Once again I am blown away to learn of a fantastic sounding
band that I’d never heard or even heard of before. How is it that bands like
this are ignored by the mainstream companies here in the US? Rather than blame
low sales on downloads and music sharing they should consider the fact that
they tend to hang on to outdated acts while ignoring new ones. That this band
could have been popular around the world since the 1980s and never made it big
here in the states astounds me.
The band being discussed is X Japan, formed in 1982 by
drummer/composer Yoshiki and vocalist Toshi. The film opens with their
preparations to perform at Madison Square Garden in 2014. As they prepare for
the show we are presented with interviews, mostly with Yoshiki, talking about
his life and what drew him to perform and create music. Faced with the tragic
news of his father’s suicide as a child he talks of how that was the catalyst
to change his life.
The band wasn’t hugely successful the first year it was
formed but a growing following developed and by 1989 they were a huge hit.
Sales of their albums around the world was in the millions. But never here in
the US. That didn’t stop them from achieving the popularity they did worldwide.
But they still dreamed of making it big here.
The story of the band is marked with tragedy as well as
success. Where most documentaries about bands deal with the excess of success,
the overabundance of drugs and women and loss of fortune due to spending, none
of that is visible here. Instead we’re presented with a story of the
individuals in the band focusing mostly on its founders. The others are
discussed as well but it is the things that happened in the lives of these two
that mostly led the band to the path they traveled.
Yoshiki’s life was filled with tragedy at various points.
His health has always been an issue as well. Dealing with asthma he often
collapses on stage his performances are so physically demanding. Oxygen tanks
are kept on hand just to help him recover. He wears a neck brace for injuries
sustained while performing. He has carpal tunnel and wears a wrist band. And
yet he plays like a whirling dervish, amazing to witness.
Toshi had his own demons to deal with. A fantastic rock
singer (who reminded me of Klaus Meine of Scorpion fame) there came a time in
his life when Toshi met and fell in love with a woman he eventually married.
What he didn’t know was that she was part of a cult that slammed the music of X
Japan and that they successfully pulled Toshi away from the band causing it to
break up. This led to more tragedies I won’t discuss, instead leaving them for
those who choose to watch the film to learn of on their own.
The intersecting lives of these two men formed the basis for
some amazing rock music, orchestral at times and pulsating as well. After
watching the film I found myself wanting to do something I haven’t done in
years, visit a record store in search of music by this band. Knowing the story
behind the scenes makes their music even more touching.
The film includes not just behind the scenes footage of the
band and performances new and old but comments and discussions with others who
enjoy the band. Fans fill the frame multiple times here. Stan Lee, who created
a comic with Yoshiki is here as are Marilyn Manson and Gene Simmons who
proclaims had they made it in the US they would have been the biggest band
ever. It is a fascinating documentary on the biggest band you never heard of
and well worth investing time in.
Extras on the blu-ray include deleted scenes, deleted
interviews, Sugio Yoshiki on WE AR X, a performance of “Forever Love” from
their last live performance (the original lineup), a performance of “Kurenai”
from their last live performance (the original lineup) and “Born to be Free”, a
fan video.
This is a movie that you can enjoy more than once and one I
know I’ll add to my collection. I may have to add a few of their CDs to that
collection as well.
Click here to order.
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