BW&BK;'s reliable Japanese source has checked in with news that Sanspo, Japan's largest tabloid paper, is reporting that former X JAPAN bassist Taiji Sawada will join the band as a special guest for two shows, to be held on August 14th and 15th at Nissan Stadium in Tokyo.

Several insiders tell Sanspo that members of X Japan contacted Sawada in mid-July and made the offer to join the concerts. Assuming things go as planned, this will be the first time in 18-and-half years that Sawada and X Japan have played together since Sawada's departure in 1992. The initial split was due to creative differences.

X Japan have yet to make an official statement on the matter. BW&BK;'s source does have direct contact to Sawada, however, and by his account this is more than just rumour. We'll keep you posted.

As previously reported, Sawada's new band TAIJI WITH HEAVEN'S played their first ever live show in Tokyo, Japan at Meguro Live Station on March 26th. 2010. Digest footage from the gig is available below. A review of the show (in English) and pictures are available here. The band's setlist on the night was as follows:

'Keep The Faith'

'Warning'

'Freeze'

'Merry-Go-Round'

'Blood In Blood'

- Ryutaro guitar solo -

'Wish'

'The Virgin' (new song)

'Killer' (new song)

- encore -

'Miscast' (X JAPAN)

'Smells Like Teen Spirit' (NIRVANA)

'Keep The Faith'

The band released their self-titled debut EP on January 13th in their native Japan. The tracklist as follows:

'Keep The Faith'

'Merry Go Round'

'Warning'

'Blood In Blood'

'Wish'

'Freeze'

Check out audio samples here.

BW&BK; scribe Carl Begai recently caught up with Sawada to discuss his new band. Fired from X in 1992, Sawada was snapped up by LOUDNESS and went on to record one album and a live record with the band before departing in 1994. He offered the following on his Loudness experience:

“Akira Takasaki (guitars) asked me to join when I was fired from X. It truly blew me away since Loudness was my favorite band of all time. If I would have to give you reasons for leaving I’d have to write a book about it. The time and experiences I spent with Loudness were just incredible. I cannot express my gratitude in words. I still benefit from what I’ve learned from them in all aspects of my life. I thank them from bottom of my heart.”

Go to this location for the complete interview, which also features discussion on X Japan and Taiji With Heaven's debut EP.