Failure to Launch?

TLRS 3rd single and theme song for the world’s most popular fighting game (Tekken 8) is possibly dropping 1/26 (Fri) 2024.

Strangely, Tekken 8 preview footage or TV spots do not feature the track.

If you are a gamer you might be thinking ‘just patch the song in on launch day’.

And you might be right!

See you next week where we find out!

Fun fact: MASTERY may be the 1st song in history to be patched into a game and not be on the retail disc. Why not?

An album : by deduction

 As a follow up post on Angel, fans got what they wanted. Toshl vocals, mixed with a full band arrangement.

But you don’t have to scroll far down the comments section to see demands for an album.

In the worst case scenario and an official album never materializes, just think about this:

What songs are left that have not already been released?

An album by deduction, if you may:

1. The Last Song (intro): If we never get it, it’s not really a new song.
2. Beneath the Skin: People complained it was a repurposed SKIN song. Be careful what you wish for… I guess?1. 1. Rockstar: There is a theory that Toshl is not the main vocalist. On niconico new year Sugizo mentioned the song, yoshiki tried to shut him up by saying to ToshL: you hated the song, didn’t you? Around the same time an article mentions Marilyn Manson is ‘helping the band finish its album’. And Yoshiki reveals prior to Coachella that there are some surprise guests on the album. One more thing: TLRS debut single is the same song as rockstar argument, which Yoshiki has refuted, yet some have tried to prove (using a tiny insatgram clip) it’s the same melody line.
3. Hero: Originally for VUK (both Katie and now Jane Zhang have recorded vocals on it, and Beverly has sung it live a tone. (Again, careful what you wish for).
4. That just leaves the big one…Kiss the Sky. This would be borderline criminal if not released with all its 1000s of your voices weaved into it.

Let the above sink in, and here’s your Album…by deduction:

1. Miracle (as an intro) (or not, up to you)
2. IV
3. SCARLET LOVE SONG
4. JADE
5. BTBF
6. WITHOUT YOU (acoustic)
7. LA VENUS (acoustic)
8. ANGEL

43 mins of *new music

*All released/recorded post reunion.

The last stretch

According to a recent interview on Nico Nico after the Nagoya Japan Tour Final show, YOSHIKI confirmed that the album must be turned in sometime during January.
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!

YOSHIKI music related Q&A

Yoshiki does Q & A 's occasionally, however many mysteries about music and lyrical content remain...a mystery.

If you had the chance to ask YOSHIKI about his music, what would you ask?

Here's a couple off the top of my head:

- Which Classical piece are you most proud of; Amethyst, Red Christmas or Miracle?

- Have Blind Dance and the Otherside been officially canned?

- Will we ever see the real PV for Jade? Or is the footage owned by Sankyo?

- Does the poem written for Without You feature on the studio version?

- Are the acoustic guitar parts in City of Devils played by you?

- How long in minutes is Art of Life Part 2 at this stage?

- Finally, X singles REMASTER sounds really great. Will we be able to buy the upcoming XJAPAN album in Hi-Res format?

XJAPAN New Album title

I've been thinking about this a lot lately.

In the past YOSHIKI mentioned the album would be titled JADE and that JADE would be the 1st single.

That would have made sense, 

had the album launched shortly after JADE hit iTunes.

Ok...so Dahlia was performed live 

long before Dahlia became an album title.

However, we now have another option that molds well with what X JAPAN is trying to achieve.

I'm talking about doing something that no Asian band has ever done.

Becoming a 'household' name in America. To clarify, the kind of exposure that would mean if you randomly surveyed people walking down the street, 2/3rds of them would know what an X jump is.

With that in mind, wouldn't BENEATH THE SKIN be a fitting title?

As I see it, there are 2 issues that stand in the way of this happening.

i) Historically album titles have been songs where both music and lyrics are composed by YOSHIKI

ii) Beneath the Skin musically may not be    representative enough of X JAPAN.

The song is amazing, don't get me wrong. It has quickly became my favorite of the new tracks...but unlike Dahlia or JADE, it is less representative of X JAPANs overall sound.

