Another Japanese movie will land on US theaters, this time it is a documentary film about the popular band "X Japan" entitled "We are X." Following its premiere on October 21 at the Los Angeles' NuArt Theatre, there will also be a Question & Answer Session with the film director Stephen Kijak and band leader Yoshiki.
The film was first released on the Sundance film Festival as an entry on the World Cinema Documentary Competition on January 23, and won Special Jury Award for Best Editing
The documentary revolves around X Japan's story and in its 35 years in the music industry, Anime News Network reported. X Japan is a heavy metal band formed in 1982. Yoshiki, the drummer founded the band with Toshi as main vocalist. X Japan is considered a great success as the first indie band in Japan who was able to penetrate the mainstream media and considered as a pioneer of visual kei.
X Japan's current member includes band leader Yoshiki who also plays keyboards and piano aside from drums. Toshi on lead vocals and acoustic guitar, Pata, backing vocals and rhythm guitar, Heath, also backing vocals and bass guitar and the newest member who just joined in 2009, Sugizo, backing vocals, lead guitar and violin.
Original lead guitarist and bassist of the band, Hide Taiji Sawada passed away in 1998 and 2011, respectively but the band still introduce them in their performences and even use recordings of their instruments as part of their performance. In total, the band has sold more than 30 million albums, and has sold out Tokyo Dome for their concert 18 times.
Their musical style is similar to American glam driven with powerful and speedy compositions combined with symphonic and emotional elements. Majority of their songs are written by Yoshiki while the others are written by other members. X Japan is also known for playing till they drop especially the leader Yoshiki. The documentary may also feature their former and dead members.
X Japan will also release their first album in 20 years by the end of the year.
