violinist is one of the guitarists You mentioned hair. You need to see some of their older videos. Weekend or Rose of Pain There is a documentary DVD "We are X" you would probably like

Finally! Someone i follow doing X Japan. Can I recommend "I.V. (HD) - 10/12 2010.08.15 X JAPAN WORLD TOUR Live in YOKOHAMA" on youtube? The emotion in this performance gets me every time. If you look into what the song is about, it will make it all the more impactful. This band has been through some heavy sh*t

This is my favorite song of all time!! Hence my name. You NEED to watch their documentary We Are X! I highly recommend it. You have to check out their early stuff when their original guitarist HIDE and original bassist Taiji (who inspired me to learn bass) were still alive. Anything from their Blue Blood tour. They were always an amazing band. And Yoshiki-sama, is a musical god!!

next reaction for x japan: rose of pain, silent jealousy and if you like some sad and romantic songs: tears and endless rain

Great to see new people still finding their way to this legendary band. The songs, the artists, the stories, it's almost unreal. A not so old movie/documentary named We Are X might be interesting for you as well.

Guitarist on the screen is Hide, he suddenly passed away in 1998. But he was respected by member & huge fan. So even now he is still on the screen.

Oh yes! Super excited every time someone finds out about X Japan. Such a treasure. The story about this band.. there is nothing like it really and the music is very special too. Not much in this world gets me as passionate as when I get the chance to nerd out on this band and their story. After a couple of reactions please do make sure you watch the documentary We Are X.

The man with the pink hair and yellow guitar is the legendary Hide. (Hideto Matsumoto)

oh yes! X JAPAN, what a legendary band. Honestly if it wasn't for them I don't know how it would be the rock/metal scene in Japan nowadays.. They were a HUUUUGE influence for rock and metal in Japan.

They played pre COVID at Coachella in 2018. It was cast on RU-vid and they were excellent!

I think you are ready to go with ART OF LIFE, a 27 minutes masterpiece (live version)

I have experienced a lot of cool stuff in my life. But nothing has, and maybe never will be, as cool as seeing X Japan live.

I love this song, this band. Huge fan of Hide, the guitarist who passed away. The impact this band has on modern groups is immense. At the start Toshi yells out "Kurenai Da"; at the start of Akatsuki Su-metal yells out "Akatski Da". Babymetal's crossed arms in an X. The neckbrace, which Yoshiki wre fore years after he injured his neck headbanging. X is in the dna of today's artists. And they are still pure fire live

Wow! ... just wow!!!🤩😮 Frosty you are the man! And Chase that you for reacting to this I’ve heard their name in passing before but never looked at them to my utter shame and lose I now have another rabbit hole I must go down. We in the west really need to start getting to know more Japanese music there’s something definitely in the water over there that we are missed 🥺✌️

actually to make great tribute for their guitarist (hideto matsumoto), in their reunion concert at 2008 they make his hologram on the stage (long before tupac hologram in 2012) & ask 10 guitarist around the world to play on the stage (include guns & roses, limp bizkit etc). & when they make PV for OST SAW IV Called I.V. they put hide Guitar in that PV too . Owh btw all of them already had wax figures in madame tussaud too One of the best asian band from their era

The thing is, crowds in Japan at concerts are usually very calm and collected apart from cheers in between the songs, and they are singing this song aloud with the band! That's how you know this band is incredibly loved over there.

X Japan was (still is) a legend in Korea while I was growing up. Their visual has gotten old but not the music! Rip Hide!!

Like Nightwish, X can hit you right in the feels. They are The. Best. Band. Ever.

Yes the guitarist they keep showing on screen is Hideto "hide" Matsumoto, who passed away in 1998, he had his own solo career going on aswell by the name hide(hee-day). The streets of Tokyo were filled with grieving fans more than 50 000 people blocking the roads as Hideto was being set to sleep, some even made copycat suicides ( its unclear whether hide did a suicide or not, band members say it was an accident ). If you think these guys got crazy hair right now, you should look at them before 1997. 1997 a concert named Last Live, fittingly since they did disband at the time since the vocalist Toshi got brainwashed by a cult and harmed in different ways so he couldnt keep on with the band, Last Live became Hide's last performance with X Japan, The band also had bassist who did suicide in 2011 Taiji Sawada, but he was fired from the group during the 1990's, Yoshiki is the drummer, composer, lyricist, pianist and heart of the band. He has background as a skilled pianist but he started drumming his anger when his father killed himself when he was only 10 years old. Most of the songs reflect Yoshiki's struggles during life, Yoshiki was born with a weak body and many diseases, he was said to not have a very long life, Yoshiki exhausted himself with intense drumming and headbanging, hence why he is wearing a neckbrace, He also needs to take a lot of medications and syringes to make it through the pain nowadays since his body cant take it. X Japan reformed during 2008-ish when Toshi got away from the cult and contacted Yoshiki about reforming, There is a document made with Yoshiki called We Are X! it portrays the tragic backstory of the band and is very appealing in music and visuals. X Japan was said to be the best band if they would have been born in USA, said Gene Simmons and many other legendary metal and rock musicians, Yoshiki also made a comic with Stan Lee about himself. There is a timestamp at Japanese Rock music where they are categorized before and after X Japan and that speaks volumes. My personal favourite song which seems to be slightly forgotten is X Japan - Voiceless Screaming. Have a good one and hope you make more reactions of this amazing band. Thank you.

