Malice Mizer | |
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 Malice Mizer in 1998. Clockwise from top-left: Mana, Kami, Közi, Yu~ki, Gackt | |
| Background information | |
| Origin | Japan |
| Genres | |
| Works | Malice Mizer discography |
| Years active |
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| Labels | |
| Past members | |
| Website | malice-mizer.co.jp |
| Logo | |
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Malice Mizer (stylized asMALICE MIZER) was a Japanesevisual keirock band active from 1992 to 2001. The band was notable for their music and their live shows, featuring lavish historical costumes and stage sets, with short silent theater pieces preluding various songs.
Formed by guitaristsMana andKözi, throughout their history, the band has gone through several different lineups and three drastic image changes, with Mana, Kozi, and bassist Yu~ki being the band's sole consistent members. Their earlier music and themes were characterized by their strong French and classical influences, later moving away from deliberate French romanticism and incorporating Gothic aspects after several difficulties befell the band.
At their peak in the mid-to-late 1990s, during the "Gackt era", they were considered one of the "Four Heavenly Kings of visual kei" alongsideLa'cryma Christi,Fanatic Crisis andShazna.[2][3] Their third and most successful studio albumMerveilles (1998) was included in 2021 byKerrang! on a list of 13 essentialJapanese rock andmetal albums.[4] However, their success was short-lived, and in late 2001 it was announced that Malice Mizer would go on an indefinite hiatus. Mana, Közi and Yu~ki have performed together several times since 2010.
After leaving Matenrou, guitaristsMana andKözi formed Malice Mizer in August 1992 withTetsu on vocals, Yu~ki on bass and Gaz on drums. The band's name is coined from the phrase "Malice et Misère " (French for "malice and misery"), extracted from "Nothing but a being of malice and tragedy" — their reply to the question "What is a human being?"[1] From the outset, the band established their trademark "twin guitar"' sound, whereby two guitars play different melodies creatingpolyphony. Malice Mizer's sound during the Tetsu era was a mixture of early 1980sgothic rock,progressive rock and strong classical influences. Their first official release was the song "Speed of Desperate" on the 1993 compilationBraintrash.[1] Before this, they had released a demo tape called "Sans Logique" (a nod to French pop singerMylène Farmer's hit song "Sans Logique") which contained no vocals. Shortly after the release ofBraintrash, Gaz left the band to joinKneuklid Romance, while Kneuklid Romance's drummerKami in turn joined Malice Mizer. In 1994, after a couple more demos, the band released their debut albumMemoire on Mana's newly foundedindependent record labelMidi:Nette. It was re-released at the end of the year with an additional bonus track, "Baroque", under the titleMemoire DX. Only days later, singer and lyricist Tetsu left the band after his last gig on December 27, 1994. Due to creative differences and not wanting to be known across Japan for wearing makeup and extravagant costumes on stage, Tetsu went on to take a different direction in his work. The band's continued use of his lyrics in songs they continued to perform with later vocalists suggest an amicable split.[1]
After almost a year of inactivity, Mana recruitedGackt from the band Cains:Feel[5] as their new vocalist,[6] with their first group performance in October 10, 1995. They released their first group single, "Uruwashiki Kamen no Shoutaijou" on December 10, 1995. It was with this single that Malice Mizer started to actively differentiate themselves from other bands; when the song was performed live, Mana and Közi put down their guitars and instead performed a dance routine.[7] With a new concept, partly due to Gackt's influence (who was also interested in the theme of "What is human?" before joining the band[8]),[9][6][10] the band's music became moreart rock andsynthpop, incorporating even stronger classical and electronic elements. Visually, the band also abandoned their 1980s goth look for colorful historical costumes with a gothic feel.[1]
