X-Japan

The music of X-Japan is an eclectic mixture. The band's repertoire ranged from soft and tearful ballads like "Crucify My Love" and "Endless Rain" to more shocking and hard-driving speed metal numbers such as "Rusty Nail" and the 12-minute "Rose of Pain." Formed in Japan in 1982 as simply X, the group lengthened its name within several years, partly to reflect a change of style that was beginning to become more internationally oriented, as well as a change from its original lineup.



X was formed by vocalist Toshi, aka Toshimitsu Dayama, and pianist and drummer Yoshiki, aka Yoshiki Hayashi. Though not even teenagers at the time, they managed to draw some attention to their heavy metal music. Before long they had added three additional members. The newcomers were lead guitarist Hide, aka Hideto Matsumoto, guitarist Pata, aka Tomoaki Ishizuka, and bassist Taiji, aka Taiji Sawada. Early in 1985, the band independently issued "I'll Kill You," its debut single. Yoshiki, with a bankroll from his mother, established Extasy Records in 1986 with the sole intent of issuing only the band's recordings, and soon they put out "Orgasm." Heath, aka Hiroshi Morie, stepped in and took over on bass for Taiji in 1992. The band received little recognition outside of their local area before signing with Sony in 1989 and releasing Blue Blood, which launched the single "Endless Rain."

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