I have complex feelings on it. I really am excited. Just a month ago I said It was a total waste there wasnt an X song showcasing Sugizo's violin. Now, there will be one. I just think it is disengenous to call it an X song when it has one original member on it. Toshi is a founder. X was formed by him and Yoshiki over 30 years ago. Regardless of X being " Yoshikis band", Toshis role can never be over exaggerated.
Now, perhaps I am a hypocrite. I did support versions if Guns N Roses where Axl was the sole remaining original member. I accepted that they were fundamentally completely different bands, and continued to enjoy what those lineups did. However, X currently consists of the most authentic lineup possible, hide and Taiji are dead. Sugizo was hide's friend and I totally support his membership, so I am happy to have him. Guns also hated each other, so those lineups were the best I had at the time. X has all of its members. If X had put out the album and we had material, perhaps Id be more excited about this collaboration with Hyde, but this is only going to be the 7th officially released track in 10 years. 2 of those were unplugged versions of songs. We don't have a lot of post reunion material, and considering the large amount of exposure this song will receive, it is natural Id want the entire band featured on it. We also dont have many guitar based tracks, so its also natural some of us may be frusturated with another short piano ballad. It doesnt mean it wont be a good song or I wont be happy to have it, I did want Sugizos violin with Yoshikis piano, after all. Its just a high action show, a cool guitar based rock song would have been exciting, especially because there havent been many
So yes, Yoshiki is the only original member but I fully accept Sugizo. I think this is different than stuff like Love Replica and Crucify My Love because those were pieces of albums. I also think Toshis role is absolutely vital, so I have less trouble calling something like Without You an X song. Ultimately, what matters most is the music. I hope its a song I enjoy and look forward to hearing it