Features
X Japan Still Big In Japan
Though
The concerts were mainly noted by two events. The first was a 12-minute drum solo by leader Yoshiki, who has been warned to avoid such strenuous workouts since he underwent back surgery last year. Wearing a neck brace, Yoshiki reportedly performed the “hyper-speed” solo at 800 beats per minute, and on a 10-meter-high revolving stage.
The second big event was the participation of Toshi, X Japan’s original bassist who left in 1992 after the group’s third album because of “musical differences.” Toshi is usually credited with creating the group’s striking costumes and hairstyles, which basically ushered in the visual-kei movement.
The show reportedly costs 1 billion yen ($11.7 million) to stage. The band will start the North American leg of its world tour Sept. 25 at the Wiltern Theater in Los Angeles. The venues will be much smaller than the ones X Japan plays in Japan.