X Japan discography

The discography of the Japanese heavy metal band X Japan consists of 5 studio albums, 6 live albums, 1 remix album, 11 compilations, 1 soundtrack album, 23 singles, and around 22 live video recordings.

X Japan discography
X Japan in Hong Kong, 2009
Studio albums	5
Live albums	6
Compilation albums	11
Video albums	22
Singles	23
Soundtrack albums	1
Remix	1
Various artists compilations	3
Demos	4

Founded in 1982 by vocalist Toshi and drummer Yoshiki, X Japan started out as a power/speed metal band and later gravitated towards a progressive sound with an emphasis on ballads. With the member line-up including bassist Taiji and guitarists hide and Pata since 1987, X released their debut studio album Vanishing Vision on Yoshiki's own record label Extasy Records the following year. They then achieved breakthrough success with their second album and major label debut, Blue Blood, in 1989. It was followed by the million-selling Jealousy (1991), which is the band's most diverse album in terms of songwriting credits. In 1992, the band changed their name to X Japan and bassist Taiji left the group, being replaced by Heath. The mini-album Art of Life was released in 1993, composed solely of the 29-minute title track. Their last album Dahlia was released in 1996, and the following year the band decided to break up. However, after ten years, X Japan reunited in 2007 and recorded the new song "I.V.". They officially recruited lead guitarist Sugizo to fill-in for the deceased hide two years later and in 2011 had their first worldwide release, the digital single "Jade".

Besides being one of the first Japanese acts to achieve mainstream success while on an independent label,[1] the band is widely credited as one of the pioneers of visual kei,[2][3] a movement among Japanese musicians comparable to Western glam. X Japan have sold millions of records in Japan, claiming un-certified sales of over 30 million.[4][5][6]

Albums

Studio albums

Title	Album details	Peak positions		Sales	Certifications
		JPN
		Weekly [7][8]	Yearly
Vanishing Vision	Released: April 14, 1988 Label: Extasy Formats: CD, cassette, LP, digital download	Main: 19[9] Indie: 1	78 (CD, 1990)	JPN: 171,030 or 800,000[1]	N/A
Blue Blood	Released: April 21, 1989 Label: CBS/Sony Formats: CD, cassette, LP, digital download	6	63 (1989) 28 (1990)	JPN: 712,000[10] or 1,000,000+[9]	RIAJ: Platinum[11]
Jealousy	Released: June 1, 1991 Label: Sony Formats: CD, cassette, LP, digital download	1	12 (1991) 62 (1992)	JPN: 1,113,000[10]	RIAJ: Million[12]
Art of Life	Released: August 25, 1993 Label: Atlantic Formats: CD, cassette, digital download	1	28	JPN: 600,000+[13] KOR: 7,908[14]	RIAJ: Platinum[11]
Dahlia	Released: November 4, 1996 Label: Atlantic Formats: CD, cassette, LP, digital download	1	50	JPN: 648,080+	RIAJ: Platinum[11]

Live albums

Title	Album details	Peak positions		Sales	Certifications
		JPN
		Weekly [7][8]	Yearly
On the Verge of Destruction 1992.1.7 Tokyo Dome Live	Released: January 1, 1995 Label: Ki/oon Formats: CD, cassette, digital download	3	69	JPN: 335,590	RIAJ: Gold[11]
Live Live Live Tokyo Dome 1993-1996	Released: October 15, 1997 Label: Polydor Format: CD	3	90	JPN: 283,970	RIAJ: Gold[11]
Live Live Live Extra	Released: November 5, 1997 Label: Warner Music Japan Format: CD	13	—	JPN: 32,310	N/A
Live in Hokkaido 1995.12.4 Bootleg	Released: January 21, 1998 Label: Universal Music Format: CD	20	—	JPN: 38,940	N/A
Art of Life Live	Released: March 18, 1998 Label: Polydor Formats: CD, digital download	20	—	JPN: 41,170	N/A
The Last Live	Released: May 30, 2001 Label: Polydor Formats: CD, digital download	7	—	JPN: 92,780	N/A

