It was announced this morning that HEATH, bassist of X JAPAN, passed away in late October.

He had apparently felt sick throughout much of the year and, upon meeting with a doctor, was diagnosed with late stage cancer, and passed away shortly thereafter. He was 55.

The cancer diagnosis was so recent that he had apparently not yet informed the other members of X JAPAN; this adds context to YOSHIKI's November 3rd social media post in which he wore mourning clothes and wrote that he was traveling back to Japan for an emergency.

According to an anonymous source, HEATH had been working on a project since the beginning of the year, and was still hopeful for an X JAPAN reunion.

Rest In Peace.

HEATH is the latest in a string of iconic visual kei musicians who have passed away this year. Our thoughts go out to all of those who have been affected by these back-to-back blows. Please take care of yourselves.