In deciding to release a solo album, Sugizo -- guitarist for the extremely popular rock bands Luna Sea and X Japan -- set two criteria for choosing guest singers: He should think they're cool, and be able to persuade them to work with him in just one phone call.
For "Oneness M," Sugizo aimed to turn the "fruits of my human relationships" into works of music, and he eventually got 10 singers, including Teru from the rock band Glay and Jinsei Tsuji.
Produced under the Universal label, the album features powerful works Sugizo created by combining two contrasting sounds: cold electro music and the warmth of the guitar.
When The Yomiuri Shimbun visited his personal studio, Sugizo said he'd had a recording session with Luna Sea until the morning of the day before, and also with X Japan until the morning two days earlier.
"I never thought I'd be making three albums in the same year, including my own album," Sugizo said. "Maybe I'm close to the limits of a human being."
Sugizo's solo album and Luna Sea's new album hit store shelves last year. He said the first album by X Japan since 1996 is probably set for release this year.
The guitarist also asked his guest artists to write the lyrics for many of the album's songs. Toshi, the vocalist for X Japan, wrote one verse for "Phoenix -- Hinotori" in English. The lyrics remind listeners of how he made a comeback after being "brainwashed" by a self-enlightenment group.
"[Toshi] had a cruel experience but came back," Sugizo said. "I asked him to write a message only he can deliver."
The music on the album is mainly electro music. Sugizo employs the same composition method using a computer, be it for a band or for his solo activities.
"Eien" (Eternity) was originally written for Luna Sea, but it wasn't included in the band's repertoire.
"This work has a special place inside me, so I restructured it as my own work," the guitarist said. "It's the difference between playing it to match the band, or building the work note-by-note like electronic music."
Sugizo said he's never thought of composing music with a particular intention.
"I wouldn't call it automatic writing, but in my case music naturally flows out," he said. "I feel like I'm a midwife."
With X Japan, Sugizo has taken over the role played by guitarist Hide, who passed away in 1998.
"I have different feelings toward the [band's] old and new works," he said. "As for the works Hide-san used to play, I aim to re-create the way he breathed and played. This is close to how you play classical music.
"As for later works, I play them completely in my own style."
Sugizo said he's grateful he's been able to continue his music career, and this feeling is an important element in his latest album.
"Music has always saved me -- both when I was really successful, and also when I was on the verge of filing for individual bankruptcy," the guitarist said. "I hope listeners will feel like this life of mine isn't such a waste."
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