X (later changed to X JAPAN in 1992 to avoid confusion with the American punk band X) is arguably one of the most influential metal bands in the history of the Japanese music scene. Formed by childhood friends YOSHIKI and Toshi in 1976, X was originally founded to play high energy metal music in the vein of Japanese metal legends Loudness, and Western bands like Iron Maiden. The band consisted of Toshi (vocals), YOSHIKI (drums, piano, composer, lyricist), hide (guitar), Pata (guitar), and Taiji/Heath (bass), until 1997 when they disbanded.

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