Malice Mizer released their second album,Voyage Sans Retour, in 1996,[1] and their first home video in 1997;Sans Retour Voyage "Derniere" (Encore Une Fois), a concert video recorded atShibuya Public Hall featuring an elaborate stage and dance routines.[7] The band became increasingly popular and signed with major record labelNippon Columbia that same year,[1] where they released a number of successful singles ("Bel Air", "Au Revoir", "Gekka no Yasōkyoku") and a short film,Bel Air (Kuuhaku no Toki no Naka de) de L'image. Their major label debut album,Merveilles, was released in March 1998.[1] It was commercially and critically the band's most successful album, peaking at 2nd place on theOricon Albums Chart and charting for 16 weeks.[1][11] Both the album and its single "Gekka no Yasōkyoku" were certified Gold by theRIAJ for sales of over 200,000 copies.[12] In May, the band released their single "Illuminati" which peaked at 7th place and sold over 100,000 copies.[13] The band had their own radio show around this time and played a two-day live at theNippon Budokan,[1] which involved a large building as a stage prop and elaborate theatrics; each member performed a skit with another member. The live was a massive success and was released on video asMerveilles (Shuuen to kisuu) l'espace. In July 1998, theYokohama Arena show would come to be the band's last time performing with Gackt. In September 1998, the group released their most successful single yet, "Le Ciel"; the song peaked at 4th place on theOricon Singles Chart,[14] selling over 100,000 copies.[13] However, in January 1999, at the height of Malice Mizer's success, Gackt would suddenly leave the band and start a solo career.
There were various rumours about the cause of his departure.[10] In an October 1998 interview, Gackt complained about the slow progression of the band.[6] Later, he recalled that by that time he had become the main coordinator of the band's activities, and did not receive composing credits when deserved, but did not complain about it.[15] In a February 1999 interview, he claimed that his departure was primarily caused by his conflict with the management office,[10][8] but that members' differences, the sudden influx of money, and his isolation from the band contributed as well.[16] He also claimed that at the last meeting with the record company, he was told by the band members they could not work with him anymore, resulting in the ultimate split.[15][16] He was open to rejoining if the members invited him.[10][8] On the other hand, band members in March 1999 interviews replied that after the last meeting they lost contact with Gackt in November 1998. The band was now seeking a new vocalist. In regards to the split, the members cited Gackt's insistence on continuing band activities when they needed a break and the lack of a trusting relationship, but that they did not kick him out from the band.[17][18] A February 2001 report, based on accounts of staff members who worked at the time with Malice Mizer, said that Gackt's departure was due to conflict with the president of Midi:Nette (the band's management agency at the time), Mana's close partner. The agency's mismanagement of band and fan club funds left members to live in indie-days conditions, and the agency also failed to protect Gackt from paparazzi's harassment. Other members declined to speak up on these issues, but Gackt's decision to confront the office allegedly resulted in his departure.[19]
Malice Mizer left Nippon Columbia shortly after and returned to Midi:Nette (established as Midi:Nette M.†.M).Kami died of asubarachnoid hemorrhage on June 21, 1999.[20] He left behind a handful of songs, which the band eventually released as part of theEP/video boxsetShinwa, which consists of two songs composed by him and the short track "Saikai" written by the band.[1] Kami was never officially replaced; from that point on, Malice Mizer would only use support drummers (namely ex-Aion member Shu, who is not shown in the band's later promotional material, nor credited) and Kami would be credited as "eternal blood relative" on all their future releases. In the second half of 1999 and the beginning of 2000, Malice Mizer, still without an official vocalist, released a number of singles and began to work on a new album.
Eventually, the band recruitedKlaha (vocalist ofdark wave band Pride of Mind), officially inducting him into the band as a full member in August 2000. By then, the band had abandoned the lighter pop music sound of the Gackt era for a dramatic mixture ofclassical music anddark wave, with slightheavy metal elements, and adopted an elaborate funerary elegant gothic look. In the summer of 2000, they released what would be their last album,Bara no Seidou, which peaked at 17th place on the charts, selling only 22,000 copies.[13] On August 31 and September 1, they gave a theatrical two-day live at the Nippon Budokan, featuring pyrotechnics, a choir of veiled nuns and a scaled-down cathedral as a stage prop. In 2001, Malice Mizer starred in a feature-lengthvampire movie (Bara no Konrei (Mayonaka ni Kawashita Yakusoku)) and released three more singles: "Gardenia", "Beast of Blood" and "Garnet ~Kindan no Sono e~"; "Gardenia" and "Garnet" had a considerably lighter tone than their previous album, suggesting another new era for the band.[1] However, the band members decided to go their own separate ways in 2001, leaving messages on their official website. The split was referred to as a "hiatus",[1] so as not to exclude the possibility of a future reformation.
