Label: Legacy Recordings/Sony Music International
Review by Tony Cannella
I have to admit that I have never really been all that familiar with X JAPAN. I do know that they have been famous and successful in their home country, and now they have a documentary film out called “We Are X”. In conjunction with the movie, Yoshiki and company have released a soundtrack album. The release of the movie and soundtrack is a good enough reason to acquaint myself with this already veteran act from the land of the Rising Sun. The album begins with the acoustic track “La Venus” and it is followed by the heavy, energetic (and somewhat thrashy) “Kurenai”. This was my favorite track and reminded me a bit of early era (Kai Hansen on vocals) Helloween. X JAPAN nicely mixes ballads with heavier music and the musicianship is some of the best I have heard in quite some time. Other highlights include: “Forever Love”, “Crucify My Love” and “Endless Rain”. “We Are X” is pretty cool. X JAPAN have been somewhat of a revelation to me and “We Are X” was a perfect introduction to new fans like me and older fans should be pleased with this great collection of songs as well.
Rating – 88/100
Tracklist
- La Venus (Acoustic Version)
- Kurenai (from “The Last Live”)
- Forever Love
- A Piano String in Es Dur
- Dahlia
- Crucify My Love
- Xclamation
- Standing Sex (from “X Japan Returns”)
- Tears
- Longing / Setsubo-no-yoru
- Art of Life (3rd Movement)
- Endless Rain (from “The Last Live”)
- X (from “The Last Live”)
- Without You (Unplugged)
Line Up
- Yoshiki – Drums, piano, keyboards, bandleader
- Toshi – Lead vocals, acoustic guitar
- Pata – Rhythm guitar, backing vocals
- Heath – Bass guitar, backing vocals
- Sugizo – Lead guitar, violin, backing vocals