The problem isn't that anyone is upset with Yoshiki/X for delaying due to Pata's health. The problem is it's more of the same. Sure, the band deserves a break now and again (everyone does), and health issues have to come first, but they've been dragging their feet on this album for years, promising something that's never coming. On top of it, the album's description has changed so many times that it is, it seems, mostly material that's been complete for years. This album has been delayed so many times that now there's actually a serious legitimate reason to delay it. It had to happen eventually. Look at the amount of content they've released since reuniting. It's a joke.
I understand Yoshiki is a perfectionist. I'm an illustrator (which you can probably guess from my username), and I'm not trying to sound like I'm claiming any measure of higher success or discipline than Yoshiki has, but I do firmly believe in the mantra that you have to eventually let go of your art, because if you keep waiting for it to be perfect, it'll never get there. Give it your best, put everything you have into it, put it out into the universe, and then move on to the next thing. Being a perfectionist has pros and cons. When being a perfectionist holds you back from working because you can't get it exactly the way you want it or can't make up your mind on how it should be, then it's a con. It's getting in your own way. And let's not kid ourselves. If Yoshiki spent less time gallivanting, and working on projects like a comic book about himself, and focused on this music, it would have been out years ago. I don't have a problem that he wants to do that stuff. It's his life, and it's been a hard one. But don't dick us around.
The way it looks to me (and I understand my opinion isn't gospel), is that Yoshiki would rather ride the wave of his past rockstardom instead of actually being a rockstar and, you know, making more music. And that's fine. He's earned his status. He put in his blood, sweat, and tears into everything. But it's really simple: If you promise something, deliver. Do right by your fans. Yoshiki is a walking empty promise these days, and that's why news like this does nothing more than make me roll my eyes and forget about X Japan for a few months.
But that's just my two cents.
