FIRST REACTION X JAPAN (Kurenai) 🔥🥁🎤

[@spikey556]

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

[@gordonbell8728]

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

[@DavidBird-rg1cp]

I agree

[@beijingdongjing]

@@DavidBird-rg1cpAgree

[@hellioappollion552]

For me they are the biggest band in the world😊

[@evilphemt]

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

[@snowdoll3778]

i was just going to ask that :D

[@matthewarms3786]

He's lost a bit of speed on the running double kick patterns, but considering the nerve and tendinitis problems that was limiting his piano playing and drumming, the fact he can still go completely balls out for a 90-120 minute sets at his age is amazing. And since focusing on the Yoshiki Classical repitoire his identity as a piano soloist has really developed and you can clearly tell its Yoshiki after only a bar or two.

[@kurosumomo]

@@matthewarms3786 Not only speed, but also energy he had in his prime, he is still Yoshiki however. I would say, at this age piano suits him much better.

[@TheWiseGrif]

The clear body instruments tipped me off

[@shaunbaker3265]

And the violin player is one of the guitarists.

[@pamelabustos8376]

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

[@alexn4843]

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.

[@user-un-known]

Did you know KISS and X JAPAN performed together on stage last year? Together. For real. I was like, wait what!? Two legends together.

[@schelin1447]

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

[@jaykoons6236]

the Documentary was actually what got me to listen to X-Japan and really appreciate them more

[@cookiemobers5650]

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.

[@LightfingersKlepto]

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

[@draconidmike]

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

[@mirvaahonen8083]

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.

[@highspeedstrongstyle9061]

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.

[@steisen]

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.

[@marvomaniac318]

Yes, please. To this day one of the most, if not the single most emotional live performance I have ever seen.

[@janesully5971]

The Last Live is epic. Bit overlong (the cut), but still... We are X.

[@douglascampbell9809]

You have to do this song.

[@giselavaleazar8768]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/baPae3ybg5aAbdE

[@Jackaldog2000]

I Agree with this suggestion.... definitely do Endless Rain from the "The Last Live" concert. Last time Hide played with X Japan before his untimely death.

[@bestrongbekind4800]

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

[@arcyeo8111]

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

[@ChaseCarneson]

I appreciate the kind words

[@shirleybarclay5631]

😊best reaction I've seen.

[@karingeiger6148]

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.

[@cree_VI]

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

[@etoineschrdlu9382]

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.

[@shortrader]

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

[@aegonthedragon6341]

No so easy to rule the world with internal disputes and your members leaving and killing themselves.

[@RokuNyx]

@@aegonthedragon6341 Vocalist left because he got brainwashed by a cult. Hide committed suicide after the band broke up - and it is widely believed that his suicide was accidental as he was found doing the same thing Yoshiki (and the others including Hide) did to fix backpains aka - towel and doorknob, it is believed that Hide was drunk, tried the technique and subsequently died. The bassist Taiji also died after the band broke up and his death is quite odd in terms of how it happened. The band itself would have been huge world wide, but their US release kinda went bad, mostly because the US didn't take to kindly to foreigners back then.

[@movietimeateds69]

RIP Hide.

[@MeThorvald]

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

[@eveemooyt1070]

Yoshiki: drumer and piano. Sugizo: violin and guitar

[@BedMau]

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...

[@sumetal405]

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.

[@Cerotis203]

Please this right here. It will be like you never heard this song before when going to that version. Or the one in 1992 from The Verge of Destruction.

[@mariteszonio1719]

​@@Cerotis203 yes! 1992 they gave their all strength on that 3 days concert specially toshl

[@wren7830]

@@Cerotis203 yes I love d 3 days concert in 1992. They were all gave they all strength on that concert especially Toshl .

[@raymondwu4992]

@@wren7830 TAIJI, HIDE, TOSHI, YOSHIKI, PATA... REAL X JAPAN

[@yacchimbracket]

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

[@christhiancastillo1607]

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 =)

[@ChaseCarneson]

Glad I got to it and glad you enjoyed it.

[@vara_v]

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.

[@altariel1313]

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!

[@QazwerDave]

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

[@chrislean1013]

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

[@gregchapman5435]

RIP Hide

[@Oliveandcheese]

RIP hide

[@wtk297]

Rip Hide

[@katlynb.8051]

RIP Hide.

[@jusmina7953]

RIP Hide.

[@mymybalo]

RIP Hide

[@frowan]

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.

[@ion9909]

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.

[@passio-735]

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.

[@olgahein4384]

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.

[@Jackaldog2000]

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.

[@jhhh888]

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.

[@ashleycasseus7841]

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

[@doubledennis]

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.

[@Imorphien]

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!!!!

[@ChaseCarneson]

THANK YOU for supporting!!!

