I don't know man, I had a lot of japanese friends saying that about Hide and he had quite a following when he went solo. Tbh I didn't follow them after the reunion so I think you know way more than I do Calc ;)

Album Rating: 4.0

He was universally loved by other bands (despite X Japan being hard to work with, typical 'rockstars') and as you said quite a following when he went solo, but in terms of a creative standpoint Yoshiki will always be the figurehead and Toshi has such a distinct voice it's impossible to replace (plus with what Yoshiki has been through with him, I don't think he'll continue the band if he goes). He wrote 5/9 songs on Vanishing Vision, 8/13 on Blue Blood, 4/10 on Jealousy, all of Art of Life and 7/10 on Dahlia plus forced Toshi to sing like he did on Vanishing Vision despite being harmful to his voice and told Taiji to leave the band for disagreeing with the direction he was taking the band.



Your friends probably know way more than I do since I live in the UK but all of that taken into consideration in terms of a creative force and promotion I don't see why Yoshiki is the heart of the band, despite the popularity hide had.

Well Yoshiki and Toshi started the band and I think the first record(s)? were released in Yoshiki's label if I am not wrong. On the other hand, Hide had such a strong presence and personality that it may have been what really stuck in their japanese fan base. It doesn't matter that you are in the UK, Calc, you clearly know about the band. My friends are all drunk shameless otakus so I wouldn't trust their opinion on the subject :]

Album Rating: 4.0

Yeah they were released on that label too. That maybe the case, he's very well respected anyway but we can't really say how much comparatively since we haven't lived through it (I assume you're not in you're late 30's or higher). When Buck-Tick cover a song by you then you've earned some serious respect as a musician in the VK or Japanese Rock Scene. Haha touche, I wouldn't say I know a huge amount this band like I do with Buck Tick or Dir en Grey but I love them

I am almost 40 my friend ;)

Album Rating: 4.0

Oh damn sorry for assuming, I'm only 21. Pretty jealous you're in Japan , if just for the fact it means I don't get the proper experience of being a fan of these bands like you have the possibility too.

No worries my man. I arrived in japan when i was 30, it is a wonderful place to live, i can tell you that. If you are a fan of japanese music and culture this would be like wonderland for you. With 21 you have so many options to make your way here dude!

Album Rating: 4.0

I wouldn't like to live in Japan tbh despite how much I like the music and some aspects of its culture. It's attitude and aspects of their work life and general social attitudes really isn't my cup of tea at all plus learning the language would drive me insane. Despite that, I'll want to visit there one day and I'll continue to support the bands from thousands of miles away.

Album Rating: 3.5

Dewinged, you're living in Japan? That's cool dude! I've been to Tokyo before. Always seemed like a cool place to live, a little bit too hectic for me lol, but it was really fun.



Great band, by the way.

Yeah man, I lived 3 years in Tokyo, it was insane, miss the great city. I live in Osaka now, which is great too, but a bit less busy.

Album Rating: 3.5

No kidding, I was there for a few weeks. I'm familiar with most major cities in the NE, but Tokyo was something else man. Fun experience and I would absolutely go again. Osaka? haven't been there, but that's cool dude, hope you're enjoying your stay. My Japanese is awful, but thankfully my wife is half foreign! lol. I'll have to ask her about Osaka, she probably knows about it. Her Parents and a good chunk of her family are from Japan.

Oh nice! Osaka, Kyoto and Kobe they are all pretty close so living in Kansai is great man. It took me a while but finally I can say I am fluent in Japanese. Still working my reading and writing, that's smth else Jeff. Well, if you ever come around again hit me up man!

Album Rating: 3.5

Absolutely dude, that's great man! My wife is/was the tour guide..watching me speak Japanese is too embarrassing, so I kind of nod and do polite hand gestures when I'm trying to speak to folks lol. Reading and writing it? Well, that's completely out of my league...good luck!! I'd imagine that'd take me a lifetime to figure out.

8 years on the matter. Still no clue. ;)

Album Rating: 3.5

Keep playing street fighter.. it will all make sense, eventually. Ha, dude I just don't understand it at all my american brain does not compute.

there was a super rad x japan song my old buddy used to play all the time. i could never find the song though, it just doesn't exist mannnnn

Album Rating: 4.0

Hey Dewinged, how did you make your way there in Japan? I too have visited, but it was for short student exchange. I'm always interested in seeing the different ways people make it around the world.



Also what part of Spain are you from? I have lots of family from a town near Avila.

Album Rating: 4.0

Also budgie man, X Japan have a hell of a lot of rad songs, maybe you should check them out more ;)

Yo Run, I was working for a videogam company in Canada and they opened a position in Tokyo for a new office, I applied and fortunately got it.

I'm from the south man, a coast town called Malaga, beautiful city. Avila is awsm man, I visited some years ago too.

Album Rating: 4.5

The riff on Scars is spectacular. Wish this could just be the final X album, the new one is gonna suck, and at the very maximum be a 2