"I'll Kill You" is the debut single by Japanese heavy metal band

X Japan was a Japanese rock band from Chiba, formed in 1982 by drummer and pianist Yoshiki and lead vocalist Toshi. Starting as a predominantly power/speed metal band with heavy symphonic elements, they later gravitated towards a progressive soun ...

, then named X, released in June 1985.

Overview

In 1988, Yoshiki explained that the song is not about killing people as the title would suggest, but is a love song in the vein of a disgruntled married couple. All 1,000 copies of the record sold out. The cover art notoriously features numerous photographs of dead bodies taken during the

Vietnam War The Vietnam War (also known by #Names, other names) was a conflict in Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia from 1 November 1955 to the fall of Saigon on 30 April 1975. It was the second of the Indochina Wars and was officially fought between North Vie ...

. A different recording of the B-side, "Break the Darkness", was included on the sampler ''Heavy Metal Force III'' in November 1985. While a re-recording of the title track was later featured on the band's first album, ''

Vanishing Vision ''Vanishing Vision'' is the debut studio album by Japanese heavy metal band X Japan, then known as simply X. It was released on April 14, 1988 by Extasy Records, topped the Oricon indies chart and reached number 19 on the main chart. Overview ...

''. "I'll Kill You" was

covered Cover or covers may refer to: Packaging * Another name for a lid * Cover (philately), generic term for envelope or package * Album cover, the front of the packaging * Book cover or magazine cover ** Book design ** Back cover copy, part of co ...

by French

symphonic black metal Symphonic black metal is a subgenre of black metal that emerged in the 1990s and incorporates symphonic and orchestral elements. Notable symphonic black metal bands include Cradle Of Filth, Dimmu Borgir, Emperor, and Carach Angren. History ...

band

Anorexia Nervosa Anorexia nervosa, often referred to simply as anorexia, is an eating disorder characterized by low weight, food restriction, body image disturbance, fear of gaining weight, and an overpowering desire to be thin. ''Anorexia'' is a term of Gr ...

as a bonus track for the Japanese edition of their 2004 album ''

Redemption Process ''Redemption Process '' is the fourth album by the French symphonic black metal band Anorexia Nervosa Anorexia nervosa, often referred to simply as anorexia, is an eating disorder characterized by low weight, food restriction, body image ...

'' and later included on their 2005 '' The September E.P.'' as well.

Track listing

Personnel

;X * Toshimitsu "Toshi" Deyama –

vocals Singing is the act of creating musical sounds with the voice. A person who sings is called a singer, artist or vocalist (in jazz and/or popular music). Singers perform music (arias, recitatives, songs, etc.) that can be sung with or without ...

* Yoshiki Hayashi –

drums A drum kit (also called a drum set, trap set, or simply drums) is a collection of drums, cymbals, and other Percussion instrument, auxiliary percussion instruments set up to be played by one person. The player (drummer) typically holds a pair o ...

* Atsushi Tokuo –

bass guitar The bass guitar, electric bass or simply bass (), is the lowest-pitched member of the string family. It is a plucked string instrument similar in appearance and construction to an electric or an acoustic guitar, but with a longer neck and ...

* Yuji "Terry" Izumisawa –

guitar The guitar is a fretted musical instrument that typically has six strings. It is usually held flat against the player's body and played by strumming or plucking the strings with the dominant hand, while simultaneously pressing selected stri ...

* Tomoyuki "Tomo" Ogata – guitar ;Production staff * Photo – Kazuyoshi Mori * Design – Atsushi Tokuo * Engineer – Mr. Ohzeki * Sleeve Design – Nobukatsu Hayashi"I'll Kill You" liner notes, 1985-06. Retrieved 2011-11-14.

References

{{authority control X Japan songs Songs written by Yoshiki (musician) English-language Japanese songs 1985 debut singles 1985 songs