Goosebumps right! This is it right here. Fun fact, the pianist and drummer was the same dude!

X Japan is known for their very well and beautifully composed solo.

So nice to hear a "new" reaction for X Japan... love this band.... awesome reaction. Cannot wait to hear which one you react to next.

LMAO - Chase: "It's Making me very Calm." Yoshiki : "Hang on a second, Hold my beer." (BTW, not sure if you noticed, Yoshiki is the guy playing piano in the beginning, he's also the drummer) I was introduced to X by a girl in Okinawa when I was stationed there. Here's the song that got me into them, It's called "Weekend" and you'll have to watch this if JUST for the hair. (I promise even the hair is worth it.): ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-tAJKHSYFpL0.html

I almost crapped when I saw this video! X-Japan has been a favorite of mine for almost 20 years now! Thank you thank you thank you!!!!

Yoshiki, the pianist and drummer was requested to play for the current emperor when he took the throne. He's basically john lennon over there.

They're classic! I'm a fan since the 90s. Watching this again made me cry.

Kurenai is the most iconic metal song of Japan and X-Japan is the most iconic metal Band of Japan, simple as that. They are so so so huge in Japan, that when Hide (pink hair guy) passed away (suicide) triggered a wave of suicides among young people in Japan, such was the influence of Hide and the band on young people in the country.

Thumbs up for Chase! Yeah, I like this! Good call Frosty!

The drummer and leader once command dir en grey in their early days under east west records as producer.

Yoshiki, drummer and pianist, has done classical piano albums including one produced by George Martin. He moves in elevated circles. His scarf was once blown by the wind into Queen Elizabeth's face. He was a guest in the royal box at the Windsor Polo Cup. He was very embarrassed. Saiki from Band-Maid once appeared on his Japanese TV show, and had to sing one of his famous songs while he accompanied her on the piano. She was nervous as hell. Used to be a RU-vid video but I can't find it.

The pink haired guy who keep on showing on the screen is Hide. He is the lead guitar player and he passed away and leave a legacy then the one who replaced him as lead guitarist is Sugizo, the guy who also played the Violin. Sugizo is also currently on another band called Luna Sea. X-Japan and Luna Sea have a good relationship as bands that's I think because of Hide. Hide and Sugizo are friends since their long hair and heavy make up era. 😊 When Sugizo took his new role on X-Japan, of course there is a lot of pressure but he managed to get ahead all of that and become one of X-Japan's valuable members.

next reaction for x japan: - endless rain the last live - rusty nail the last live - Art Of Life Live at Tokyo Dome 1993 - Forever Love you should to react Hide - Dice - Pink spider

cool, not many people realize how great that is

This was one of my favorite songs back when I started listening to X Japan.

Just came across your reaction video and loved it! I discovered X Japan only last year and, yes, Kurenai was the song that made my whole family fall in love instantly. As today is the birthday of bandleader YOSHIKI, it's the perfect time for recommending more X Japan reactions! As the other commentators already suggested: Art of Life (1993.12.31 Tokyo Dome, 34:18 minutes), Jade, Dahlia (Dahlia Tour Final), Rose of Pain (acoustic version), Voiceless Screaming, Crucify My Love, Rusty Nail, Silent Jealousy. And, to get an impression about the late guitarist's (HIDE'S) oeuvre, please also check Drain from Last Live.

I was waiting for the moment when Chase realized that incredible pianist from the intro is also X Japan's drummer. Still waiting. 8D

Ohhhh yes, I’m so hyped 🤘🏻

Great reaction and another rabbit hole to explore. As most of the others have already mentioned, they were the biggest band in Japan for years and what inspired a lot of future bands (Babymetal is one). Sadly, a lot of Japanese music never made it out of Japan and now because of YT and reactors we are now able to see what was brewing in Japan for years and now is spilling out to the rest of the world for everyone's enjoyment.

