^___^ X Japan ^___^

X Japan (エックス ジャパン Ekkusu Japan?) is a Japanese heavy metal band founded in 1982 by Toshimitsu "Toshi" Deyama and Yoshiki Hayashi.[2] Originally named X (エックス), the group achieved their breakthrough success in 1989 with the release of their second album Blue Blood. They started out as a power/speed metal band and later gravitated towards a progressive sound, at all times retaining an emphasis on ballads. Their sound is extremely raw, sometimes countered by the incorporation of classical style piano passages and vocal melodies. They have well-developed percussion parts and often use harmonized guitar riffs and solos.
Besides being one of the first Japanese acts to achieve mainstream success while on an independent label,[3] the group is widely credited as one of the pioneers of the visual kei movement. They were known in their early years for their excessively large hairstyles resembling fountains, but toned these down in later years. As of 2010, the band has sold over thirty million records and over two million home videos.
After sixteen years, four albums, and selling out the 50,000 seat Tokyo Dome 18 times, X Japan disbanded in 1997. The band did not perform or record any material for another 10 years. However, in 2007, the band reunited and performed live for the first time since their break-up. After performing concerts throughout Asia from 2007 to 2009, the band performed their first North American tour from September 25 to October 10, 2010. They also plan to release their first studio album in more than 14 years in 2011.

Members:

As with numerous other Japanese bands, the members of X Japan are usually credited with their given or stage names.

Toshimitsu "Toshi" Deyama (出山利三 Deyama Toshimitsu?) – vocals (1982–1997, 2007–present)
Yoshiki Hayashi (林佳樹 Hayashi Yoshiki?) – drums, piano, leader (1982–1997, 2007–present)
Hideto "Hide" Matsumoto (松本秀人 Matsumoto Hideto?) – lead guitar, backing vocals (1987–1997)†
Tomoaki "Pata" Ishizuka (石塚智昭 Ishizuka Tomoaki?) – rhythm guitar (1987–1997, 2007–present)
Hiroshi "Heath" Morie (森江博 Morie Hiroshi?) – bass, backing vocals (1992–1997, 2007–present)
Yūne "Sugizo" Sugihara (杉原有音 Sugihara Yūne?) – lead guitar, violin, backing vocals (2008–present)

Fromer members :

Although hide is deceased, the band still considers him a member and introduces him at every concert.
Taiji Sawada (沢田泰司 Sawada Taiji?) – bass, backing vocals (1985, 1986–1992)
Isao – guitar (1987)
Satoru Inoue (井上悟 Inoue Satoru) – guitar (1986)
Masanori "Kerry" Takahashi (高橋雅則 Takahashi Masanori) – guitar (1986)
Hikaru Utaka (宇高光 Utaka Hikaru) – bass (1985–1986)
Hisashi "Jun/Shu" Takai (高井寿 Takai Hisashi) – guitar (1985, 1986)
Mita "Zenon" Kazumitsu (三田一光 Kazumitsu Mita) – guitar (1985–1986)
Yoshifumi "Hally" Yoshida (吉田良文 Yoshida Yoshifumi) – guitar (1985)
Kenichi "Eddie Van" Koide – (小出健一 Koide Kenichi) guitar (1985)
Atsushi Tokuo – bass (1984–1985)
Tomoyuki "Tomo" Ogata – guitar (1984–1985)
Yuji "Terry" Izumisawa (泉沢裕二 Izumisawa Yuji) – guitar (1982–1985)†

Discography:

Blue Blood

Celebration
Easy Fight Rambling
Endless Rain
Kurenai (in Album Blue Blood)
Orgasm
Prologue (world Anthem)
Rose Of Pain
Unfinished
Week End
X
Xclamation

Dahlia

Crucify My Love
Dahlia
Drain
Forever Love (acoustic Version)
Longing
Rusty Nail
Scars
Tears
White Poem I
Wriggle

Jealousy

Desperate Angel
Es Dur No Piano-sen (es Dur Piano Solo)
Joker
Love Replica
Miscast
Say Anything
Silent Jealousy
Stab Me In The Back
Voiceless Screaming

Vanishing Vision

Alive
Dear Loser
Give Me The Pleasure
Kurenai
Phantom Of Guilt
Sadistic Desire
Un-finished...
Vanishing Love