After his departure in 1994,Tetsu released one solo album, and has subsequently taken part in a series of bands such asZigzo, Mega 8 Ball, andNil, with his most recent being The JuneJulyAugust. After his departure in early 1999,Gackt started a solo career a year later which has been enormously successful, becoming one of Japan's top solo artists and TV personalities.[21]
Klaha started a solo career as well in December 2002, but in the middle of 2004 it was announced that his fan club would be closing down, and after that there have been long periods of silence, only broken by rare updates on his site. In 2007, he stated on his site that he would resume musical activity that year. However, this did not happen and no information has been announced since. Yu~ki has not been active on the music scene since 2004 when he wrote the song "Memento", aboutKami, for Közi's solo project. In an informal conversation with Klaha, he said he would like to return to the music scene.Közi formed theindustrial duoEve of Destiny with Haruhiko Ash (ex:The Zolge) and also started a solo career. From 2008 to 2022, he was part of the band Dalle. Around June 2010, Közi started to perform with a band called My Horror Revue. He has also formed the band XA-VAT, who held their first performance on November 16, 2010 and released their first single on December 2.[22] In 2012, he formed the band ZIZ with the musicians who supported him with his solo career.
In 2002, Mana formed his own solo projectMoi dix Mois, which has performed live concerts across Europe. In addition to the successful solo project, Mana is a designer for his fashion label Moi-même-Moitié (founded in 1999), which specializes inElegant Gothic Aristocrat andElegant Gothic Lolita styles. He also continues to run his indie record label Midi:Nette, and has produced for artists such asSchwarz Stein andKanon Wakeshima.
Malice Mizer's song "Gekka no Yasōkyoku" was covered byD on the compilationCrush! -90's V-Rock Best Hit Cover Songs-, which was released on January 26, 2011 and features modern visual kei bands covering songs from bands that were important to the '90s visual kei movement.[23] Their song "Illuminati" was covered by Moran on its sequel,Crush! 2 -90's V-Rock Best Hit Cover Songs-, that was released on November 23, 2011.[24]
Original drummer Gaz died on December 22, 2017, due to illness.[25]
Since 2008, Mana's band Moi dix Mois has held a special event, most taking place every two years, which has had some sort of connection to Malice Mizer.[7] The first was Dis Inferno Vol.VI: Last Year Party on December 27, 2008, where Malice Mizer's "Speed of Desperate" was played in a session by Mana on drums, Közi on guitar and Mana's cousin Katsuo U.K (カツヲU.K) on vocals.[7] Közi said that this was the first time he and Mana had met since 2001.[7] In 2009, Moi dix Mois and Közi went on a short two-date tour called Deep Sanctuary, on July 17 in Osaka and the 19th in Tokyo.
A year later in July 2010, Közi once again went on a tour with Moi dix Mois, titled Deep Sanctuary II. This tour had six shows, but the gig atAkasaka Blitz on the 17th was special, as Yu~ki was a special guest.[7][26] This was the first time in 9 years that the three original members of Malice Mizer played together, and they were supported by Hayato (Moi dix Mois) on drums. They played "Saikai no Chi to Bara" and "Beast of Blood", as well as a cover ofRob Zombie's "What Lurks on Channel X?". In 2012, the three played together twice more for Deep Sanctuary III;[27] once on September 12 at Akasaka Blitz and again on November 14, 2012 at Osaka Muse Hall.
