Vanishing Vision [IMPORT]

X Japan

Product Details

• Audio CD (October 15, 2000)
• Format: Import
• Label: Exta
• ASIN: B000055YIA
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #427,825 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Track Listings

1. Dear Loser

2. Vanishing Love

3. Phantom Of Guilt

4. Sadistic Desire

5. Give Me The Pleasure

6. I'll Kill You

7. Alive

8. Kurenai

9. Unfinished

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars From the cd, their legend had started.., January 25, 2005

By	taka(Japanese (Tokyo, Japan) - See all my reviews

This album is memorial first album for them, X (in those days, their band name was not X Japan. They tried to debut in U.S.A, their band name changed from X to X Japan. Though at last their challenge gave up.). The released age was about 1988-89. On the Japanese music scene at that time, a boom blowed, that is, "Band Boom" from about 1985. The pioneers were for exemple, BOOWY(once Kyosuke Himuro, Tomoyasu Hotei belonged) or Rebbeca(Nokko belonged). X was added to the stream of Band Boom too. But they were a little different to their stream. They made special makeups on their faces or bodies. By such showing, X have been called the pioneer of Japanese Visual Bands like Gray etc.
But their charms were not just the showy character They had incredible playing technique. At first listening, we may think that X was hard rock band, but when listen to their cd carefully, you will understand that that is fault. X was only band in the world that they mixed hard rock and classical sounds. Even Japanese like me was shocked to listening their songs at first time.
Their live performance was very hard tensiong more than I imagined. Yoshiki's druming was the playing as if he lost his control, but all the attacks of drum were exact playing. Vocal Toshi's high tone voice was over human ability, god's level. Hide(now passed away) and Pata 's twin guitar sounds were very beautiful and their tempo was exact. Taiji(in the latter, the member changed to Heath)'s bass play was very exciting.

Off course some of their songs were made by Yoshiki. As he studied about many music genres, not only rock music but also classical music like piano, sax, violin etc, he knew how to make songs that tempted music fans.

This album was released from Indies(under ground activity) record rabel. After that, X did major debut. But in such indies activity condition, their rumor that X had incredible playing techniques expanded to all Japanese bands mouth to mouth. The great point of this album was that X established their style on those age already, that is, in addition to such hard rock number like Vanishing Love, they tried to mix hard rock and classical sounds like Unfinished. On the first age, X was a perfect band
already.

Anyway, by this album all the X Legend had been started.

Thank you for reading poor English.

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Indies Album Of The Legendary X Japan, October 28, 2002

By	"ssj4brad" (Jacksonville, Florida United States) - See all my reviews

This was the indies debut of the now legendary J-Rock group, X Japan. When this album was released in 1988 (When X Japan was just known as X), it was a huge sucess in the indies scene, helping to pave the way for X Japan's major label debut album, BLUE BLOOD. This album is Metal all the way through, save for the final track, UN-FINISHED. Its also much darker in nature compared to some of X Japan's other albums. Here, I'll give a track by track overview:

1.DEAR LOSER - A dark, heavy, instrumental opening. Very evil, almost apocalyptic sounding. If the world was coming to an end, this is the kind of music that would play in the background.

2.VANISHING LOVE - A furiously fast paced track, showcasing great guitar and drum work. Very nice.

3.PHANTOM OF GUILT - Similar to VANISHING LOVE, however, a bit darker and eerier. Equally impressive guitar and drum work. I like this a little better than the last one.

4.SADISTIC DESIRE - This track opens with a scream, so that should tell you something right there. So should the title. One of my favorites, the overall feel of the song is insane, but in a VERY good way. Blazing fast, and I love every second of it.

5.GIVE ME THE PLEASURE - Undoubtedly, the scariest track on the album. Instead of the "lyrics" being sung, they're screamed by terrifying demonic voices. The most evil of all the tracks. Definetely a change in pace.

6.I'LL KILL YOU - The title says it all. Definetely another favorite, this is the best scream along song on the album. The lyrics are in English, and are easy to remember, so don't hold back. "I'll! Kill! Yoooouuuuu!"

7.ALIVE - My favorite track on the album, without a doubt. It begins with a haunting piano solo, then slowly adds in guitars, with emotional vocals by Toshi, the lead singer. Then, the drums kick in, and it becomes a slow yet heavy and very dark piece. Powerful all the way through, and has an ending that stays with you when its done. A true standout.

8.KURENAI - My 2nd favorite track, it starts out slow and melancholy, then stops completely, then... kicks into what has to be one of the fastest metal tracks I've ever heard. The guitars shred, the drums pound, and it doesn't stop for a breather till its over. Incredible.

9.UN-FINISHED... - A short piece, barely clocking in at 1:30. However, in that period of time, your treated to a sad and beautiful ballad-esque song. The ending leaves a lasting impression by catching you off guard. A great closing to this album.

In conclusion, if your looking to hear X Japan's first album, if you want to know what these legends of J-Rock sounded like in their indies days, or if your just looking for some good old fashioned speed metal, well... (Please excuse the pun) X marks the spot. Sorry, I just had to say that. Most of the songs on this album are in English, so language shouldn't be much of a hinderance. Possibly, this album's only flaw is that it's a little rough around the edges, but it is an indies album, so what did you expect? However, X Japan's undeniable talent shines through. Give Vanishing Vision a shot, you won't be dissapointed.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Underrated, September 15, 2005

By	M. Ruggiero (Middletown, CT United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This album is some of the hardest speed metal I have heard....

Most X Japan fans dont seem to like it since it sounds very 80s metalish and there is not many ballads on this cd.....if you like Queensryche's "The Warning", you will love this cd. It sounds very much like it.