Compilation albums

Title	Album details	Peak positions		Sales	Certifications
		JPN
		Weekly [7][8]	Yearly
X Singles	Released: November 21, 1993 Label: Ki/oon Formats: CD, cassette, LP, digital download	2	36 (1994)	JPN: 1,000,000+	RIAJ: Million[12]
B.O.X ~Best of X~	Released: March 21, 1996 Label: Ki/oon Formats: CD, cassette, digital download	5	—	JPN: 134,510	N/A
Ballad Collection	Released: December 19, 1997 Label: Polydor Formats: CD, cassette	3	47 (1998)	JPN: 566,160	RIAJ: Platinum[11]
X Japan Singles ~Atlantic Years~	Released: December 25, 1997 Label: Atlantic Format: CD	14	—	JPN: 102,450	N/A
Special Box	Released: December 25, 1997 Label: Atlantic Format: CD	96	—	JPN: 2,800	N/A
Single Box	Released: December 25, 1997 Label: Atlantic Format: CD	—	—	JPN: 4,650	N/A
Star Box	Released: January 30, 1999 Label: Sony Music Formats: CD, cassette	4	—	JPN: 122,330	N/A
Perfect Best	Released: February 24, 1999 Label: Atlantic Format: CD	4	94	JPN: 256,440	RIAJ: Gold[11]
Best: Fan's Selection	Released: December 19, 2001 Label: Polydor Formats: CD, cassette	13	—	JPN: 88,600	N/A
Complete II	Released: October 1, 2005 Label: Columbia Format: CD	92	—	JPN: 3,593	N/A
The World: X Japan Hatsu no Zensekai Best (The World～X Japan 初の全世界ベスト～)	Released: June 17, 2014 Label: Warner Music Japan Format: CD	2	82[15]	JPN: 61,030 KOR: 329[16]	RIAJ: Gold[11]

Remix albums

Title	Album details	Peak positions		Sales	Certifications
		JPN
		Weekly [7][8]	Yearly
Trance X	Released: December 4, 2002 Label: Polydor Format: CD	27	—	JPN: 27,195+	N/A

Soundtrack albums

Title	Album details	Peak positions			Sales	Certifications
		JPN [8]	KOR [17]	UK [18]
We Are X: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack	Released: March 3, 2017 Label: Sony Music Formats: CD, digital download, LP	3	65	27	JPN: 48,140[19][20] KOR: 693[21]	N/A

Singles

Title	Year	Peak positions		Sales	Certifications	Album
		JPN
		Oricon[22][23]	Billboard
"I'll Kill You"	1985	—	—	JPN: 1,000[9]	N/A	Non-album singles
"Orgasm" (オルガスム)	1986	—	—	JPN: 1,500[9]	N/A
"Kurenai" (紅)	1989	5	20[24]	JPN: 312,580 (CD) JPN: 350,000 (DL)	RIAJ: Platinum[11]	Blue Blood
"Endless Rain"		3	—	JPN: 364,450	RIAJ: Platinum[11]
"Week End"	1990	2	—	JPN: 298,060	RIAJ: Platinum[11]
"Silent Jealousy"	1991	3	—	JPN: 284,200 (CD) JPN: 100,000 (DL)	RIAJ: Gold[11]	Jealousy
"Standing Sex"		4	—	JPN: 261,340	RIAJ: Gold[11]	Non-album single
"Say Anything"		3	—	JPN: 537,790	RIAJ: Platinum[11]	Jealousy
"Tears"	1993	2	—	JPN: 836,940	RIAJ: 2×Platinum[11]	Dahlia
"Rusty Nail"	1994	1	—	JPN: 751,920	RIAJ: Platinum[11]
"Longing ~Togireta Melody~" (Longing ～跡切れたMelody～)	1995	1	—	JPN: 476,170	RIAJ: Platinum[11]
"Longing ~Setsubou no Yoru~" (Longing ～切望の夜～)		5	—	JPN: 171,550	N/A	Non-album single
"Dahlia"	1996	1	—	JPN: 412,810	RIAJ: Platinum[11]	Dahlia
"Forever Love"		1	—	JPN: 509,920	RIAJ: Platinum[11]
"Crucify My Love"		2	—	JPN: 290,220	RIAJ: Gold[11]
"Scars"		15	—	JPN: 100,350	N/A
"Forever Love (Last Mix)"	1997	13	—	JPN: 163,050	RIAJ: Gold[11]	Non-album singles
"The Last Song"	1998	8	—	JPN: 91,880	N/A
"Forever Love" (re-release)		18	—	JPN: 42,960	N/A	Dahlia
"Scars" (re-release)		15	—	JPN: 55,440	N/A
"Forever Love" (re-release)	2001	19	—	JPN: 23,500	N/A
"I.V."	2008	—	—	N/A	N/A	Non-album singles
"Scarlet Love Song -Buddha Mix-"	2011	—	33[25]	N/A	N/A
"Jade"		—	19[26]	N/A	N/A
"Born to Be Free"	2015	—	21[27]	N/A	N/A

