Review: This is the band that started it all. Love them or hate them, one cannot deny that the face and sound of extreme Japanese Rock would not be what it is today without X [Japan] first laying the ground work. With such contemporary superstars as Gackt, Hyde, Pierrot, Luna Sea, (and pretty much any other band whose members have ever found themselves getting “liberal” with the face paint and squealing guitars) claiming X [Japan] amongst their influences, it is easy to see the lasting impact that this band of five have forged over the years. Forming in 1985 and lasting till 1997, X [Japan] not only spawned the “Visual Kei” genre, or “Visual Rock”, but an entire sub-culture of fashion icons which continue to evolve to this very day. And now, Tofu Records has captured the raw energy and powerful emotion of X [Japan] in the form of “Best”, a DVD/CD combo that they consider to be the band’s greatest works.

Now I’m going to level with you. If you are not already a fan of X [Japan], there is a small chance that you might consider the whole thing to be a bit on the “cheesy” side. I say that with the utmost respect for these guys, but their earlier stuff hasn’t exactly dated well. To any red blooded American kid that might have grown up in the 1980’s, and does not have a pre-existing familiarity with the genre, their whole shtick might come across as being overly reminiscent of the many American and British “hair bands” of the age. These lads managed to take it to the next level, though, with a look that would put bands like Motley Crue and Twisted Sister to shame. Only after milking that image for as long as they could, did X [Japan] cut their electrifying locks, opting for a more contemporary look; a move that would prove disturbing for the many diehard fans that had come to associate the band with their rebellious manes.

A Final milestone for the band would come shortly after their official disbanding in 1997. For reasons unknown, Hide, the lead guitarist of X [Japan], and considered by many to be the most outrageous member, took his life on May 2nd 1998. This tragedy shocked the nation to the point where Hide’s band mates were compelled to make a public announcement, asking that fans not follow in his foot steps. Truly a tragic final chapter for one of Japan’s most beloved rock acts.

Despite the grim closure though, the memory of the band endures and this exciting new release is living proof. On disc one, you get to take a walk down memory lane. Well, most of us were not there the first time through, so this is going to be more like a trip to the musical side of the twilight zone.

Pyrotechnics, rebellion, whiskey, pointy guitars, androgyny, excessive amounts of make-up, thrashing riffs, clear, plastic, grand pianos, and songs about killing people. Those are just a few of the things that are in store for those adventurous souls looking to relive that spirit of yesteryear. The eight videos contained in this set perfectly represent X [Japan] during the age that solidified their place in the annals of Japanese rock history. Through the wonders of DVD we are taken on a journey back to an age before the multi-million dollar music videos, and a time where how hard you rocked was gauged by how many cans of hair spray you used. The themes and imagery of the video portion of this release run the gamut from the band’s signature, over the top live performances, to psychedelic visions of child abducting, gender bending witches. The companion CD covers many of the same songs found on the DVD with the addition of 4 more favorites that are sure to please.

CD Tracks:
1. Kurenai
2. Joker (Live)
3. BLUE BLOOD
4. ENDLESS RAIN
5. Miscast
6. Celebration
7. Love Replica
8. XCLAMATION
9. WEEK END (LIVE)
10. Silent Jealousy
11. X (LIVE)
12. Say Anything

DVD Tracks:
1. X
2. Kurenai
3. ENDLESS RAIN
4. WEEK END
5. CELEBRATION
6. Silent Jealousy
7. Joker
8. Say Anything