X Japan Cancels Paris, Again (jrocknyc)
X-Japan changes (and blows) like the wind (Japanator)
X Japan postpones concerts again, changes plans (Tokyograph)

For those of you not following this thing before today, here’s a summary: big important rock group X JAPAN disbanded in 1997, got back together earlier this year for some concerts, failed to perform at all the concerts after their drummer passed out on top of his equipment–there was some whole big deal about that, too, which we won’t get into–and consequently rescheduled some concerts starting with a performance in Paris. All caught up? Good.

The news has broken that the group has yet again backed out of performances–not just the one in Paris, which would have taken place on the 22nd of this month, but also those scheduled for the rest of the year. Now they’re setting up a bigger and better tour next year. This obviously is not reflecting well on the band, and the general tone in blog entries about the rescheduling could probably be described as “annoyed.” Tokyograph has the news as usual, for those of you wanting the details, but Japanator and jrocknyc are not ones to sit around idly without making a comment. Go’s pointing fingers at Yoshiki…

One begins to wonder if Yoshiki was always a fuck up, and it’s just the free flow of information on the internet that is making that fact clearer now.

… while Zac is just tired of the whole deal altogether.

Pull it together and suck it up guys! This is rock and roll, not a fashion show!

Let’s hope that this doesn’t end in another last-minute cancellation, because I’m not sure X JAPAN fans–yes, even the hardcore ones–will be willing to keep planning trips to France only to get there and find out, oh, right, no concert.

Yoshiki launches jewelry brand

Tokyograph notes the launch of X Japan leader and drummer Yoshiki’s new line of jewelry, of all things. And… honestly, this is just silly. Who is going to buy a crystal drum set? Who is going to use a crystal drum set? Sometimes I feel like every writeup done on this guy should just say “THAAAAAAT’S YOSHIKI!” and nothing more. That would work in lieu of trying to explain why he is selling jewelry, or falling onto his drum kit, or coming up with projects with Gackt that never take shape, or…

Music Review: TOSHI with T-EARTH - EARTH SPIRIT

Cliff agrees with jrocknyc on that whole Deep Purple vibe as well as the expected X Japan aspects, then provides his own take on the album’s tracks.

disc review: toshi with t-earth | "earth spirit" (2008)

Go does a fine job placing this album in perspective for both X Japan fans as well as those who love Deep Purple. I especially like the mention of cowbell.

Natalie - DIR EN GREY hits 22 US cities in this winter

TOSHI remarked "I’ll shout instead of the natural world"

Recommended reading. Natalie breaks news on Dir en Grey’s return to the States on what looks to be a sizeable tour. Meanwhile, X Japan’s Toshi’s new project has its first live and Toshi talks about the group’s intentions. Yoshiki apparently called to give his support, but no word on whether he collapsed on the way to the phone. And as usual, a tidbit about Shinya and how charming he is had made me think of Ayappe and wonder if she was backstage with the kids…

X Japan reschedules Paris show for November

Tokyograph brings us the news of rock group X Japan rescheduling their concert in Paris, France, for sometime this November. It’s also mentioned that the other shows cancelled (due to drummer Yoshiki’s poor health) will be rescheduled as well, and that a “world tour” will hopefully go as planned. A new show is also mentioned for Korea. Let’s keep our fingers crossed that there are no mishaps this time!

X Japan’s Toshi assembles new project (Tokyograph)
Toshi + Jun Team Up (jrocknyc)

Toshi’s made a new band called Toshi with T-Earth, with concerts already lined up and even talk of going international. Tokyograph has the details, Go picks on a particularly weird statement Toshi made about one of his new bandmates. So basically, this is Toshi’s Heaven and Hell to X Japan’s Black Sabbath.

X Japan World Tour Postponed Indefinitely (jrocknyc)
X-Japan shows cancelled due to Yoshiki being a show-off (Japanator)
X Japan suspends international tour due to Yoshiki’s health (Tokyograph)

Recommended reading. Reports have it that Yoshiki was supposed to wear a brace during the Tokyo concerts and is now suffering seriously for not doing so. One has to wonder if collapsing over his drum kit only made matters worse…