X-Japan
Dahlia

Foolish is one who believes that the Japanese cannot produce decent music: even just a glance at the essential discography of j-rock quickly reveals how our friends from the Land of the Rising Sun often give plenty of competition to the renowned Western bands, both in terms of composition and performance. And if there is one essential band for anyone wanting to approach this world, I truly believe it is X Japan. Formed back in '82, this band was one of the pioneers and the main developer of the so-called visual kei, a genre akin to pop-rock in which the visual aspect and stage presence of the bands are heavily emphasized, sometimes to paroxysmal levels, unfortunately at times to the detriment of musical value. Don't worry, in this case, the music is very much present.

Even from a first, fleeting listen, the remarkable abilities of the individual members stand out, primarily those of Yoshiki Hayashi, an exceptional drummer, as well as a skilled keyboardist and the main composer of the band, not to mention the late guitarist Hideto Matsumoto (known as hide), who tragically passed away in '98. The only aspect one might have doubts about is the singer Toshimitsu Deyama, who has a limited vocal range, resulting in an uneven quality in his performances - but one quickly gets used to this detail. The songs of X mainly fall into three categories: there are fast-paced and intense tracks in full speed-power style (the emblematic Jealousy from the album Silent Jealousy), others display a vibrant and melodic hard-rock outfit, very close to the style of American bands like the Kiss, and then there are majestic symphonic ballads.

DAHLIA, the album reviewed here, was released in '96, and it serves as the epitaph of the lineup before a long period of disbandment, due to the singer Toshi's desire to pursue a solo career, but especially because of hide's death two years later, which occurred under unclear circumstances. Despite this, the album is probably the most beautiful in the group's discography, showcasing great artistic maturity and a solid command of their craft. A particular element that sets Dhalia apart from the other X works is the heavy presence of the aforementioned melancholic ballads, which almost overshadow the other tracks. The typical elements of the group's music are nonetheless maintained: the title track, SCARS, Rusty Nail, and WRIGGLE are there to prove it, energetic and compelling tracks that perfectly blend melody, power, and class. However, the orchestral pieces also shine with an intense light: the delicate CRUCIFY MY LOVE, the more tormented Longing, and the emotionally charged masterpiece Tears represent the pinnacle of the artistic journey of a band that had the merit of forging a genre that would later be revisited by many other artists, but still unmatched in intensity and beauty. Worth noting is the concluding Forever Love, a track somewhat overshadowed by the dominant presence of Toshi's voice, but ultimately confirmed as another gem, even performed at the funeral of the never forgotten hide.

An album nothing short of perfect, sealing the studio adventure of a group that, perhaps, in the realm of contemporary Japanese music, was the greatest ever. With the hope to see them back one day with a new album and new emotions.