As a bold catch phrase that invites the listener to look beneath the skin and experience the melody, the drama, the brilliance of X, without judging whether the band is from Japan or from time to time singing in a language that they don't understand.... It's brilliant.

I guess it will be a choice YOSHIKI has to make. Will he allow SUGIZO to take some of the limelight. 

He obviously really likes the song. 

He literally brought it back from the dead where S.K.I.N's memory lays dormant.

He also cleverly used it in the MSG promo video ontop of that Press conference footage from the Rocker feller centre.

3. Now on to the wild card...

a self titled album... X JAPAN.

For the sake of art, I sincerely hope there is a real title. Self titling is a boring, lazy practice that does not suit X.

4. IF (depending on your perspective) you consider blue blood their major debut as their 1st album and you do not consider Art of Life as their 3rd post debut studio album... Then IV might be viable. The 4th? Album? ....It is also the song that launched their reunion... 

I think Jade has more of a chance, 

but I'll leave it as a IVth option.

1. Blue Blood

2. Jealousy

3. Dahlia

4. IV

12

12 songs, all new recordings...
"Say it again.... We have a T-REX!" (excuse my excitement)

1. The Intro

Right now it's Last Song.
But which version will be on the album?
Keeping in mind "all new recordings".....
Three options are:

i)   2008.3.28 Night of Destruction (live)
ii)  English Short Intro (Grammy Museum Ver.)
iii) The ending piano part of the Single Ver.

You can arrange these into any order you prefer.
There are good reasons both historically, musically and
business-wise for either of these to take first honours.

Let's explore each briefly below.

2008.3.28 Night of Destruction (live Ver.):-
- It is the bridge between the Last Live and the renuinted X JAPAN we know and love
- It is the 1st time many fans from around the world fulfilled their dream of seeing X JAPAN live
- That incredible scream from the fans when Toshl's silhouette becomes visible behind the stage curtain ;)

English Short Intro:-
- It's in English
- It sounds like an intro and would still be considered an "all new recording"
- YOSHIKI already previewed it with Katie, so the lyrics are done

The ending piano part of the Single Ver.:-
- It makes artistic sense
- It would be original and innovative
- Fans would appreciate it, and new comers would oneday discover the genius behind it
- A fourth and final thought.... YOSHIKI likes leaving pretty awesome Easter Eggs in his music

2. The Album

So far Jade / Beneath the Skin / Hero and what looks like either an I or an L has been teased for Track 11. Some people say it must be IV. Other's hope it is the mysterious 'Larme', which no one knows much about other than that it was meant to be a song for VIOLET UK, and it ended up as the name of YOSHIKI's brand of Perfume (not sure which idea came first).

Let's assume it is IV for now..Can you imagine the 1st new single not making the album?
Let's also assume that Born to Be Free will make the album.
It never got a single release, but is catchy and has been apparently worked on
(despite no one ever hearing a studio version with real drums)

3. Without You / Scarlet Love Song

These are the only 2 new songs that are almost completely in Japanese.
They are the only 2 new ballads.
I don't think YOSHIKI has written an English version of either. 

So I guess it will be a choice between pleasing the fans, or pleasing the US market who might not like 2 songs in full Japanese (hey don't shoot the messenger...).

I've seen an interesting theory that Without You will not be on the album,
however it will be released later as a sort of compilation mini album, featuring:-

Without You
Without You (live)
Without You (classical)
Without You Promo Video... a project where fans submitted photos to the Record Company

The person who suggested this theory, likened the idea to the multiple versions of Tears/Forever love, and has the most thoughtful analysis of any X JAPAN blogger in Japan.
I can see the logic behind that idea.
It would leave room for future releases after the album.

4. Pata / Heath / ToshI / Sugizo Instrumental
12 Tracks is a lot of material.
Sure we may see an X JAPAN version of HELLO HELLO (aka the Hello Kitty Theme Song).
But wouldn't it be awesome if we got some solo spots to showcase the talent of the other members?
Wouldn't it be awesome if all 3 of them did even just 1 instrumental track together for the album?
Wriggle II anyone?