[@Egilkallig]

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

[@ChaseCarneson]

Amazing!!!

[@onetymebigtyme]

thats a YES!! :)

[@turbozed]

Also the clear piano shows up in some later BABYMETAL shows too

[@highspeedstrongstyle9061]

@@turbozed Moa and Yui pretended to play it a few times when the intro for Akatsuki changed I believe

[@highspeedstrongstyle9061]

Also the collapse they used to do at the end of live Headbanger performances

[@jessholy]

I am so glad you enjoyed this song! I've loved this band for a long time and this is a favorite song of mine. They are still around though a new album hasn't been released in a long time. I believe some of their more recent singles should still be in the iTunes store. Your reaction reminds me why I love X Japan so much!

[@jessholy]

Oh! And if you want more crazy audience participation, X or Endless Rain are great!

[@NippoN2kpp]

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

[@debbiep8997]

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

[@fmhwdt]

You looks really happy and enjoying the time of X JAPAN I am so glad.

[@giselavaleazar8768]

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

[@canpeksoylu9789]

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.

[@ozwaltz-painting7604]

I've requested this back then a few months ago, thank you for reacting to this

[@kai_henrik]

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

[@kai_henrik]

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.

[@GeneraIHide]

Love it. X Japan's Rusty Nail was my first exposure to Jrock. Remember the first time I heard it and first time really discovering Hide. Great video

[@michaelsicotte1543]

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 🥺✌️

[@kyokokamigiri3516]

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.

[@ChaseCarneson]

Wow! Talk about the power of fans :D

[@redityt5484]

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

[@jethrolai]

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

[@Edward-we9dl]

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

[@nyoman7087]

I love your reaction, especially because you also added your knowledge to everything you know about the music and the music instruments. Yes, X Japan are still around, and they have their official KZbin channel. Kurenai is one of my favorite songs! Thank you for noticing and taking some time to mention about Hide. Hide was one the band's most important members. May his soul rest in peace. His place now as one of the guitar players is taken by Sugizo, the one who also played the violin. It'd be great if you make more X Japan reaction videos. I'm subscribing right now!

[@chrisoleary1909]

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.): kzbin.info/www/bejne/qnKtfHuJjqujgpI

[@evilphemt]

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

[@flowersnaught9380]

You. I like your taste :)

[@matheuscarlos8091]

OMG, SILENT JEALOUSY LIVE, YESSSSS

[@matthewarms3786]

The Rose of Pain version from X Japan w/ orchestra 1990 is amazing. The classical and romantic influences of Yoshiki and Hide are front and center and Toshi's voice and hair were in fine form.

[@xravenx24fe]

I'm not even a huge fan of symphonic metal but Rose of Pain is an absolute masterpiece.

[@steevelecointe954]

You forgot Weekend!

[@kwifo]

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

[@nuguanugua5380]

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!

[@bigg2988]

I am surprised I had to go down this far down the comment list to find a suggestion of "Art of Life"! Is this some kind of "he is not ready" stuff that some NIGHTWISH fans use to pull? :)) Anyway, knowing Chase now, he IS damn ready, and he should just go for it - "Art of Life", nuff said...

[@steevelecointe954]

Yep, that one is a must. Amazing piano, drums, guitars, vocals (and hair), you’re in for a ride, Chase!

[@kimemerson5732]

EPIC!!!

[@edwinsaez82]

I second this. I think it's the greatest song ever composed

[@Libithina]

Art of Life is my favorite song of all time (please don't tell Bohemian Rhapsody I said this, they might get jealous "-.- ).

[@maki-0621]

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。

[@5s700]

外人のリアクターはこんな感じよ。音楽もアニメもいちいち止めて評論家ごっこする悪い癖がある。視聴しながら又は終わってから感想言うという発想が無い😅アタオカです

[@正和-b2t]

曲の途中で中断して良いけど、止め過ぎだよ　しかも唄のサビの途中で止めるなんて　歌の聞き方として最悪最低

[@beijingdongjing]

何言ってんだ、著作権の関係で頻繁に中断しないとbanされる

[@stygiansabyss]

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

[@ryoasuka7755]

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.

[@ChaseCarneson]

Yeah a few people mentioned this. Really nice reminder of his legacy and talent.

[@ryoasuka7755]

Kurenai from”The Last Live” we can see Hide's play. After that live X was split.

[@missberlinerblau]

I just watched your reaction to Nightwish and I was so excited to see hat you have reacted to X Japan as well! Your reactions are such a joy to watch. :)

[@2abug]

Ohhhh yes, I’m so hyped 🤘🏻

[@pandatrueno_cl]

The best reaction I've ever seen. X is amazing and I was born too late to enjoy them live, but you should keep reacting to their music!!!

