The deadline is set, but is still being kept a secret.
I decided not to publish the above, and took a break. Since then we find ourselves here:
- Some brainiac decides it’s a good idea to record XJAPAN songs without ToshI’s vocals on them.
- Red Swan is released.
- ToshI’s official statement is that he’s disappointed.
- Follows up with ‘don’t worry’ things with Yoshiki are rosey.
- YOSHIKI performs at LUNA FES, media sighting unreasonably large sums of money requested by ToshI’s side, preventing XJAPAN from performing.
- Articles surface with industry insiders claiming ToshI didn’t renew a contract with the band and has to be contracted anytime XJAPAN do anything.
- Adding to the flames another insider claims HYDE has a more internationally marketable voice hence why he’s on Red Swan. (Something about more vibrato…).
- ToshI changes his stage name and removes all mention of XJAPAN from social media and his official website,
- ToshI releases 3 cover albums I AM A SINGER 1, 2 and 3. And ceases performing XJAPAN covers on TV.
- ToshI becomes a staple on music and variety shows, mysteriously show hosts stop bringing up XJAPAN.
- YOSHIKI lays low during COVID, promising the release of multiple Movie projects.
- Underthesky the COVID inspired music collaboration project - shelved.
- YouTube Originals - yoshiki the life of a rockstar- shelved.
- Deathwish, Yoshiki’s version of WE R X, in development hell.
- The 1 film project that does get released (ok other than the disney one), has ToshI footage removed at the last minute at the request of ToshI/management. We then learn yoshiki and Toshl speak via lawyers now.
…. Sounds rosey.
End of 2022 we learn that RED SWAN was not only the end of XJAPAN (for now) but also the start of TLRS. A new beginning of sorts.
Is it a new beginning?
Or just another V2 or S.K.I.N.
Are fans wrong to be skeptical despite positive initial TLRS shows?
And why won’t either Toshl or Yoshiki be upfront with fans about XJAPAN.
We can draw clues from the film WE R X.
Where it is bluntly pointed out, XJAPAN is a big business. Maybe too big for its own good.
We also learn years after YOSHIKI does a PR world tour for WE R X, that not only did ToshI not want to be in the film, he did not even want to watch it, but was convinced to by YOSHIKI.
So there’s plenty of reasons we can come up with for the kind of animosity it takes for a SUMIREGUMI communication shut down of this magnitude.
Let’s add in that ToshI required a cane on stage and a wheelchair backstage on XJAPANs domestic tour.
How about Pata and Heath then?
They were featured in the short lived GREE smartphone game….
YOSHIKICHANNEL toyed with fans by inviting HEATH on a yoshiki bday special where not only was he not announced as being in TLRS (who famously lack a bassist), but it was revealed that HEATH still practices and trains so he can perform at a moments notice.
Theepicwait ironically now extends beyond the fan base to include the XJAPAN alumni as well.
And what of VIOLET UK?
You know the project that according to YOSHIKI’s own YouTube is coming 2013-
In truth, new music is all I really care about.
And in fairness. We got some. We may get some more. We may not get what we want.
But we’ll always have what we have.
Wait… go to Apple Music or iTunes in Japan.
If you Purchased LA VENUS and WITHOUT YOU, you may be interested to know they’ve been delisted entirely. There is a work around though, go to purchases, press the hidden tab and you get access to the apple digital master. The losseless version is at least in the land of the rising sun, gone.
Fast forward to May 15th.
The fans finally got something. The announcement that ANGEL, XJAPAN’s 1st single in 8 years is ‘scheduled’ to be released July 28th 2023.
Following up, Yoshiki adds that this version features: guitars, drums and ‘everything’.
What remains unknown, does ‘everything’ in 2023 include Toshl’s vocals?
So Elation now comes with 2 months of 2nd guessing.
There are a few alternatives if Toshl doesn’t sign off on this release:
1. Hyde
2. Marilyn Manson (check his Twitter, he tweeted on May 15th, that he’s got something he wants us to hear, coincidence?’)
3. Beverly (YOSHIKI’s new go to vocalist for solo gigs).
4. Katie (featured on the VUK 2005 album that was shelved)
5. Vocaliod!!!…No joke, there is footage taken by NHK of The Last Rock Stars where Hyde’s vocal line is laid out in a female vocal sample to guide him before they replaced it with Hyde’s (heck, even without you was said to have male guide vocals before Toshl laid down his take).
Stab me in the face, if nothing else, this band will always bring with it DRAMA!
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