X Japan’s Yoshiki Unveils New Documentary ‘We Are X’ in New York City [Photo Gallery]

A small group of press and fans gathered at the Crosby Hotel to see a special screening of ‘We Are X.’ The brand new documentary depicts the trials, tribulations and triumphs that X Japan have experienced for over three decades.

The film begins with a discussion on death, a theme that remains constant throughout the documentary. A defining moment of band leader Yoshiki’s life was dealing with his father’s death. Additionally, X Japan are a band marked by death after losing members Hide in 1998 and Taiji in 2011. A large part of the film was a countdown to their show at Madison Square Garden in New York City, a testament to their perseverance as a band.

After the screening, Yoshiki (the drummer, piano player, composer and mastermind of X Japan) and director Stephen Kijak held a Q&A with the crowd. They both spoke about the process of creating the film and the tumultuous history of the band.

Kijak talked about X Japan and the feeling they evoke as a band. “I felt like this band just on the visual aspect alone was this bottomless pit of inspiration and could really become something really cinematic but also super emotional too.”

Yoshiki reflected on the first time he was approached about making a documentary. “My agent in Los Angeles he and I have been friends for a long time. He said over five or six years ago, “You need to create a documentary” and I was like, 'Whoa, that’s too heavy, I won’t open that door.' To go back to every single moment was too painful.”

During the Q&A, it was revealed that X Japan will be releasing a new album, one that’s 20 years in the making since their 1996 release Dahlia.

“I encountered a fanbase and it sounds cheesy when you say ‘X Japan heals people’ and they’re so devotional but they really are. There’s an outtake of a woman I think she was a fan from Puerto Rico and her and her boyfriend came to MSG and claimed your music put her cancer in remission twice. It’s like that kind of thing over and over again, you feel it” said Kijak.

After the Q&A viewers were taken to a beautiful room with a grand piano in the center of it. Yoshiki treated everyone to a classical piano piece and a piano version of an X Japan original. With red wine in hand Yoshiki greeted, took photos and chatted with fans to end the night.

We Are X hits select theaters on Oct. 21, 2016. Check out our gallery above of Yoshiki of X Japan and director Stephen Kijak. You can also catch Yoshiki performing at the world famous Carnegie Hall in New York City on Jan. 12 and 13. Details here.

Watch X Japan's 'We Are X' Movie Trailer Below:

Yoshiki of X Japan Plays 'Wikipedia Fact or Fiction':