[@ForestImp529]

Omg your face when they hit the metal piece was fantastic😂💖 Love that you love this!!! You should check out Rusty Nail!

[@brennt80]

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!!

[@ricksoares4662]

thx for reacting to one my favourite bands. XJapan and Hide love forever

[@raelmochizuki]

I'm a huge fan from 20 years, I went to see them live in 2011, seeing your react makes me feel very well, it is so honest!

[@rakjr6]

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 KZbin video but I can't find it.

[@autohmae]

She was so nervous, I do remember that !

[@crabuki1273]

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

[@ChaseCarneson]

Much appreciated

[@LaVitaNouva]

Watching people introduced to my favorite band is almost like getting new friend, glad you love it.

[@debrakurenai588]

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!!

[@karingeiger6148]

My favourite song too!

[@davidnesbit887]

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.

[@ThatShrimp4658]

I had forgotten about this band. Love it and, as always, great reaction :D

[@langadubazana]

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

[@ChaseCarneson]

This was special!!!

[@turbozed]

@@ChaseCarneson There are some songs where he goes from the drums to piano to back to drums mid-song. One I can think of off the top of my head is "Weekend" from their Last Live Tokyo Dome show. On KZbin you can find a 2-set of Rusty Nail and Weekend from the Last Live if you're looking for another X-Japan song to react to

[@andrewcarter1747]

Hell yes, X Japan! Not seen this version of Kurenai before, I think it might be my favourite. As for them still being around, they tend to get together for a few big concerts on a semi regular basis, and there's even a new album thats been recorded (though god alone knows when Toshi will release it).

[@steevelecointe954]

Blame Yoshiki for the delays... he’s never satisfied with what’s recorded!

[@saltwaterinsanity]

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

[@maxim]

Id give anything to hear them again live. And if possible at their peak. Awesome reaction!

[@jethrolai]

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

[@ionmyke]

Great reaction, subbed! I really enjoyed the more detailed breakdown, and yeah, X is friggin epic. So many excellent songs

[@etoineschrdlu9382]

"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.

[@simongagnon1024]

what lots of peoples don't know is that X JAPAN still holds MOST of stadium crowd attendances records in Japan History... it's mind blowing...

[@deanblumenthal9050]

that was boss, thanks mate love hearing new stuff...

[@ChaseCarneson]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@queenmandel5208]

Oh I really love your reaction. ❤️ I haven't listen to XJapan in a long time because I get sad every time, especially when I think about the last live. But now I think I'm getting ready to do it again😊

[@nishiki6848]

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

[@NerdChannelBrasil]

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.

[@YeeKokKeong]

Say Anything by X Japan too, the raw emotions displayed in the song. They are good at ballad too you know, beautiful renditions of it.

[@poetryonplastic]

Saw these guys play at Madison Square Gardens about 6 years ago, their show is a ton of fun. But really I think their best stuff was 88-91 when their entire approach from visuals to musical blend was brand new. I would kill to be able to see them during that heyday.

[@ChaseCarneson]

So jealous

[@audiblezero]

The lead guitarist, Sugizo, is also a member of Luna Sea. They broke up in 2000, but reunited and are touring. Their latest album came out in 2019. And both X Japan and Luna Sea are good friends dating back to the beginning of the Visual Kei movement (punk meets metal).

[@bigridefpv688]

Actually luna sea is not broke up, officially they call it "close the curtains" Or i can say hiatus..

[@audiblezero]

@@bigridefpv688 I said, broke up in 2000. They did reunite in 2007 and 2008 for reunion shows, but officially reunited in 2010. Their 2019 album hit the top of Japan's charts. Subsequent tour plans were moved to 2021 due to COVID-19. Source: natalie.mu/music/news/376292 So, yeah, technically, on hiatus.

[@douglascampbell9809]

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

[@Katirin89]

omg X Japan, throwback to my teenage years :D They have one song that's literally about 30 minutes long (I think the name was Art of Life). That is awesome even though it's so long.

[@ChaseCarneson]

I've been warned about this beast.

[@mmnn-qf4db]

glad you liked it, i've been listening on to this band since elementary school which is over 20 years ago LOL, x-japan, malice mizer, gackt etc2 are always on my playlist, i've been stopped listening to new release song since i knew this vis-kei japanese and

[@Karnsteinchen]

Think I still have some X-Japan Shirts lying around somewhere in my closet with Hide on it. Def. still have the Last live DVD set, the one concert DVD I will never part with. Didn't listened to them back when the original setup was active (too young), but a female friend of mine who listened a lot of visual kei music introduced me to them back in the early years of the new millennium. Been a fan of them since then

[@EmperorKnives]

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

[@duncandonovan961]

Kudos to every music teacher these guys ever met.

[@markmark6378]

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.

[@glenkelley6799]

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.

[@ANDOR-]

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! ;)