Notes

1.^ The numbers are purely based on RIAJ certifications

Various artists compilations

Title	Song	Release date	Label
Heavy Metal Force III	"Break the Darkness"	November 7, 1985[28]	Explosion
Skull Thrash Zone Volume I	"Stab Me in the Back", "No Connexion"	March 7, 1987[29]	Victor
Global Metal Soundtrack	"X (Live)"	July 24, 2008	Universal

VHS / LD / DVD / Blu-ray

Title	Details	Peak positions
		JPN[30]
Xclamation	Released: August 1987, 1988 Label: Unknown Format: VHS	—
Thanx	Released: March 16, 1989 Label: CBS/Sony Format: VHS	—
Blue Blood Tour Bakuhatsu Sunzen Gig	Released: June 1, 1989 (VHS) June 1, 1989 (LD) September 5, 2001 (DVD) Label: Ki/oon Formats: VHS, LD, DVD	—
Shigeki! Visual Shock Vol. 2	Released: December 31, 1989 (VHS) December 31, 1989 (LD) September 5, 2001 (DVD) Label: Ki/oon Formats: VHS, LD, DVD	—
Celebration Visual Shock Vol. 2.5	Released: September 1, 1990 (VHS) September 1, 1990 (LD) September 5, 2001 (DVD) Label: Ki/oon Formats: VHS, LD, DVD	—
Shigeki 2 ~Yume no Nakadakeni Ikite~ Visual Shock Vol. 3	Released: September 30, 1991 (VHS) September 30, 1991 (LD) September 5, 2001 (DVD) Label: Ki/oon Formats: VHS, LD, DVD	—
Say Anything ~X Ballad Collection~ Visual Shock Vol. 3.5	Released: December 21, 1991 (VHS) December 21, 1991 (LD) September 5, 2001 (DVD) Label: Ki/oon Formats: VHS, LD, DVD	—
On the Verge of Destruction 1992.1.7 Tokyo Dome Live Visual Shock Vol. 4	Released: November 1, 1992 (VHS) November 1, 1992 (LD) September 5, 2001 (DVD) Label: Ki/oon Formats: VHS, LD, DVD	—
X Clips	Released: January 1, 1995 (VHS) January 1, 1995 (LD) July 5, 2000 (DVD) Label: Ki/oon Formats: VHS, LD, DVD	36
Dahlia the Video Visual Shock #5 Part I	Released: January 1, 1997 Label: Atlantic Format: VHS	—
Dahlia the Video Visual Shock #5 Part II	Released: March 5, 1997 Label: Atlantic Format: VHS	—
Dahlia Tour Final 1996	Released: October 29, 1997 (VHS) December 4, 2002 (DVD) September 25, 2013 (Blu-ray) Label: Atlantic Formats: VHS, DVD, Blu-ray	58
X Japan Clips II	Released: October 24, 2001 (VHS) October 24, 2001 (DVD) Label: Atlantic Formats: VHS, DVD	12
The Last Live Video	Released: March 29, 2002 (VHS) March 29, 2002 (DVD) Label: Atlantic Formats: VHS, DVD	7
Dahlia the Video Visual Shock #5 Part I & Part II	Released: December 4, 2002 Label: Atlantic Format: DVD	82
Art of Life 1993.12.31 Tokyo Dome	Released: September 24, 2003 (VHS) September 24, 2003 (DVD) Label: Atlantic Formats: VHS, DVD	9
Aoi Yoru	Released: July 25, 2007 (DVD) September 25, 2013 (Blu-ray) Label: Geneon Formats: DVD, Blu-ray	50
Shiroi Yoru	Released: July 25, 2007 (DVD) September 25, 2013 (Blu-ray) Label: Geneon Formats: DVD, Blu-ray	49
Aoi Yoru Shiroi Yoru Complete Edition	Released: July 25, 2007 Label: Geneon Format: DVD	14
X Japan Returns 1993.12.30	Released: February 29, 2008 (DVD) September 25, 2013 (Blu-ray) Label: Geneon Formats: DVD, Blu-ray	30
X Japan Returns 1993.12.31	Released: February 29, 2008 (DVD) September 25, 2013 (Blu-ray) Label: Geneon Formats: DVD, Blu-ray	43
X Japan Returns Complete Edition	Released: February 29, 2008 Label: Geneon Format: DVD	8
X Visual Shock DVD Box 1989-1992	Released: July 23, 2008 Label: Ki/oon Format: DVD	33
X Japan Showcase in L.A. Premium Prototype	Released: September 6, 2010 Label: Japan Music Agency Format: DVD	—
The Last Live Complete Edition	Released: October 26, 2011 (DVD) September 25, 2013 (Blu-ray) Label: Geneon Formats: DVD, Blu-ray	3
X Japan Blu-ray Box	Released: September 25, 2013 Label: Warner Music Japan Format: Blu-ray	—
X Visual Shock Blu-ray Box: 1989-1992	Released: January 18, 2017 Label: Sony Music Direct (Japan) Inc. Format: Blu-ray	—

