Proving once again that rock never dies, legendary outfit X Japan pulled capacity crowds to Tokyo Dome last month for three reunion concerts, with pre-show tickets selling out within an hour of going on sale and fans outside the venue happily coughing up US$2,000 for a 12,800 yen (Bt3,950) seat.

The band, playing for the first time since the death of guitarist Hide in 1998, spared no expense for their comeback, spending $25 million on a complex metal stage structure, seven giant screens and superb special effects, which included a $1.5-million hologram that put Hide right on stage with them.

This reviewer, a major league fan, was lucky enough to catch all three concerts. The first was cut short when drummer Yoshiki collapsed, bringing back memories of a similar breakdown - albeit at the piano - during the "Dahlia" tour 10 years ago.

The concert started with a bang, with the band swinging into "Rusty Nail", "Weekend", and "Silent Jealousy" followed, after the break, by ballads, "Say Anything" and "Without You", before letting rip with "IV".

The second and third concerts were better with different set lists but the same highlight - a long drum solo by Yoshiki on his rotating stage that rose into the air and travelled into the middle of the arena.

The heartbreaking ballad "Endless Rain" was performed in the last show and proved a fitting tribute to Hide, with the audience singing the chorus for more 10 minutes, even after the band had left the stage.

By Kitchana Lersakvanitchakul

Daily Xpress,Tokyo

>> X Japan's new song "IV" - part of the soundtrack for the movie Saw IV - is now available as a digital download

 >> The band is due to play  in Paris (July 5) and  New York (September 13).

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