Malice Mizer (stylized as MALICE MIZER) was a Japanese visual kei rock 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 guitarists Mana and Közi, 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" alongside La'cryma Christi, Fanatic Crisis and Shazna. Their third and most successful studio album Merveilles (1998) was included in 2021 by Kerrang! on a list of 13 essential Japanese rock and metal albums. 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.
Releases in the Catalogue
- Malice Mizer - merveilles l'espace -
COBA-4162(2002)
Members
Current
- Gackt - Piano, Vocals
- Közi - Guitar, Synthesizer
- Mana - Guitar, Synthesizer
- Yu~ki - Bass
- Tetsu Takano
Former
History
Translated from the ja.wikipedia article MALICE MIZER (CC BY-SA 4.0), revision 110657292.
Overview
Along with SHAZNA, FANATIC◇CRISIS, and La'cryma Christi, which made their major debuts at roughly the same time in 1997, Malice Mizer was referred to as one of the “Four Heavenly Kings of Visual Kei”.
Their musical style and worldview varied greatly depending on the period. All of their released songs became hits that ranked highly on the Oricon charts, and the band appeared to be enjoying smooth success. However, in December 1998, frontman and vocalist Gackt suddenly disappeared. Variety shows and other media reported that he had gone into hiding. Gackt later explained the reasons: “The more my appearances in the media increased, the more isolated I became. The members split into ‘Gackt versus four others,’ and nobody stepped in to mediate or support me”; “Because of the financial problems I had experienced before joining the band, I repeatedly spoke to them so that I would not repeat my past mistakes, but they did not understand”; “At the final meeting, all the members and the president of the management company told me, ‘We can’t work with you anymore.’ When the discussion turned to how to end MALICE with Gackt still in it, they said, ‘We should release a CD,’ and I shouted, ‘Don’t insult the fans!’ before leaving”; and “Financial problems, differences in awareness, and the obsessive feeling that we had to do something all overlapped and became a vicious cycle. Everyone was mentally unwell in some way, so it could not be helped.” However, he also confessed his conflicted feelings, stating, “That does not change the fact that it is still my pride. I take pride in the various things we expressed as a band, and the members were also extremely individualistic.”
In January 1999, the members other than Gackt formally announced his departure through the fan club newsletter. Furthermore, on June 21 of the same year, drummer Kami died suddenly from illness. The group subsequently continued for some time as three members. In July 2000, Klaha, who had supported the band at live performances and been acquainted with its members since Malice Mizer's early days, participated as a support vocalist on “Shiroi Hada ni Kuruu Ai to Kanashimi no Rondo”. Later that month, he formally joined as Malice Mizer's third vocalist. While steadily increasing its CD sales and expanding its activities through film appearances and other work, the band suspended its musical activities in December 2001, with the aim of allowing each member to freely develop individual activities.
In 2009, and every two years from 2010 onward, Mana and Közi held events titled “Deep Sanctuary”, providing opportunities to perform Malice Mizer songs primarily with the three members who had been with the band since its formation.
In 2011, Mana contacted Gackt for the first time in a long while since his departure, and the members gathered for a meal. Meetings involving members and staff were held to undertake a new project for the band's 20th anniversary in 2013, and concrete plans began to be developed, but the project was abandoned due to circumstances on Gackt's side.
For “Deep Sanctuary VI”, held in 2018 to mark the 25th anniversary of the band's formation, attempts were made to invite former vocalists tetsu, Gackt, and Klaha to appear, but none ultimately participated. However, during the performance of “au revoir”, footage of the members from the second era, including Gackt, was shown on a screen at the back of the stage, partially realizing this in another form.
Musical Style
Malice Mizer was known for its unconventional performances, which thoroughly pursued a distinctive worldview in its music, costumes, makeup, and stage sets. Its concepts included “twin guitars performing as two harpsichords, with compositions making extensive use of fugues and counterpoint”; investigating what lies behind “the poison, evil, and ugliness concealed behind humanity’s beautiful, fantastical world,” giving them visible form and expressing them through sound; and staging lavish, opera-like live performances with narrative elements that complemented the music. As a result, the group was popularly described as the “ultimate visual kei” band and a “comprehensive art collective.” It also appeared actively in media such as television and radio, causing a social phenomenon in some circles.
When playing guitar, the group imposed restrictions on practices normally taken for granted by guitarists, such as prohibiting string bending and requiring each guitarist to play single notes that would intertwine in complex structures. With the idea that concentrating on playing the guitar would instead restrict movement, and that there might be things they could do other than play, they created songs in which they danced without playing guitar and began studying programming in order to input orchestral sounds.
A major characteristic of its music was its skillful blending of classical music and rock, reflecting the fact that many of the members had been exposed to classical music in childhood. Mana began creating songs that used the sounds of instruments such as the harpsichord and pipe organ in place of guitars. The group also experimented with a variety of techniques and genres, including sampling, progressive rock, French pop, and techno.