Demos

Title	Release date	Note
"I'll Kill You"	1984	Songs: "Ill Kill You", "We Are X" and "Stop Bloody Rain"
"Live"	June 1985	Songs: "Kurenai", "Endless Dream", "Lady in Tears" and "Stop Bloody Rain"
"Endless Dream"	June 1985	Same material as "Live" but different track order.
"Longing ~Togireta Melody~"	December 30/31, 1994 July 25, 2007 (reissue)	Songs: "Longing ~Togireta Melody~" and band rehearsal. Originally distributed on cassette at both the "Aoi Yoru" and "Shiroi Yoru" concerts. Released on CD in the Aoi Yoru Shiroi Yoru Complete Edition DVD boxset.

Unreleased songs

2007-Present:

• "Beneath the Skin"

Originally written by Sugizo for S.K.I.N., X Japan began playing it in 2014.

• "Hero"

Written by Yoshiki for Saint Seiya: Legend of Sanctuary and performed by his Violet UK project, X Japan began performing it in 2014.

• "Kiss the Sky"

Performed for the first time at the Lunatic Fest on June 27, 2015.

• "Angel"

Performed for the first time at the Yokohama Arena show on 2015.

• "Rock Star"

Its existence was confirmed by Yoshiki on January 26, 2016.

• "L'arme"

Left-over from the Jealousy album. Part of the song was performed on 2015.

1988-1997:

• "White Poem II"

Sequel to "White Poem I" from the Dahlia album.

Indie Era:

• "Kill the Violence"
• "Steal Your Heart"
• "Feel Me Tonight"

Lyrics by Yoshiki, music by Hally.

• "Install"

Also known as "Feels Damage".

• "Only Way"

Lyrics by Jun and Toshi, music by Jun.

• "Right Now"

Written by Jun.

• "Tuneup Baby"

Written by Jun.

Other

• Gekitotsu!! – Color, January 1988

X appear as guests.

