X Japan (エックス ジャパン, X Japan ?), or X (エックス, X ?) which was their initial name, was a Japanese Visual kei band, the brainchild of Yoshiki (Yoshiki Hayashi). Their sound started as Japanese rock speed metal, and later gravitated towards alternative rock, but always retained a huge emphasis on beautiful ballads.
Plans for the band started in 1976, when its original members, Toshi (Toshimitsu Deyama) and Yoshiki were only 12. Initially they were simply named X.
Their first single was "I'll kill you" (June, 1985). The members at that time were: Yoshiki (Drums, Piano), Toshi (Vocal), Yuji (Guitar), Tomo (Guitar), Tokuo (Bass). No record labels would sign the band because of their transgressive way of dressing and performing. Not to be stopped, Yoshiki created his own record label, Extasy Records, with money he and his mother helped provide by selling the family business.
In 1987 they released their Indies album "Vanishing Vision" (April 14, 1988) At that time the members were Yoshiki (Drums, Piano), Toshi (Vocal), hide (Guitar), Pata(Guitar), Taiji (Bass). In 1988 the band took part in the movie Tokyo Pop in the role of the band mates of Diamond Yukai.
By 1992, X was widely known in Japan, and they intended to start focusing on America. In the US there was already a band called X, so they decided to change their name to X Japan. During this period, a feud between Yoshiki and Taiji led to Taiji's departure from the band; he was replaced by Heath (Hiroshi Morie). Taiji went on to work with Loudness ('92 - '95) and Cloud 9.
X's music, under the caring and determined supervision of Yoshiki, never stopped evolving. Their music ranges from harsh but very emotive speed metal tracks like "Sadistic Desire", "Phantom of Guilt" and "Vanishing Love", to moving piano ballads such as "Tears" and "Say Anything", to alternative and somewhat more popish tracks from their last period like "Dahlia" and "Rusty Nail". One particularly notable song was "Art of Life", a carefully crafted progressive rock/metal piece almost half an hour long. "Art of Life" was performed live only once, in the Tokyo Dome on December 31st, 1993 (This live version lasting over thirty four minutes).