Kurenai (song)
Encyclopedia
is the major label debut single released by X Japan
(then named X) on September 1, 1989. Originally featured on the band's debut album Vanishing Vision
, this version is more similar to the re-recording for the album Blue Blood, but is still slightly different. The song exemplifies the band's trademark mix of speed metal
, ballad
and symphonic
elements.
"Kurenai" is one of X Japan's signature songs, being played at most of their concerts, often accompanied by the stage being lit in red light and the band pausing during the last third in order to let the audience sing the chorus on their own. This single edit features that specific bit of a live performance added after the studio recording, hence the title being written as "紅 Kurenai + Your Voice" on the back of the single's case. The b-side is a live recording of the song "20th Century Boy
", originally by British rock band T. Rex
. The live material was recorded on June 10, 1989 at Hibiya Yaon.
The title song was covered by Brazilian power metal band Shaman, on the Japanese edition of their 2010 album Origins. It was also covered by Matenrou Opera
on the compilation Crush! -90's V-Rock Best Hit Cover Songs-, which was released on January 26, 2011 and features current visual kei
bands covering songs from bands that were important to the '90s visual kei movement. It is also a playable song in the music video game
s Taiko no Tatsujin Wii: Do Don to 2 Daime
and Taiko no Tatsujin: Portable DX
.
X Japan
is a Japanese heavy metal band founded in 1982 by Yoshiki and Toshi. Originally named X , the group achieved their breakthrough success in 1989 with the release of their second album Blue Blood...
(then named X) on September 1, 1989. Originally featured on the band's debut album Vanishing Vision
Vanishing Vision
Vanishing Vision is the debut album of X Japan and was released on April 14, 1988 on Yoshiki's own label, Extasy Records, selling over 800,000 copies. Included are early versions of the songs "Kurenai" and "Unfinished" which would later be rerecorded for the band's second album Blue Blood.-Track...
, this version is more similar to the re-recording for the album Blue Blood, but is still slightly different. The song exemplifies the band's trademark mix of speed metal
Speed metal
Speed metal is a sub-genre of heavy metal music that originated in the late 1970s from NWOBHM and hardcore punk roots. It is described by Allmusic as "extremely fast, abrasive, and technically demanding" music....
, ballad
Ballad
A ballad is a form of verse, often a narrative set to music. Ballads were particularly characteristic of British and Irish popular poetry and song from the later medieval period until the 19th century and used extensively across Europe and later the Americas, Australia and North Africa. Many...
and symphonic
Symphonic metal
Symphonic metal is a term used to describe heavy metal music that has symphonic elements; that is, elements that are either borrowed from classical music or, as with progressive rock music, create a style reminiscent of it, e.g...
elements.
"Kurenai" is one of X Japan's signature songs, being played at most of their concerts, often accompanied by the stage being lit in red light and the band pausing during the last third in order to let the audience sing the chorus on their own. This single edit features that specific bit of a live performance added after the studio recording, hence the title being written as "紅 Kurenai + Your Voice" on the back of the single's case. The b-side is a live recording of the song "20th Century Boy
20th Century Boy
"20th Century Boy" is a song by T. Rex, written by Marc Bolan. It was released as a single in 1973 and reached #3 in the UK Singles Chart. The song did not feature on an original studio album but was included as a bonus track on a reissue of 1973 album Tanx.It later returned to the UK Top 20 in...
", originally by British rock band T. Rex
T. Rex (band)
T. Rex were a British rock band, formed in 1967 by singer/songwriter and guitarist Marc Bolan. The band formed as Tyrannosaurus Rex, releasing four folk albums under the name...
. The live material was recorded on June 10, 1989 at Hibiya Yaon.
The title song was covered by Brazilian power metal band Shaman, on the Japanese edition of their 2010 album Origins. It was also covered by Matenrou Opera
Matenrou Opera
is a Japanese visual kei metal band. The band was formed in 2007 by Sono and Yuu who were previously the vocalist and drummer of Jeniva. Their first maxi-single was on the Office A to Z label...
on the compilation Crush! -90's V-Rock Best Hit Cover Songs-, which was released on January 26, 2011 and features current visual kei
Visual Kei
is a movement among Japanese musicians, that is characterized by the use of make-up, elaborate hair styles and flamboyant costumes, often, but not always, coupled with androgynous aesthetics. Some sources state that visual kei refers to a music genre, or to a sub-genre of Japanese rock, with its...
bands covering songs from bands that were important to the '90s visual kei movement. It is also a playable song in the music video game
Music video game
A music video game, also commonly known as a music game, is a video game where the gameplay is meaningfully and often almost entirely oriented around the player's interactions with a musical score or individual songs...
s Taiko no Tatsujin Wii: Do Don to 2 Daime
Taiko no Tatsujin Wii: Do Don to 2 Daime
, or simply known as Taiko no Tatsujin Wii 2, is a music rhythm game for the Wii. It was released on November 19, 2009 only in Japan. It is the sequel of Taiko no Tatsujin Wii.- Features :...
and Taiko no Tatsujin: Portable DX
Taiko no Tatsujin: Portable DX
is a rhythm video game for PlayStation Portable. It was released on July 14, 2011 in Japan. It is the third installment of the Taiko Portable series. This game is a part of the Taiko franchise's 10th anniversary.- Download Content :...
.