Xjapan is the legend. I’m from Thailand Big fan of them for 23 years. I really like your reaction by the way 😊 Next time Let’s try Weekend or Rusty nail or X. 👍🏼👌😊

on this version, you hear more guitars than you see on the stage because there is playback of hide's (the guy you saw on the video panels) guitar from "the last live" show they had in december 1997, hide died just months later. i prefer listening to "the last live" version over this more recent show because TOSHl sounded even better on that show. i believe yoshiki (drummer and pianist) even brings hide's iconic yellow guitar and puts on the stage whenever and wherever x japan plays shows to this day

This throws me back 15 years when I found X Japan. Good reaction mate!

I don’t know why but his reaction is too cute. Too busy to react this music! So glad that you choose X JAPAN

"They must use a lot of hair product..." This is one of their latest performances from within the last 10 years or so. X-Japan has had a lot of ups and downs over the years. The story would make a good mini-series. The drummer/pianist and vocalist were childhood friends and formed a band to help the drummer deal with his father' suicide. Their bass player left amicably but many years later died after being arrested for behaving badly on an airliner. The lead singer was lured into a cult and quit, ending X-Japan in the mid 90's. Hide (Hee-Day), their lead guitar went on to become a huge star and after a drunken celebration for completing a recording session went home and tried to pop his sore shoulder back into place by hanging himself from a doorknob. That didn't go as planned and he was found dead by hanging the next day. X-Japan reforms every few years and does stuff. But the drummer, Yoshiki, has many side projects going, lives in L.A. now (Gene Simmons' next door neighbor), and is currently promoting his Classical piano world tour. X-Japan basically started Japan's "Visual Kei" style. Check them out in the mid eighties: the HAIR WAS TOTALLY OUTRAGEOUS! Two foot tall mohawks! Two foot tall spikes. No limits on hair color. Crazy Kabuki inspired make-up. Everything evolved and the costumes got wilder until the band members got tired of sustaining it.

Wow I may just stumbled on my new favourite channel. There are so many metal react channel but a few of them actually react to j-rock or j-metal. I always like seeing people discover the beauty of Japanese music

Kurenai is a CLASSIC!! Gene Simmons is quoted as saying, " If X Japan sung in English, that they would be the biggest band in the world!" Thought I'd mention that to a confirmed Kiss fan. Really, if it wasn't for X Japan, you wouldn't have the Japanese Invasion happening right now. I never heard of them until about 4 years ago when I watched a Documentary on them. Quite an interesting Doc too. Called "We Are X" from 2016.

They are touring again and I think even have a new album, but X Japan officially disbanded in 1997. The details for why are super shady, because the singer, Toshi, was "brainwashed" with violence and threats to leave the band. It even got so bad afterwards that he lost all his money and went bankrupt. But nobody knew that at the time, the circumstances and everything were only made known 10+ years later. And because they didn't want to continue without him they disbanded. This was also something like the death of Metal in mainstream Japan for about 15 years. Yoshiki, the drummer and pianist (this was his custom made see through piano by the way, it's kind of legendary in Japan), became probably the most influencial Japanese producer and composer, in and outside of Japan. He worked for example with Roger Taylor, KISS, etc and composed a theme for a Grammy or Emmy awards show. He has his own label and owns or owned multiple recording studios in Japan and the US. I think it's safe to say they are the Japanese equivalent to Iron Maiden or Metallica. They sold out Tokyo Dome, capacity 55 - 60k, 5 new years in a row in the early to mid 90s for example (isn't the performance from this video also Tokyo Dome?). Ask a Japanese Rock/Metal musician to name a Japanese band or artist they get their inspiration from and they'll probably say X Japan or one of the members. And, as a few comments already said, they are a big influence of Babymetal because their manager/producer is a big fan of them. The whole thing with the neckbrace is a Yoshiki hommage, he damaged his neck because of too much headbanging during their shows and always needed to wear a neckbrace when he performed live. The Su-metal solo song Akatsuki is also something like an X Japan hommage and apparently another Su solo, No Rain No Rainbow, has influences from X Japan's Endless Rain (don't know if the last two facts are true, it's something I've read a few times). But the most important thing: You think their hair are impressive? Watch a show from the early 90s. THAT'S impressive! ;)

Watched the documentary, first time even hearing of them. OMG! The talent is off the charts! Kind of obsessed right now.

just in case you missed it, the drummer is also the pianist and the leader of the band

Btw BABYMETAL'S Headbanger is a tribute to X-Japan!