5. Ending : aka Art of Life II
I can't see them reusing Art of Life again for this album.
They already put it on the World Best album.
It has also been remastered too, as far as I am aware.

Art of Life II was revealed to be in the works, so it's a possibility.
If this is X JAPAN's final studio album, it would make sense to go all in.

The key here I think will be... Time constraints.
Can it be performed live this Summer?
Can the song be recorded to perfection in time?
Is there room for another release after this album?

6. Unreleased Material
Tears (English Ver.)
It has never been released....
and even though the song is over 20 years old, it has aged well.
The lyrics are some of the best YOSHIKI has ever written.
The Recording has been done to some extent (we hear it at the end of most post-renuion concerts).

In Closing
The album has changed forms already a few times.
It began as a compilation. 50% new songs, 50% old songs.
It supposedly almost turned into 2 mini-albums (thank g-d that never happened).

Putting out 12 songs at once shows real commitment.
I really hope the band is given the budget it needs to push this album.

Summer is when most bands start Touring.
It is when the biggest festivals are.
Momentum would be seriously affected again if the Summer 2015 window is missed.

Let's hope YOSHIKI's Mind / Body / Spirit and Soul all make it through to the end.
and then maybe with a bit of luck...the next post can be an Album review!

X JAPAN japan gig announcement incoming?

6th August there will be an announcement regarding X JAPAN.

If it were something related to new material I can assure you the announcement of the announcement, and the time the announcement is scheduled for would not be in Japanese.

Nor would the announcement be geared for the Japanese time zone.

Hence, leading me to believe that this will be a Japanese concert related announcement.

Either way, any news is good news

from a band that has been dormant for 3 years.

Peace

YOSHIKI prepping to announce DJ?

In a recent interview YOSHIKI was asked about his recent comments that he is also into EDM.

He kinda let the cat out of the bag a little by saying he hopes to reveal music to his fans by end of 2014.

While he didn't mention the name of his project, it could very well be DJ, the page on YOSHIKI.net that has a coming soon place holder.

Will DJ feature other prominent artists?

Did YOSHIKI work on a song with SKRILLEX as he mentioned he'd like to?

Can we expect a cameo from long time industry pal KOMURO TETSUYA?

All will be revealed in good time-

Source:

http://youtu.be/6FkfoIbCRLk

ps. mid JULY and still no preorders for MSG...Anyone else a little nervous?

I hope X knows ppl make plans and selling out may not be as easy as Roseland ballroom, especially now that Japanese fans know they don't have to go all the way to NY to see XJAPAN this year.

I didn't want to fail in your eyes~ YOSHIKI mixing it up

Below are the unofficial lyrics to one of the verses from the English version of TEARS.

For those that follow YOSHIKI's lyrics, note the appearance of the phrase I didn't want to fail in your eyes. Also similar lyrics appear in HERO ( ' Did I fail you dear ')...This is new ground for YOSHIKI.. and might reflect some of the feelings he has had in the past few years.

What with all the criticism of his career moves and timing of releases.

Also, I cross my heart I won't run away is a nice one.

I don't think this has been used in previous songs.

He is really mixing it up lately.. English intro to Last Song, VUK vocals taking on X Japan songs...playing unheard songs...performing at Seminars weekends.

Who knows whats next. I for one am glad he is enjoying not being boring!

TEARS ~ English Verse (1)~

Tell me love

Where can I go from here

In the world, in the distance from heaven

Song of love

Has it ever reached out to the sky

Will it ever be with you

Its been a while since i saw your smile

Time after time i thought of my lies

But I loved you so I didn’t wanna fail in your eyes

Now I cross my heart I won’t run away

Life through your eyes did you see the flame

When the night has shadowed our melody

Star blazing love, still be the same

Sometimes I see in bloody red

Dry your tears with love

Dry your tears with love

Dry your tears with love

Dry your tears with love

Caution: Don't get too attached to anything here;)

There may be mistakes.

