A trailer for Buddha, the animated adaptation of the classic Manga by Osamu Tezuka featuring X Japan’s “Scarlet Love Song.”

In 2008, I caught my first listen to a reunited X Japan in the most unlikely of places. “I.V.” a song written for the American-made horror film, Saw IV was the first new material to come from the band since their split after their final concert, known as “The Last Live,” held on New Year’s Eve in 1997. “I.V.” used previously recorded material from former lead guitarist Hide Matsumoto who tragically died just months after X Japan broke up in 1998.

After deciding to reunite, the question of who could possibly fill Matsumoto’s shoes was paramount to the band. Initially, X Japan went so far as to use hologram technology to seemingly bring Hide back to life during the band’s first live performance after the reunion. Sugizo, lead guitarist for another notable Visual Kei band, Luna Sea, filled in for Hide on a few live performances. Eventually the band accepted him as the sixth member, paying tribute to their fallen comrade while welcoming Sugizo to the band.

Earlier this year, a newly-complete X Japan hot of the heels of their first North American tour in late 2010, released “Scarlet Love Song;” the main theme for the animated adaptation of master Manga artist Osamu Tezuka’s Buddha. Naturally, the first new track at all in three years and the first to feature Sugizo, was met with success. The track reached the number one spot on iTunes in Japan.

X Japan’s official music video for “Jade.”

Tomorrow, the rest of the world gets a taste of X Japan with the release of the first single of their as-of-yet-unnamed, (primarily) English album in the form of “Jade.” As I’ve previously mentioned, this release coincides with the band’s London show; the first stop on their European tour.This new track will be available in what the official press release describes as “all digital formats.” We can safely assume this means iTunes and Amazon at the very least. Until then, we’ll have to make due with the official “Jade” music video (above).