In 2014, another reunion of the three original members happened for Deep Sanctuary IV at Akasaka Blitz on October 11. This marked the first time they performed under the Malice Mizer name since 2001. It was followed by Deep Sanctuary V at Akasaka Blitz on August 7, 2016. On September 8 and 9, 2018, Mana, Közi, and Yu~ki reunited as Malice Mizer to perform two shows for the band's 25th anniversary special at Tokyo Toyosu Pit.[7] Titled Deep Sanctuary VI, Moi dix Mois and ZIZ also performed. They were supported on drums bySakura, who was Kami's drum mentor, and who used Kami's original drum kit for the show.[7] Mana tried reaching out to Tetsu, Gackt and Klaha regarding their participation, but the first two declined "for various reasons, such as their current musical stances being different", and he was unable to reach the third.[7] Instead, the band's formerroadies Shuji (Cali Gari),Kamijo, and Hitomi filled in as guest vocalists.[7][28] ABlu-ray of the concert was released on June 21, 2019.
Deep Sanctuary VII was scheduled to take place atMynavi Blitz Akasaka on June 7, 2020, but was cancelled due to theCOVID-19 pandemic in Japan. No new Deep Sanctuary shows have been held as of 2025.
Throughout its existence, Malice Mizer went through several major changes to their image and sound.[29]AllMusic author Alexey Eremenko wrote that the band's music "incorporated elements fromdark wave,metal,techno,classical music,synth-pop, and earlygothic rock", while maintaining a commercial aim.[1] Mana stated that Malice Mizer's music draws its roots from his childhood, specifically, being greatly scared by the opening theme music ofDoyou Waido Gekijou [ja].[30] He has also citedJohann Sebastian Bach as a big influence, specifically mentioning howBach's concertos for two harpsichords influenced his and Közi's guitar playing in the band. Mana wanted to imitate harpsichords, and so the two guitarists play separate melodies, do not harmonize, and never utilizebends orchoking.[31]
In the first years of the band's activity, their music and image were characterized by being strongly influenced byFrench romanticism. Since the band's foundation, they incorporated their signature "twin guitar" sound into their songs. Malice Mizer's sound during the so-called "Tetsu era" has been described as a combination of rock and early 1980s goth with "strong classical influences".[29]
Following the departure of Tetsu and the recruitment of Gackt, the band's sound gained major influences fromprogressive rock and incorporated more visible elements ofart and classical music, as well aselectronic music,Baroque music,French pop, and dark wave.[29][1]
On theBara no Seidou album, with Klaha as the vocalist, Malice Mizer's music started incorporating traditional heavy metal tropes, such aspower chords and "aggressive gravelly-voiced vocals". Elements of darkorchestral music, such as apipe organ,harpsichord,string arrangements,choir, and "quasi-operatic vocals", were also present. "Beast of Blood", one of the band's last singles, is a fusion of three musical styles: classical, metal, and pop, with organ and harpsichordarpeggios overlaid with metal power chords and a "J-pop style chorus".[29]
Lyrics to the band's songs are written primarily in Japanese, but also interweave English and French.[29] They tend to be pessimistic, focused on the dark shades of human existence, exploring the themes of malice, tragedy, loss, and death.[32] A common trope in the band's lyrics, present, for example, in "Beast of Blood", wasvampirism.[29]
Malice Mizer is considered to be one of the most influential visual kei bands, following the initial success of acts such asX Japan.[29] Music websiteBarks wrote that after Mana and Malice Mizer, the number of visual kei bands withonnagata members increased.[7] Musicians influenced or inspired by Malice Mizer includeGolden Bomber,[33]Matenrou Opera,[34]Kamijo ofLareine andVersailles,[35] andNightmare guitarist Sakito.[31]Dir En Grey drummer Shinya, who cited Kami as one of the three greatest Japanese drummers, was inspired by Malice Mizer to form his side project Seraph.[36][37]
Former members
Support members
Studio albums
Klahaくんだけは連絡がとれなかったんですけどね。ほかの2人も、それぞれ現在の音楽スタンスが違ったりとか、いろいろな事情で集まることができなかったんです。それは残念ですけど、代わりに素晴らしい3人のボーカルが参加してくれる。
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