• Tokyo Pop, April 15, 1988

X makes a brief cameo appearance.[31]

• "Kurenai (Original Japanese Version)", June 1988, Extasy

A flexi disc included in an issue of Rockin' f magazine. Contrary to the title the lyrics are mostly in English. This version does not appear anywhere else.

• Bosutsu! VOS No.9, November 5, 1988

VHS that came with a magazine. Live clips of X from September 4, 1988 are shown and Yoshiki is interviewed.

• Symphonic Blue Blood, August 21, 1991

Symphonic album, performed by the Tokyo Academic Chamber Orchestra.

• Unrivaled is Extasy ~ Extasy Summit '91 at Nippon Budokan, February 21, 1992, Extasy

Live recordings of a 1991 Extasy Summit, held by Extasy Records. Also features Tokyo Yankees, Virus, Luna Sea and several others.

• Symphonic Silent Jealousy, August 26, 1992

Symphonic album, performed by the Tokyo Academic Chamber Orchestra.

• Orchestra Selection - Blue Blood & Jealousy, November 21,1992

Symphonic album, performed by the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra.

• Minna ga Mumei-Datta, Dakedo... Muteki-Datta ~ Extasy Summit 1992, May 10, 1993, Extasy

Live recordings of the October 31, 1992 Extasy Summit, held by Extasy Records. X does not perform together, but the members do perform with other acts. Also features Luna Sea, Deep, Media Youth, The Zolge, Tokyo Yankees, Screaming Mad George and Psychosis, Gilles de Rais, Zi:Kill and several others.

• X Japan Virtual Shock 001, October 20, 1995, Sega

Video game for the Sega Saturn home console. The player takes the role of a fan disguised as a photographer backstage at X Japan's December 31, 1994 concert at the Tokyo Dome (Shiroi Yoru). After collecting several items to gain access and photograph the band members, the player edits a live video of "Rusty Nail" and the game ends with footage from the concert.[32][33]

• X Japan on Piano, May 25, 1998

Symphonic album, performed by an ensemble of several recognized classical musicians.

• Rose & Blood -Indies of X-, May 2, 2001

Unofficial compilation album featuring demos from the Jealousy album sessions. The band is credited as "iX".

• Global Metal, June 20, 2008

Various live clips of X are shown and Yoshiki is interviewed.

• We Are X, January 23, 2016

Documentary about X Japan and Yoshiki.