Most of the costumes incorporated characteristics resembling those of medieval Europe. The songs were also given narrative qualities, and theatrical elements matching them were included in live performances in order to present the group’s worldview more deeply. At multi-band live house shows, even when attracting an audience was difficult because of the early start time, the group prioritized its worldview and asked to perform first in order to secure time to decorate the stage set. Mana and Közi were positive about this policy, but although Yu~ki showed interest in theatrical performance, he was not particularly motivated to dance. Kami struggled with his role as a drummer, while original vocalist Tetsu, who strongly favored a rock band orientation, was reluctant to continue performing with such presentations and makeup, and consequently left the group. Nevertheless, the members were united in their desire to “do interesting things.”
In production credits, lyrics and composition were attributed to individuals in forms such as “Lyrics: ○○” and “Music: ××.” In practice, however, the members engaged in detailed exchanges concerning the final arrangements, and in some cases the completed song differed entirely from the original version recorded on the demo tape.
Image Strategy
To express the world of each song, the band would, depending on the song, first expand upon its theme and story, as well as those of the concert, and then reflect these in each member’s image color, hair color, and costume. These elements were not always strictly defined, depending on the song and period. This was based on the intention that simply explaining the costumes would reveal the trick; the answer was designed to be reached only by viewing the CDs, live tours, and promotional videos together. The members also deliberately refrained from providing definitive answers or philosophies, arranging matters so that fans would discover them of their own accord.
When Gackt joined as the second vocalist, he told the members that he wanted to fly through the air on stage. He displayed strong enthusiasm toward the members, which became the deciding factor in his admission. During his time with the band, he also thoroughly upheld its worldview in both public and private life, declaring that he used candles rather than electric light bulbs for lighting in his home and furnished it in the Rococo style.
Fans are colloquially known as “Mizer,” while from the third period onward, the term “blood relatives” was officially used, referring to both the members and the fans.
Mana, the band’s leader and guitarist, is affectionately called “Mana-sama” by fans. He consistently does not speak in public appearances; at talk events and similar occasions, a person is placed beside him as an “interpreter,” through whom he speaks indirectly by whispering or using gestures.
Members at the Time of Hiatus
With their major-label debut, each member was assigned an image color, although these were not strictly defined.
Klaha (クラハ) – third vocalist Born May 3. After the hiatus, he began a solo career, but his current whereabouts are unknown.
Mana (マナ) – guitar and synthesizer Born March 19. The band leader and an onnagata. He is currently active in Moi dix Mois.
Közi (コウジ) – guitar and synthesizer Born May 29. He is currently active in ZIZ.
Yu~ki (ユーキ) – bass Born August 8. He is not currently engaged in ongoing musical activities.
Kami (カミ) – drums and percussion Born February 1. He died of a subarachnoid haemorrhage on June 21, 1999. His former names were Ukyo (右狂) and Kamimura Ukyo (神村右狂). Before joining, he belonged to Kneuklid Romance. His mentor as a drummer was Sakura.
Former Members
Tetsu (テツ) – first vocalist MALICE MIZER → MEGA8BALL → ZIGZO → nil. Following his departure, he adopted a no-makeup style and performed under his real name, Tetsu Takano. He resumed activities with ZIGZO in 2012.
Gackt (ガクト) – second vocalist and piano Also known as Gakuto Kamui and Gackt.C (神威楽斗). He is currently active as a solo singer, actor, and voice actor.
GAZ (ガズ) – first drummer After leaving the band, he joined Kneuklid Romance and later left the group, but took part in its reunions in 2009, 2011, and 2012. He died of cancer on December 22, 2017.
Support Members
Shue (シュウ, Sakai Shue) – drums
A former member of REDRUM, Virus, and AION. He participated in the recordings of "Gardenia" and "Beast of Blood" (see the respective credits).
History
In August 1992, MALICE MIZER was formed around Mana and Közi. The demo tape SANS LOGIQUE was distributed.
In March 1993, following the departure of drummer GAZ (now of Knueklid Romance), Kamimura Ukyou, who later changed his name to Ukyou and then Kami, joined as a supporting member. He became an official member on June 20, and the band began its activities. That year, the band participated in the omnibus CD BRAIN TRASH and distributed the demo tape SADNESS.
On July 24, 1994, they released memoire, a six-track release limited to 3,000 serial-numbered copies, which sold out through pre-orders. On December 24, they released a deluxe box edition with a booklet, featuring the newly recorded track “Baroque”. Tetsu, the vocalist, left during the live performance on December 27, after which the band suspended activities for a time.
On October 10, 1995, Gackt.C joined following auditions for the second vocalist. He had initially served as drummer in his previous band CAIN'S FEEL before becoming its vocalist. Tickets for the live performance “Karei naru Fukkatsugeki: Arata naru Akui to Higeki no Monogatari ga Hajimaru” at Shibuya ON AIR WEST sold out. On December 10, the first release by the second-era lineup of Gackt, Mana, Közi, Yu~ki, and Kami, Uruwashiki Kamen no Shotaijo, was released.
