X Japan, the legend of Visual Kei, had come back to France on the stage of the J.E Live House in 2010 and this year they give a conference on June 30, before their live in Paris on July 1st!
Conference on Thursday on the main stage!

Formed in 1982, X Japan is the biggest band in Japan rock history. Their popularity has spread throughout Japan, throughout Asia and Europe, and now is about to explode in the US!

Thanks to their music mixing heavy metal to soft piano ballads, X Japan has sold over 30 million albums, singles and videos to this day! The band owes their success to their unique musical sound and mind-blowing sense of fashion. They are credited as the pioneers of the Visual Kei movement who has many fans today.

Credits: japan-expo

X Japan has just completed its career-first run of Europe, achieving a years-long goal of playing to their European fans. The band sold out shows in London, the Netherlands and Germany (which had to be moved to a larger venue), and packed the near-6,000-seat Paris venue. According to Yoshiki, "The audience response was more than we ever could have imagined, the fans went crazy from the beginning of the shows, and it just got more and more intense as the nights went on. At the show in the Netherlands, the fans got so excited, the barricade in front of the stage was broken through. By the end of every concert, everyone ­ the band and the fans ­ were absolutely elated."

At the sold-out London show, the lines to get in went around the block, people stood in line to buy tickets in case any became available (none did), and X Japan broke all merchandise sales records for the venue, a feat they also accomplished last October when they headlined the sold out Roseland Ballroom in New York.

The press who came out to the London show were just as captivated by the show as were the fans. One journalist said it was "...one of the best shows we have ever been lucky enough to witness...truly magnificent," while a reporter from the BBC was jumping and crossing her forearms to make the "X" sign along with everyone else ­ an expected activity at all X Japan concerts during the band's signature song, "X."

Credits: yoshikinet

"JADE," X JAPAN'S BRAND NEW SINGLE,
TO BE RELEASED IN ASIA TODAY
DEBUTS AT #1 ON JAPANESE iTUNES

"Jade," the long-awaited new single from X Japan, has been released in Asia today, July 13, and debuted at #1 on the Japanese iTunes' Top Singles and Top Rock Chart charts. "Jade" is the first track from the band's upcoming album, currently in the final stages of recording.
Released in North America, Europe, and South America on June 28, "Jade" has charted on the iTunes Rock charts in the U.S., UK, Switzerland, the Netherlands, Italy, and Austria. In addition, the track scored Top 10 positions on the iTunes Rock Charts in France, Germany and Finland, and was #1 in Spain and Sweden. "Jade" also charted on iTunes' overall Top Songs charts in Spain, Sweden, France, and Finland.
Written and produced by Yoshiki and mixed by Andy Wallace, "Jade" was recorded in both Japan and at Yoshiki's Los Angeles studio, the same studio where Metallica recorded its classic Black album before Yoshiki bought it and turned it into a private facility.
The song features the thunderous drums and bass of Yoshiki and Heath, respectively, the searing twin guitar work of Pata and Sugizo, and Toshi's dynamic vocals. With most lyrics sung in English, "Jade" is a hauntingly romantic tale of embracing the beautiful sadness of death, and showcases X Japan's eclectic mix of rock, goth and classical music.
"We are very excited to make 'Jade' available in Asia," said Yoshiki, "and are thrilled by the inroads we have made with it in countries around the world, most we've never even been to."

Credits: yoshikinet

In light of the news that former X Japan bassist Taiji Sawada had passed away over the weekend, former bandmate Yoshiki has released a statement.

Yoshiki [drums, piano for X Japan]:

"Receiving the news of Taiji's death has left me speechless. I don't know how to cope with the loss yet. Playing at the Nissan Stadium together last year brings memories as it was yesterday. To imagine what the fans are feeling right now breaks my heart. But that is the reason why we have to stay strong. X Japan will have to carry on with not only Hide, but Taiji as well in our hearts. May the amazing bassist Taiji rest in peace."

The Nissan Stadium gig he refers to was played last August in Japan. Taiji joined the band onstage for a couple of songs, but has not been a member of the band since 1992. Hide was the band's lead guitarist up until his tragic death in May of 1998. Sawada played with Yoshiki in X Japan in 1985 and then again from 1986 to 1992. The late bassist played on pivotal X Japan albums like 'Blue Blood' [1989] and 'Jealousy' [1991] before both parties parted ways.

Credits: noisecreep

LOS ANGELES, June 29, 2011 -- Stan Lee, Chief Creative Officer of POW! Entertainment, music superstar and humanitarian Yoshiki, and world renowned comic book artist Todd McFarlane will unveil the debut issue of the highly anticipated comic book series Blood Red Dragon at Comic-Con International on Thursday, July 21, 2011.

