---
title: "X JAPAN"
type: "MusicGroup"
url: "https://themetalnet.com/band/x-japan"
genre: "Heavy Metal"
country: "Japan"
formed: 1982
---

# X JAPAN

**X JAPAN** is a heavy metal band, from Japan, active 1982 to present.

X Japan  is a Japanese rock band from Chiba, formed in 1982 by drummer and pianist Yoshiki and lead vocalist Toshi. Starting as a predominantly power/speed metal band with heavy symphonic elements, they later gravitated towards a progressive sound with an emphasis on ballads. Besides being one of the first Japanese acts to achieve mainstream success while on an independent label, the group is widely credited as one of the pioneers of visual kei, a movement among Japanese musicians comparable to Western glam.

Biography source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/X_Japan

## Facts

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Name | X JAPAN |
| Genre | Heavy Metal |
| Parent genre | Heavy Metal |
| Origin | Tateyama, Japan |
| Formed | 1982 |
| Releases in catalog | 5 |

## Genres

[Heavy Metal](https://themetalnet.com/genre/heavy-metal) · [Power Metal](https://themetalnet.com/genre/power-metal) · [Speed Metal](https://themetalnet.com/genre/speed-metal) · [Progressive Metal](https://themetalnet.com/genre/progressive-metal)

## Line-up

| Musician | Instruments | Years | Status |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| [PATA](https://themetalnet.com/musician/pata) | Guitar | 1987 to present | Current |
| [SUGIZO](https://themetalnet.com/musician/sugizo) | Guitar, Violin | 2009 to present | Current |
| [Toshl](https://themetalnet.com/musician/toshl) | Lead vocals | 1982 to present | Current |
| [YOSHIKI](https://themetalnet.com/musician/yoshiki) | Piano, Drums (drum set) | 1982 to present | Current |
| [吉田良文](https://themetalnet.com/musician/band-167b41bf) | Guitar | 1985 to 1985 | Former |
| [TAIJI](https://themetalnet.com/musician/taiji) | Bass guitar | 1985 to 1992 | Former |
| [hide](https://themetalnet.com/musician/hide) | Guitar | 1987 to 1997 | Former |
| [Eddy](https://themetalnet.com/musician/eddy) | Guitar | 1985 to 1985 | Former |
| [heath](https://themetalnet.com/musician/heath) | Bass guitar | 1992 to 2023 | Former |
| [TOMO](https://themetalnet.com/musician/tomo) | Guitar | 1982 to 1985 | Former |
| [XENON](https://themetalnet.com/musician/xenon) | Guitar | 1985 to 1986 | Former |
| [堀功](https://themetalnet.com/musician/band-64a988e3) | Guitar | 1987 to 1987 | Former |
| [宇高光](https://themetalnet.com/musician/band-f010c1c6) | Bass guitar | 1985 to 1986 | Former |
| [徳応アツシ](https://themetalnet.com/musician/band-e95acc58) | Bass guitar | 1984 to 1985 | Former |
| [村上悟](https://themetalnet.com/musician/band-3ec433f6) | Guitar | 1986 to 1987 | Former |
| [泉沢裕二](https://themetalnet.com/musician/band-5f102607) | Guitar | 1982 to 1985 | Former |
| [高井寿](https://themetalnet.com/musician/band-b7aaa1b0) | Guitar | 1985 to 1986 | Former |

## Discography

| Year | Release | Type |
| --- | --- | --- |
| 1988 | [Vanishing Vision](https://themetalnet.com/album/0ec61330-5eaf-3b49-ae0c-b686a6bdf02b) | Album |
| 1989 | [BLUE BLOOD](https://themetalnet.com/album/e19eba92-e977-3153-b834-0715525a9eae) | Album |
| 1991 | [Jealousy](https://themetalnet.com/album/b9e15c68-02fa-3190-8169-fb1e587ecd64) | Album |
| 1993 | [ART OF LIFE](https://themetalnet.com/album/530b0a17-91b9-3802-8ca0-bd75e46608db) | Album |
| 1996 | [DAHLIA](https://themetalnet.com/album/ae98f146-4b0a-325e-80ed-34c6a0c19af6) | Album |

## Related bands

- [Metallica](https://themetalnet.com/band/metallica) (listened together)
- [DIR EN GREY](https://themetalnet.com/band/dir-en-grey) (listened together)
- [Rammstein](https://themetalnet.com/band/rammstein) (listened together)
- [the GazettE](https://themetalnet.com/band/the-gazette) (listened together)
- [Nirvana](https://themetalnet.com/band/nirvana) (listened together)
- [Black Sabbath](https://themetalnet.com/band/black-sabbath) (listened together)
- [Motörhead](https://themetalnet.com/band/motorhead) (listened together)
- [Stratovarius](https://themetalnet.com/band/stratovarius) (listened together)
- [Led Zeppelin](https://themetalnet.com/band/led-zeppelin) (listened together)
- [Deep Purple](https://themetalnet.com/band/deep-purple) (listened together)
- [Versailles](https://themetalnet.com/band/versailles) (listened together)
- [Red Hot Chili Peppers](https://themetalnet.com/band/red-hot-chili-peppers) (listened together)

## Official and external links

- facebook: https://www.facebook.com/XJapan
- metal archives: https://www.metal-archives.com/bands/X_Japan/2150
- youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/XJAPANpodcast
- x: https://twitter.com/XJapanOfficial
- spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/4VrqQQy6X0hlMtqY5gp6Wx
- deezer: https://www.deezer.com/artist/969
- apple music: https://music.apple.com/jp/artist/254545979

---

Source: [TheMetalNet https://themetalnet.com/band/x-japan](https://themetalnet.com/band/x-japan). Catalog data from MusicBrainz and Metal Archives. Full site index: https://themetalnet.com/llms.txt