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X Japan Reunion Concerts Confirmed for March in Japan (Updated)
posted on by Egan Loo
Yoshiki Hayashi, the drummer, pianist, and songwriter of the X Japan rock group, has confirmed in two January 20 events and on his Myspace web page the dates for the group's reunion concerts in Japan. X Japan will perform in the Tokyo Dome, which is among the largest arenas in Japan, on March 28 and 30. Those dates had been previously reported in the Japanese press. "X Japan Kōgeki Saikai 2008 I.V. ~Hametsu ni Mukatte" ("X Japan's Attack Resumes 2008 I.V.: Heading Towards Destruction") will be X Japan's first full-length concert since it performed at the same locale on December 31, 1997, and the first since the death of guitarist Hideto "Hide" Matsumoto on May 2, 1998. The four surviving members — Toshimitsu "Toshi" Deyama, YOSHIKI, Tomoaki "Pata" Ishizuka, and Hiroshi "Heath" Morie — will all return for both nights, which have been titled "Night of Destruction" and "Night of Creation." The group performed the music in the X² animated music video collection and the "Forever Love" ending theme song in Rintarō's X anime movie. Both Madhouse works were based on the X manga by CLAMP.
"I.V." is the title of the band's new song which features Hide's guitar work and plays within the Japanese release of the Saw IV movie. It has just begun selling on Apple's online iTunes Store in 23 countries, including Japan, United States, and Canada, on January 23. The website of the Jrock Revolution music festival is hosting the promotional video for "I.V" and the promotional video for the X Japan Returns Complete Edition DVD. Jrock Revolution is also planning to organize a travel package for people wishing to attend the concerts. No North American concerts have yet to be announced.
Thank you to madhattermd01 for the news tip.
Source: Chunichi Sports
Update: "I.V" was also used in the non-Japanese releases of Saw IV. Thanks, jendt.