Found out this amazing band back in early 90's when 'jealousy' was released and reached our shores here in Sabah, Malaysia. The Power and Speed Metal band with a heavy symphonic elements. Loudwire named them as the best Japan metal band in 2017. They are the founder of visual 'Kei' (western terms of Glam) and influenced many bands since....Must see their 'Last Live' concert at Tokyo Dome in Dec. 31, 1997. Check out their most played ballads (heavy on piano) like 'Endless Rain', 'Forever Love', 'Say Anything' 'Longing', 'Tears' and 'The Last Song'. Legend's

They are the godfather of almost all current Japanese metal bands., so to speak. Their influence has been huge . By the way ,the vocalist got trapped by a cult group later.

Thanks for picking X Japan. I'm a huge fan of theirs and yes they are still around. I'm sure someone has to have mentioned the We Are X Documentary, but just in case. Check it out.

thanx for this reaction .... WE ARE X 💙🙅‍♂

I'm sure you've seen plenty of comments about the impact X and specifically this song have had, but I have to reiterate this group and this song are almost genre defining for what Japanese Metal has grown to become.

Song choice is on fire this week! 🔥

マジで止め過ぎｗ まるでカツどん注文してかっ込まずにプレートにカツ取り出してナイフで一センチ角に切り刻んで口に入れながらそのたびにコメントしてるみたい(笑)

X Japan one of the top 3 Japanese metal bands, along with Galynarus & Versailles. Great reaction.

Please do more X Japan. They have crazy backstory, they broke up because the vocalist (Toshi) got brainwashed into joining a cult who did mental and physical harm to him and pushed him to disband the band. Few months later after this concert, Hide (pink haired guitarist) killed himself (either by accident or on purpose), Hide had solo career going on and had very different music style compared to X Japan. Yoshiki who is the pianist/drummer/composer and lyricist, has deep background, from when he was born doctors told his mother he wouldnt live very long, he had severe asthma and a fragile body, his father committed suicide when he was 10, he was already into classical music (piano) but his mother got him drums as a gift. He started drumming hard to comprehend the pain and sadness and anger due his father's passing, eventually after drumming so hard he had to wear a neckbrace and take medication, he was even collapsing on stage for the lack of oxygen, Yoshiki had surgery done to his neck/back few years ago, without it he would be paralyzed. Yoshiki composed a song for the Emperor of Japan and a song for the golden globe awards, Yoshiki had his own comic done by Stan Lee. X Japan was such a huge impact in Japanese society from their punk-ish crazy style to the music, since there wasnt a lot of that type of thinking in Japan back then, they have crazy musical influence in japanese rock, there is timeline where they say music is after X japan or before X japan, they started Visual Kei style, which then originated a lot of bands in japan. Yoshiki directed a documentary about X Japan called We Are X! Its one of the best documents ive personally seen, people from guns n roses, kiss , marilyn manson and other greatly known bands said that if X japan was to be born in USA or they would sing in english they were to be the biggest band in the world.

Just a note. I don't know if you realized that the guy playing the piano intro is actually the drummer, Yoshiki (who is also the main composer)!! Their best song is (hands down) The Art of Life. A 29 minute EPIC song, dealing with Yoshiki's suicidal tendencies after a personal tragedy, which is arguably the very first piece of symphonic metal ever composed. There is a live version on RU-vid, so I hope you get around to doing that at some point. Yoshiki's performance on the piano on that one, is something you don't want to miss, and one of THE best performances you'll ever see by anyone on that instrument! Cheers!

I love love LOVE that you love them! They are still around, and I had the pleasure if seeing them at Madison Square Garden and I cried like a baby lol. It was such an emotional high. Gene Simmons said himself that if this band was born in the states instead of Japan, they'd be the biggest band in the world. The drummer Yoshiki very good friends with Gene as well as other huge stars here in the States and Europe (hell he played a duet with Marilyn Manson for his cover of Sweet Dreams). He is also like the Tuomos of the group writing most of the material and is the brain/heart behind a lot of their work. He also is numb almost completely in his left hand (?), so the fact he plays piano so well is amazing. That being said, I highly recommend checking out their magnum opus, Art of Life (ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-OP6jEdUQeZg.html) is a roller-coaster of a song about suicidal thoughts, life, and pushing through. I have lyrics tattooed on me. Bear in mind, it is quite long (30mins) but worth every minute.

We were told by media that all of Japan was 100% , 24/7 , nothing but , die hard , teen pop band fans during the 80s 90s and still no mainstream cultural reporting.

Check out the We are X Japan dvd about the band 🤩 lots of tragedy behind this band. Love them!