Extasy Records
Japanese label that launched visual kei and major rock acts.
Extasy Records is a Japanese label launched in April 1986 by Yoshiki, the co-founder of X Japan. Its debut release was X’s single “Orgasm” later that year. Over time, the label signed several acts that were then obscure, including future million-sellers Glay and Luna Sea. Alongside Free-Will, Extasy is recognized for advancing the visual kei movement. The label also organized promotional concerts called Extasy Summits, which sometimes featured former signees who had moved to major labels.
Yoshiki started Extasy using money his mother gave him after she sold her business. He explained that after X’s 1985 release “I’ll Kill You” didn’t work out with Dada Records, and other labels approached them, he and his band didn’t understand the industry, so they formed their own label to have full control. After the “Orgasm” single, the label went on hiatus for two years, then revived to release X’s first album, *Vanishing Vision*, in April 1988. Its success as an independent release prompted Yoshiki to continue the label as other acts began contacting him. In the following years, Extasy signed bands like Zi:Kill and Tokyo Yankees, producing their early records. Yoshiki said he had no ambition to make Extasy a big success—he just wanted to shake up the independent scene. He chose bands mostly because they were friends or acquaintances. For instance, Sex George, a former X roadie, pestered Yoshiki to release Ladies Room’s single “Swapping Party” in June 1988. Ex-Ans vocalist Tohru Hara had been with Extasy from the start and, according to both him and Yoshiki, handled the label’s daily operations by 1989. Both Sex George and Ken of Zi:Kill noted that, unlike most labels, Extasy let them make records however they wanted.
In February 1991, Yoshiki’s X Japan bandmate Hide saw a band called Lunacy perform and introduced them to Yoshiki. Signed to Extasy, they changed their name to Luna Sea and joined the Nuclear Fusion Tour in March 1991 alongside Gilles de Rais and Sighs of Love Potion. A sample CD with one track from each band was released on that tour. Luna Sea’s self-titled debut album came out the following year, and after a successful 45-date tour, they signed with major label MCA Victor in May 1992. Hide also gave Yoshiki a demo from Glay, leading Yoshiki to attend their October 1993 show with an entourage, where he offered them a contract. Glay’s debut album, *Hai t
- founded
- April 1986
- founder
- Yoshiki
- country
- Japan
- genre_focus
- Visual kei, rock
- notable_artists
- X Japan, Glay, Luna Sea, Zi:Kill
- status
- Inactive since 2003, relaunched in 2023
Lore & Background
Yoshiki founded Extasy Records in Japan in 1986, using money he received from his mother when she sold her business. He explained that, after releasing 'I'll Kill You' in 1985, things did not work out with Dada Records, and although they were approached by various other record labels, he and his band X Japan (then still named X) did not understand the music industry and decided to just form their own label so they could do whatever they wanted. X's second single, 'Orgasm', was Extasy's first release in April 1986. The label then went into hiatus for two years until reviving in order to release X's first album. April 1988's Vanishing Vision was a huge success for an independent band. After that, Yoshiki said the label continued because various acts suddenly started contacting him to release their records.
Over the next couple of years Extasy signed many bands that would go on to have varying degrees of success and produced their early records, including Zi:Kill and Tokyo Yankees. Yoshiki said that he had no plans to make Extasy a big success, he simply wanted to shake things up in the independent scene. When asked how he decided which bands to sign, Yoshiki said that they were essentially all just friends or acquaintances. For example, Sex George said he was a roadie for X until he bugged Yoshiki to release the June 1988 single 'Swapping Party' by his band Ladies Room. Ex-Ans vocalist Tohru Hara said he had been with Extasy since its inception, and both he and Yoshiki said that he handled all the day-to-day work for the label as of 1989. Both Sex George and Ken of Zi:Kill said that, unlike most record labels, Extasy allowed them to make their records however they wanted.
Reader's Guide
Extasy Records played a foundational role in the development of the visual kei movement in Japan, alongside Free-Will. By signing and promoting bands such as X Japan, Luna Sea, and Glay—all of whom later achieved major commercial success—the label provided a launchpad for artists who would define a generation of Japanese rock. The label's Extasy Summits, concerts that included both current and former acts, helped build a cohesive scene and gave exposure to emerging talent. Yoshiki's hands-off approach, allowing bands creative freedom, distinguished Extasy from larger labels and fostered a distinctive sound. Though the label became inactive after 2003, its legacy persisted through the continued success of its alumni. The 2023 relaunch under Yoshiki's brother Kōki, with a new imprint Extasy Beyond, signaled an attempt to revive the 'Extasy spirit' for a new era. The label's influence is also seen in its recording studio, Extasy Recording Studios in North Hollywood, where iconic albums by Metallica and others were made before Yoshiki purchased it.
Did You Know?
- Extasy Records' first release was X Japan's 1986 single 'Orgasm'.
- The label's Extasy Summits included former acts that had moved to major labels.
- Yoshiki bought One on One Recording studio in 1992 after being told the only way to book time was to buy it.
- In 2022, Yoshiki's brother Kōki became president and CEO of Extasy Records.
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