X JAPAN Confirm LUNA SEA Guitarist As Permanent Member And Return Of Bassist, Pro-Shot Live Footage From January 2009 Hong Kong Show Available
April 30, 2009, 15 years ago
BW&BK;'s Japanese source Takashi Kanazawa has checked in with the following exclusive X JAPAN update:;
"On April 30th, the band announced that the sixth member is Sugizo of LUNA SEA, and bassist Heath, who was rumored to have left the band is back and will be playing at Tokyo Dome shows on May 2nd and 3rd.In a statement, Heath apologized fans for the troubles and his 'selfish action.' He said that he has been mentally unstable and kept himself incommunicado after being lost in uncertainty about the future as an artist. He says that after numerous dissuasion by Yoshiki (drums), he decided to come back to the band."
Sugizo's entry into the band comes as no surprise to X Japan fans, as he has been performing with the band as a session player in place of late guitarist Hide for close to a year. He has issued the following statement:
"I came to conclusion after trying to sense Hide's will as possible as I could. I will always go on stage with him, and try to present his presence and breath through me to every one of you."Pro-shot live footage of the band's "new" line-up, filmed in Hong Kong on January 17th, 2009 is available below.