Thanks to: Katie Fitzgerald for her powerful performance yesterday at Japan Expo, Paris.

YOSHIKI Classical 2 (Update)

In a newly published interview with Barks,
YOSHIKI reveals plans for YOSHIKI CLASSICAL 2.

- He revealed that the PV shooting back in April was for YOSHIKI CLASSICAL 2..
Forever Love, Hero and another song were filmed
- YOSHIKI is working on arranging the orchestration on a few more songs
- The album is scheduled to be out in the next 2 -3 months

X JAPAN's new album.. not the best of,
will likely come after YOSHIKI CLASSICAL 2.

Concert wise...
X JAPAN are in the process of booking gigs, Japan was mentioned.
Nothing is confirmed as of yet.

2014 has been very eventful, and looks like the music will keep coming.

Peace,
D

p.s. here's the source for those that read Japanese
http://www.barks.jp/news/?id=1000103600

X JAPAN- THE WORLD

The worldwide release of X JAPAN - THE WORLD is scheduled for Wednesday 21st MAY 2014 in 111 countries.

It's not clear if this is Japan time, meaning in a few hours, or US time maybe?

So far it isn't up for pre-order.

But keep your eyes pealed.

The album will to contain remasters and for the first time WITHOUT YOU - live ver.

Peace

ps.... This is probably the quietest X JAPAN release in recent memory....

wonder if the digital release will actually appear tomorrow...

HERO not on Saint Seiya OST CD Release

An update to yesterday's post... 
Unfortunately HERO won't be on the Saint Seiya Soundtrack CD.

It is possible we get it as a digital single though.
Fingers crossed!

Saint Seiya OST tracklist:-

01. Blue Sanctuary
02. Waging the Holy War
03. Athena
04. Fateful Encounter
05. Unknown Force
06. The Hope
07. Saint--Battle
08. Saint--Fellowship
09. Blaze of Sanctuary
10. Ambivelence
11. Missionary from Heaven
12. Luminous Threat
13. Reunion and Volition
14. Arrow of Destiny
15. Stairs to Sanctuary
16. The Youth Shines
17. Sheer Heart
18. Strength to Advance
19. Rising Cosmo
20. Determined Will
21. Mr. Deathmask
22. Gate to Despair
23. Death's Laughter
24. Requiem of the Ice Wall
25. Just Like a Comet
26. Aurora Execution
27. Power of Dragon Blood
28. Crimson Terror
29. Burning Warrior
30. Mighty Gold Saints
31. Boundless Power of Athena
32. All Seeing Darkness
33. The Light, the Heritage
34. Snatched Soul
35. Red Shooting Star
36. Good Will Calling
37. Armageddon
38. Burning Universe
39. Wings in the Sky
40. Heavenly Light Beam
41. Divine the Future

Thanks to:
http://www.gamers-onlineshop.jp/pn/【サウンドトラック】映画+聖闘士星矢+LEGEND+of+SANCTUARY+Original+Soundtrack/pd/10164675/

SAINT SEIYA OST release date

June 18th 

Saint Seiya OST will be released in Japan.

Unfortunately the track list hasn't been revealed yet. Fingers crossed for YOSHIKI's HERO studio ver!

Enjoy your weekends ppl-

Like cracks in the mirror~X JAPAN reunite

X JAPAN announce 

Madison Square Garden, and

their business card for the tour... A greatest hits album featuring a live version of WITHOUT YOU.

Ok, not exactly what fans were hoping for. But think of this as a means to an end. The band had to release something, or we'd never see another tour, that's the feeling I get. This is probably just out of contractual obligation, and it kinda makes sense to officially launch some of your back catalogue so new comers can get a taste, whether they be media reps or youtubers.

The album art looks a little rushed. Having the logo like a brand front and centre without the globe maybe better for marketing the band. 

Make no mistake, while the songs are remastered, probably not under YOSHIKI's supervision...these are not the English versions. 

Without You will serve as the bait to get fans who own all the other songs to double dip. I'm betting it's also sold as an ALBUM ONLY track on iTunes to make sure ppl don't just buy one song.