Lee, McFarlane and Yoshiki, on whom the comic's central superhero is based, will present the first installment of Blood Red Dragon, which features a surprise and first-of-its-kind publishing innovation that combines the unique skills of these three world-renowned artists. Lee, McFarlane, and Yoshiki will join established and respected comic book writer Jon Goff in a panel discussion at the Hilton San Diego Bayfront hotel in the Indigo room on Thursday, July 21st from 1pm-2pm, followed by press interviews from 2-3:30pm

Credits: yoshikinet

Setlist

 

Jade
Rusty Nail
Silent Jealousy
Drain
Kurenai
Born To Be Free
I.V.
X
-
Endless Rain
Art Of Life

X Japan are a household name in many countries and one of the most successful and influential bands in Japanese history. Following their American debut at Lollapalooza in 2010 the band played the biggest concert in the bands history selling out Japans 140,000 seat Nissan stadium for TWO consecutive nights. As if the bands acheivements weren't proof enough, Yoshiki alone can boast enormous personal success. Not only has he produced some of Japans biggest bands including Dir en grey and Glay, but at the request of the Japanese government, Yoshiki composed a piano concerto and perfromed it with a 77 piece orchestra at the celebration of Japans Emperors 10 year reign. Even great comic writer Stan Lee has announced that he's creating a superhero based on him. With such huge, worldwide accolade it came as no surprise to discover the bands first ever performance in the UK completely sold out at Londons 2000 capacity 'Shepherds Bush Empire'. 

 The queue outside the auditorium reaches far and wide around the streets of Shepherds Bush. The atmosphere even out here, an excited buzz as the thousands wait eagerly to be let in, including a multitude of fans dressed as their idols in highly detailed costumes for what was to become one of the best shows we personally have ever been lucky enough to witness.
After the lengthy process of getting the guests into the building and a brief set from 'Japanese Voyeurs', the audience in its entirety are screaming for the band. A multitude of glowsticks in the form of an 'X' shining brightly throughout the crowd until finally the band appear onstage. Yoshiki's stage presence oozes regality, as he stands at his drumkit observing the audience while the band prepare and the audience go wild
 After the orchestral opening, the band go straight into their newly released single 'JADE', the loud screams of the audience reaching the ceilings and beyond. Vocalist TOSHI's voice emanates elegance, which you wouldn't necessarily expect from first glance, while guitarists SUGIZO, (also of Luna Sea) & PATA, and bassist HEATH throw themselves full force into their performance, full of energy as the intensity builds with each second that passes.
One of the most astounding things that becomes increasingly apparent during the course of the evening is just how talented every musician in this band really are. There are many truly masterful displays of guitar prowess, backed by some truly impressive drumming and Toshi's powerful pipes. As if that wasn't enough, Yoshiki proves his skill doesn't end with drums. Classically trained in Piano, he impresses with beautiful interludes on a crystal grand piano throughout, not to mention an accomplished violin solo from the multi-talented SUGIZO, which even includes excerpts from‘The Godfather’ theme, playing with such an amazing skill, that touches the hearts of many.
With not only talent, it would appear that drummer YOSHIKI also has a great sense of humour, declaring his desire for some PG Tips causes a cheer of laughter before breaking into “Born To Be Free” on the piano, to which the audience to go wild. Toshi’s vocals are ethereal in splendor as the audience sing alongside him with all the energy they have.
The performance as a whole is filled with emotion for both fans and band alike. Glancing around it's always easy to spot at least one person in tears, or friends with hands gripped so tightly together in the air that their knucles are white; even the excited calls of the band members names come regularly at the end of each song.
After Yoshiki tells the audiuence that former X member, HIDE (Hideto Matsumoto) -who sadly passed away in 1998- is there playing with them tonight, the entire audience suddenly begin to chant ‘hide’, until the band break down in an emotional display. Yoshiki himself then admitting that the audience made him cry, before going into a truly heart rending version of ‘Endless Rain’. The entire crowd sings along at Toshi’s request, even when the band stop playing, overcome with emotion, the audience sing on softly, in unison. It was a true honour to be a part of such an experience. A moment where both band and audience felt truly bonded together.
In years to come there will probably be thousands upon thousands claiming to have attended this first monumental performance in the UK, but for all those actually lucky enough to attend I'm sure it will be something they'll never forget . With music that's not only masterful, but beautiful, and a performance filled with energy and emotion, it's not hard to see why X JAPAN have inspired so many of Japan's great bands today, and will probably continue to do so for years to come. If there's one thing each person should do in their lifetime, it's catch this band live. Truly Magnificent.