On June 9, 1996, the full-length album Voyage Sans retour was released. In March, the band toured Tokyo, Aichi Prefecture, and Osaka Prefecture, participated in events, and undertook a nationwide tour during the summer. On October 10, they released the booklet-included CD single ma chérie: Itoshii Kimi e to commemorate the first anniversary of the “newly born MALICE MIZER”.
In 1997, the band signed with Nippon Columbia and made its major-label debut. On July 19, it released the first limited edition of the single Bel Air: Kuhaku no Shunkan no Naka de, which included a video work filmed on location in France. The regular edition was released on August 6 of the same year. Gackt, then the band’s second vocalist, participated as a singer on “Kizu darake no Lola” for Hideki Saijo’s rock tribute album, released on July 24, 1997.
On April 1, 1998, the band performed at Nippon Budokan. On July 22, 1998, it held the final performance of the “merveilles: Shuen to Kishu” tour at Yokohama Arena.
In November 1998, Gackt disappeared and left the band in January 1999. The group continued as four members, but Kami died of a subarachnoid hemorrhage on June 21. For a time, the remaining three members continued without a vocalist.
In September of that year, the band’s contract with Nippon Columbia ended, and it established Midi:Nette M.†.M (ミディネット エーム・クロワ・エーム), returning to activities on its own label. This effectively marked a restart as an independent band. On November 3, it released Saikai no Chi to Bara, its first single as a three-member group without a vocalist.
On July 26, 2000, Klaha participated as an unusual supporting vocalist on the single Shiroi Hada ni Kuruu Ai to Kanashimi no Rondo. In July, Klaha officially joined as the third vocalist. On August 31 and September 1 of the same year, the band held its first live performances with Klaha, two consecutive nights at Nippon Budokan titled “Bara ni Irodorareta Akui to Higeki no Makuake”, with the first night titled “Saikai no Bara” and the second “Yakusoku no Bara”.
On December 11, 2001, the band announced that it would suspend activities at the end of 2001, so that each member could pursue individual activities based on their own free ideas.
On December 27, 2008, at Moi dix Mois’s event live performance “Dis inferno Vol.VI” at Ebisu LIQUIDROOM, a session was held under the band name “Nice Middle” with Mana on drums, Közi on guitar, Sugiya on bass, and Katsuo U.K. on vocals. Songs from the MALICE MIZER era were performed.
On July 17, 2010, at the Akasaka BLITZ performance of the Moi dix Mois and Közi joint tour “Deep Sanctuary II”, a session by original members Mana, Közi, and Yu~ki was held under the name “Saikai no Chi to Bara-zu”.
At the Akasaka BLITZ performance on September 2, 2012, and the Osaka MUSE performance on November 14, of the Moi dix Mois and ZIZ joint tour “Deep Sanctuary III”, Mana, Közi, and Yu~ki again held a session under the name “Hakai no Hate-zu”.
On October 11, 2014, at the Moi dix Mois and ZIZ event “Deep Sanctuary IV”, Mana, Közi, and Yu~ki performed a session as MALICE MIZER for the first time since the suspension of activities. Hayato of Moi dix Mois, formerly of Blüe, served as supporting drummer for all sessions by the three members mentioned above.
On August 7, 2016, a MALICE MIZER special session was held at “Deep Sanctuary V”, hosted by Moi dix Mois, with ZIZ as guests and Count Yu~ki as a special guest.
On September 8, 2018, the event “Deep Sanctuary VI: MALICE MIZER 25th Anniversary Special” was held. In addition to performances by Moi dix Mois and ZIZ, Mana, Közi, and Yu~ki performed as MALICE MIZER. Former MALICE MIZER roadies Shuji, KAMIJO, and Hitomi participated as guest vocalists. Sakura, formerly of L'Arc-en-Ciel and Kami’s teacher, participated as a guest drummer, and drums used by Kami were played. As tickets sold out on the day of sale, an additional performance was held the following day, September 9. A Blu-ray containing footage of the additional performance was also released as a set with a memorial photo book.
From September 8 to September 24 of the same year, an exhibition event titled “MALICE MIZER 25th Anniversary Exhibition” was held at the ESP Museum in Shibuya, where instruments, costumes, props, posters, and other items used throughout the band’s activities were displayed.
On June 7, 2020, Mana, Közi, and Yu~ki were scheduled to appear as MALICE MIZER at the regular event “Deep Sanctuary VII” at MyNavi BLITZ Akasaka, but the event was canceled to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
Sources
- Wikidata entity Q853545.
- en.wikipedia, Malice Mizer (revision 1363924211), CC BY-SA 4.0.
- ja.wikipedia, MALICE MIZER (revision 110657292), CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Photograph: MALICE MIZER session DSV.png on Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0, by David kls.