Also one more dose of reality... That recording is highly likely the

2009 version on the bands youtube.

But for a band who most non Japanese fans found through the internet, it's a nice opportunity to pay them back for not deleting the thousands of hours we get for free.

Ok the goods news...now that the idea of a best album is out the way, we can move on to the FULL ORIGINAL ALBUM.

You'll notice Tears isn't on the best of..you can bet it'll be on that original album, in English. It's the strongest and least sonically dated ballad they have.

Scarlet Love Song sounds new, but I'm betting they've moved on and not recorded it in English.

Going back to WITHOUT YOU, I'm glad Yoshiki has been playing it on his classical tour. The story and the drama are part of why so many ppl around the world can connect with this band.

Therefore, it's an important part of introducing new comers to the X JAPAN legend.

What to expect from MSG?

- Something crazier than that hologram? I THINK SO!

- a new song? CHECK!

- announcements ? A full world Tour!!!!

- tributes to hide and taiji? 

Really your guess is as good as mine:)

Let's enjoy what we have, and remember that it was only a few years ago that the idea of seeing the members sharing the same stage seemed impossible.

Peace-

YOSHIKI Classical II

Today it was announced that a new YOSHIKI song featuring VIOLET UK vocalist Katie Fitzgerald entitled  'HERO (Yoshiki Classical version)' is to be the theme song to ANIME movie Saint Seya which will be released in Japan in June.

Interestingly, the promotional clip on YOUTUBE shows the song as being
part of YOSHIKI classical II. (see the link below)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fXzcD0RyY10

YOSHIKI has spoken recently of YOSHIKI classical part 2,
saying that it will include ROSA,
which was initially scheduled for Yoshiki Classical.

HERO will be performed during the YOSHIKI Classical tour.
However, the big question on fans' minds is...will the song be released?
Also, was YOSHIKI shooting the promo video for HERO on the beach?
He tweeted Forever Love... but maybe there are a few Promo videos coming our way.
(Let's hope they see the light of day).
Time will tell.

For those lucky enough to be seeing Yoshiki in concert starting the end of this month,
Enjoy!

White Day is X day

3/14 is white day in Japan....

The day the men give chocolates back to the women as a thank you for valentines day (where believe it or not the women give chocolates to the men).

Fittingly, YOSHIKI is scheduled to make an X JAPAN related announcement and supposedly doing something UNIQUE at SXSW.

Will X JAPAN be coming back to japan?

Will they tour with KISS?

Have they been invited to more summer festivals?

Will they take back the Tokyo Dome from

Johnny's?

what do you guys think?

ps.. Sugizo and Heath were spotted at NINE INCH NAILS's tokyo gig a few days back. Would love to hear a collaboration from the other members...also good to see HEATH and Sugizo get along;)

pps... My guess for YOSHIKI's unique performance....is a combined drum and piano solo...why? It'll be more of a spectacle than playing snippets from forever love.

ppps... the REAL toshi has announced concert dates for April.

Also, thank you to the commenters!

I'm so sorry I haven't been able to reply, the app I use to blog is VERY buggy;(

I'll reply soon as I can!

Red Rhapsody (unofficial lyrics ver.1)

Here's the lyrics to Red Rhapsody,

I can't make out the last part.

Hopefully one of you can help out:)

For now here's the unofficial lyrics as best as I can make out.

Enjoy !

Sweet melody

breathes in the world of silence

Til every drop of blood

stops bleeding the emptiness

I'll be screaming my heart

from here to the depths of god's fear

to find a difference we lie

Between now and forever ,

ah I  can see you standing there

I can see you're holding freedom

Over the flame

Did you find the other side of the sky

That we believed

I can feel you standing there

Close enough to hear you breathing

But so far away

To touch the skin with all it's mystery

Can you tie my flesh in light with love

And ropes of velvet

Every choice I made

was to break, break away from loneliness

You can break yourself away

I can see you holding freedom

Over the flame

Did you find the otherside of the sky

that we believed

I can feel you standing there 

close enough to hear you breathing

But so far away 

to touch the skin with all it's mystery, oh

Feel the wind from heaven

Eternity swaying the flame

Til we find the otherside of the world that we conceal

I can feel you standing there

Close enough to feel its burning

..... The ....of life????

