X Japan | Roseland Ballroom

X Japan | Roseland Ballroom

"WE WANT X! WE WANT X!" Thirty minutes before the X Japan show even started, the crowd began chanting. And why not? What other rock show nowadays features lasers, violin solos (of "The Star Spangled Banner," no less), a calvalcade of power chords, drum solos, and the world's largest birthday cake (for singer Toshi)? Everything about X Japan is massive -- including their pedigree (selling 30 million records, almost entirely in Asia). Sunday night, the group -- currently nearing the end of their first U.S. tour ever -- delivered an arena rock spectacle, highlighted by singalong, "November Rain"-ish power ballads ("I.V."), defiant metal anthems ("Born to be Free"), and the tearful affirmations of drummer/pianist/X Japan mastermind Yoshiki, who announced at show's end, "When you believe in yourself, dreams can come true. And then you fucking rock the world!" MORE PHOTOS

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