“JADE,” X JAPAN’S BRAND NEW SINGLE, TO BE RELEASED IN ASIA TODAY DEBUTS AT #1 ON JAPANESE iTUNES
X Japan Returns From Triumphant European Tour

“Jade,” the long-awaited new single from X Japan, has been released in Asiatoday, July 13,and debuted at #1 on the Japanese iTunes’ Top Singles and Top Rock Chart charts. “Jade” is the first track from the band’s upcoming album, currently in the final stages of recording.

Released in North America, Europe, and South America on June 28, “Jade” has charted on the iTunes Rock charts in the U.S., UK, Switzerland, the Netherlands, Italy, and Austria. In addition, the track scored Top 10 positions on the iTunes Rock Charts in France, Germany and Finland, and was #1 in Spain and Sweden. “Jade” also charted on iTunes’ overall Top Songs charts in Spain, Sweden, France, and Finland.

Written and produced by Yoshiki and mixed by Andy Wallace, “Jade” was recorded in both Japan and at Yoshiki’s Los Angeles studio, the same studio where Metallica recorded its classic Black album before Yoshiki bought it and turned it into a private facility.

The song features the thunderous drums and bass of Yoshiki and Heath, respectively, the searing twin guitar work of Pata and Sugizo, and Toshi’s dynamic vocals. With most lyrics sung in English, “Jade” is a hauntingly romantic tale of embracing the beautiful sadness of death, and showcases X Japan’s eclectic mix of rock, goth and classical music.

“We are very excited to make ‘Jade’ available in Asia,” said Yoshiki, “and are thrilled by the inroads we have made with it in countries around the world, most we’ve never even been to.”

In addition, X Japan has just completed its career-first run of Europe, achieving a years-long goal of playing to their European fans. The band sold out shows in London, the Netherlands and Germany (which had to be moved to a larger venue), and packed the near-6,000-seat Paris venue. According to Yoshiki, “The audience response was more than we ever could have imagined, the fans went crazy from the beginning of the shows, and it just got more and more intense as the nights went on. At the show in the Netherlands, the fans got so excited, the barricade in front of the stage was broken through. By the end of every concert, everyone – the band and the fans – were absolutely elated.”

At the sold-out London show, the lines to get in went around the block, people stood in line to buy tickets in case any became available (none did), and X Japan broke all merchandise sales records for the venue, a feat they also accomplished last October when they headlined the sold out Roseland Ballroom in New York.

The press who came out to the London show were just as captivated by the show as were the fans. One journalist said it was “…one of the best shows we have ever been lucky enough to witness…truly magnificent,” while a reporter from the BBC was jumping and crossing her forearms to make the “X” sign along with everyone else – an expected activity at all X Japan concerts during the band’s signature song, “X.”