X JAPAN Sign with EMI Music

X JAPAN, one of the most successful rock bands in Japan, have signed an exclusive three-year manufacturing and distribution agreement with American label EMI Music.

This agreement follows on from the band's debut US concert last August at Lollapalooza and their North American tour, which culminated in a sold-out show at New York's Roseland Ballroom. The performances during this tour quickly established why X JAPAN are such a phenomenon in their homeland and have presented the perfect opportunity for an American release.

Their first offering to the US will be the single Jade, set to be released on March 15th. There are also plans for an album, which was announced in a press release in the summer. To promote this album, the band will be touring extensively in 2011. Teaser tracks from the album are available on X JAPAN's official website but further details about its release date are still unknown.

The band's management is currently in the process of closing deals regarding contracts outside of North America.