Flows into the ocean of life

2/19 announcement

2/19 in LA

YOSHIKI will announce something-

Its highly likely to be dates and venues

for the YOSHIKI solo tour which YOSHIKI has been tweeting and mentioning in recent interviews-

Assume the schedule will take us through to Summer.

Keep your eyes on Twitter ppl!!!

YOSHI-KIMONO planned for Fall 2014?

The most recent Tokyo Journal interview had some interesting information.
3 points you may find interesting.

- YOSHIKI's blood type is B
- VUK and X JAPAN albums were both being worked on and pretty much ready to be released
in Q1 of 2013, but a friend suggested to release an album with the Golden Globe song and Anniversary etc...YOSHIKI liked the idea and we ended up with YC
- YOSHIKI-MONO is slated for a Fall 2014 Launch
(does this mean another VUK fashion show/concert?)

Personally, I feel YOSHIKI launching his solo career using the quiet classical genius/gentleman juxtaposed with super aggressive X JAPAN is already helping establish him to those who are new to his music as being - completely UNIQUE.

~Thanks to Tokyo Journal for the interview~

## not quite sure how to write Yoshikimono. Y - Kimono?

Predictions for 2014

The DECEMBER event has come and gone.
Yoshiki Headphones have been released.

They are a Special YOSHIKI edition of the already available SL150s.
Chosen based on design, comfort, portability as well as sound and performance, relative to 15 other headsets the team tried out. Priced at a premium ($74.97 on Amazon.com for the regular edition which is now heavily discounted vs JPY32,000 for the YOSHIKI model).

Limited to 150 per store, with 2 stores getting them early on 12/12 for the launch event.
12/18 they become available around Japan. With international shipping options via a forwarding company. The biggest headphone specialist in Japan currently has only 5 per store to sell on 12/18. I imagine all of which will be sold via in-store pre-orders.
---- All in all a successful launch and a nice end to 2013.

So I thought I'd finish the year off with...........

My predictions for 2014:

* based on recent events, interviews, past experience, and my optimistic imagination

YOSHIKI CLASSICAL World Tour (announcement coming January 2014)

- begins end March in Japan
- followed by 10 International venues

- 7-8 full songs, 2-3 additional by request

- Katie will sing Rosa and part of 1 unheard/unreleased VIOLET UK song

- The stage will be similar to Grammy Museum

X JAPAN

- TV appearance in Summer (in Japan)

- Japan warm up show(s)

- Unfinished will be played in full (in Japan)
- Say Anything will be added to the setlist and performed as a band (not as a trio)

- BTBF studio ver. released to iTunes (used as a Promo single to launch the world tour)

- World Tour......close to end of 2014 (due to extensive LUNA SEA touring)

- 1 unheard song played live

- Without You dropped from the set list

- Scarlet Love Song played in part, and on Asian leg of the tour only
- No Album
- Nissan Stadium DVD and Blu-Ray will be announced (for Japan only) 

VIOLET UK

- website changed from coming soon to UNDER MAINTENANCE.

- Facebook not updated

WILD CARDS
- Movie theme song will be announced, but not released in 2014
- We will find out what DJ is.

DISCLAIMER:-
This is a super optimistic list. I really believe that Yoshiki Classical will take up at least the 1st half of 2014, if not until the end of Summer.

But if X JAPAN do tour, management will not let them do it without releasing something.

I picked BTBF because its basically already finished, and is their most radio friendly song so far since the reunion. I picked Nissan Stadium because the footage already exists, and unfortunately now that Taiji has passed, this gig has become legendary.

Looking at how long it has taken for YOSHIKI to put out past video releases, its hard to imagine the European Tour DVD/Blu-Ray making it out next year. There's just too much editing involved. It would make sense to release that along with the album...but sense often doesn't come into play, as you guys know.