Sponichi has reported that after a ten year break and the death of their lead guitarist hide, X Japan will once again take to the stage.
The article states that founder Yoshiki summoned former vocalist Toshi to Los Angeles to work on a hide-tribute track titled “Without You” (originally released instrumentally on Yoshiki’s first album) during November 2006. After an emotional recording session the two felt that “the puzzle pieces just fit,” and decided to officially reunite the band.
Yoshiki is said to be in talks with guitarist Pata and bassist Heath regarding the reunion, with hopes to feature the band lineup circa the band’s final performance. While nothing has been set in stone, the tentative touring lineup is Yoshiki, Toshi, Pata, Heath, and roughly 10 guest guitarists who will perform hide’s parts during various songs in the set.
Current information indicates that X Japan’s tour will begin near Yoshiki’s home of Los Angeles, with the Toshi-sung single release of “Without You” due sometime this year.
Regarding the reunion, Yoshiki stated the following: “After hide’s death most fans were split between two extreme opinions, either ‘you reunite and I’ll kill you’ or ‘if you don’t reunite I’ll die.’ I had trouble making the decision and for a while I wasn’t able to move forward. This reunion is actually a first for me as well.”
Yoshiki is obviously a very busy man.