References

1. Yang, Jeff; Can, Dina; Hong, Terry (1997). Eastern Standard Time. Boston: Houghton Mifflin. p. 264. ISBN 0-395-76341-X.
2. Minnie, Chi. "X Japan Best review". Asia Pacific Arts Online Magazine. Archived from the original on October 11, 2007. Retrieved 2007-09-10.
3. Strauss, Neil (18 June 1998). "The Pop Life: End of a Life, End of an Era". The New York Times. Retrieved 2007-08-06.
4. "X Japan Take Home 'Best International Band' Award at Golden Gods=". Loudwire. Retrieved 2012-05-15.
5. "X Japan Embark on Their First American Tour". Revolver. Retrieved 2013-03-17.
6. "X Japan: They're huge (really), and they're (finally) coming to the U.S." Chicago Sun-Times. Archived from the original on January 18, 2013. Retrieved 2013-03-17.
7. "X JAPANのアルバム売り上げランキング" (in Japanese). Oricon. Archived from the original on 2012-12-05. Retrieved 2011-09-12.
8. "X JAPANのアルバム売上ランキング" [X Japan album sales ranking]. Oricon (in Japanese). Retrieved 2018-07-26.
9. "Indies eXplosion: The Early History of X JAPAN". JRock Revolution. 2007-10-29. Archived from the original on July 1, 2015. Retrieved 2013-03-17.
10. "X、初期のリマスター再発商品2作が好調！". Oricon (in Japanese). 2007-02-14. Retrieved July 23, 2009.
11. "Japanese album certifications" (Enter X Japan into the アーティスト then select 検索) (in Japanese). Recording Industry Association of Japan. Retrieved 2018-07-26.
12. "RIAJ CERTIFIED MILLION SELLER ALBUMS". ocn.ne.jp. Archived from the original on 2012-08-05. Retrieved 2012-12-04.
13. "[Interview]YOSHIKI: "You Have to Force Your Way Through." (Part One)". barks.jp. Retrieved 2013-09-28.
14. "RIAK 2001.07월 - POP 음반 판매량". Recording Industry Association of Korea. Archived from the original on 2004-08-09. Retrieved 2017-02-19.CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
15. "Oricon Top 100 2014: Albums". jame-world.com. Retrieved 2014-01-01.
16. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved November 15, 2015.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
17. "2017년 21주차 Album Chart" (in Korean). Gaon Music Chart. 2017-05-21. Retrieved 2017-08-06.
18. "X Japan | Official Chart History". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 2018-07-28.
19. Physical sales:
    • 2017-03-13: "Oricon Album Chart 2017.02.27.-2017.03.05". Oricon. Oricon. Archived from the original on 2017-03-08. Retrieved 2017-03-08.CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
    • 2017-03-20: "Oricon Album Chart 2017.03.06.-2017.03.12". Oricon. Oricon. Archived from the original on 2017-03-15. Retrieved 2017-03-16.CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
    • 2017-03-27: "Oricon Album Chart 2017.03.13.-2017.03.19". Oricon. Oricon. Archived from the original on 2017-03-22. Retrieved 2017-04-11.CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
    • 2017-04-03: "Oricon Album Chart 2017.03.20.-2017.03.26". Oricon. Oricon. Archived from the original on 2017-03-29. Retrieved 2017-04-11.CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
    • 2017-04-10: "Oricon Album Chart 2017.03.27.-2017.04.02". Oricon. Oricon. Archived from the original on 2017-04-05. Retrieved 2017-04-11.CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
    • 2017-04-17: "Oricon Album Chart 2017.04.03.-2017.04.09". Oricon. Oricon. Archived from the original on 2017-04-18. Retrieved 2017-04-18.CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
20. Digital sales:
    • 2017-03-13: "Oricon Digital Album Chart 2017.02.27.-2017.03.05". Oricon. Oricon. Archived from the original on 2017-03-08. Retrieved 2017-03-08.CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
    • 2017-03-20: "Oricon Digital Album Chart 2017.03.06.-2017.03.12". Oricon. Oricon. Archived from the original on 2017-03-15. Retrieved 2017-03-16.CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
21. "2017년 06월 Album Chart" (in Korean). Gaon Music Chart. Retrieved 2017-08-06.
22. "X JAPANのシングル売り上げランキング" (in Japanese). Oricon. Archived from the original on 2012-12-05. Retrieved 2011-09-12.
23. "X JAPANのシングル売上ランキング" [X Japan single sales ranking] (in Japanese). Oricon. Retrieved 2018-07-28.
24. "Billboard Japan Hot 100│Charts│Billboard JAPAN". Billboard (in Japanese). Retrieved 2017-01-28.
25. "Billboard Japan Hot 100│Charts│Billboard JAPAN". Billboard (in Japanese). Retrieved 2013-03-17.
26. "Billboard Japan Hot 100│Charts│Billboard JAPAN". Billboard (in Japanese). Retrieved 2013-03-17.
27. "Billboard Japan Hot 100│Charts│Billboard JAPAN". Billboard (in Japanese). Retrieved 2015-11-16.
28. "HEAVY METAL FORCE III". amazon.co.jp. Retrieved 2013-03-17.
29. "SKULL TRASH ZONE I". japan-discoveries.com. Retrieved 2011-11-09.
30. "X JapanのDVD売上ランキング" [X Japan DVD sales ranking]. Oricon (in Japanese). Retrieved 2018-08-02.
31. "Tokyo Pop (1988)". Internet Movie Database. Retrieved 2012-03-24.
32. "X Japan Virtual Shock 001 information". GameFAQs.
33. "FAQ for X-Japan Virtual Shock 001 (Sega Saturn)". GameFAQs.

External links

• X Japan discography at Discogs
• X Japan discography on iTunes