1. Malice Mizer
2. Rock/Symphonic Rock/Gothic Rock
3. Mana (gu/syn), Kozi (gu/syn/bkup vo), Kami (dr/bkup vo), Yu~ki (ba), Gackt (fmr vo), Tetsu (fmr vo), Klaha (fmr vo). Formed in 1991 and together for ten beautiful (sometimes tragic) years, Malice Mizer has such a wide variety of sounds. From baroque inspired pieces, to full on "chanson rock", to somewhat electronic, to gothic rock, to pop rock, and more and on and on. They went through three singers and had five distinct phases. Phase one is Tetsu era, where they released an album and had a few unrealeased songs that live on in lives. Many say this era is their favorite and many say they detest it. Its never inbetween. Tetsu's voice is a little "unique". Then on to Gackt era, the beginning (part one) is filled with beautifully original baroque pieces written by Mana, with a few oddities by Kozi which are equally captivatingly original. They quickly became known for their over-the-top live shows, more like theater than a live, with small skits and outrageously ornate costumes. They also became known for their outstanding love of their fans, going out of their way to launch gifts into the audience. Part two is where they got signed by major label Columbia Japan and this is where the trouble started. Its not certain of whether Columbia was pressuring them to make Gackt frontman or what, but this era saw many singles and two albums (one with A-sides the other with B-sides). Soon after their landmark concert "Merveilles ~L'espace~", Gackt was kicked out of the band and Malice Mizer lost its major label backing and were left without a vocalist. A year or tragedy followed, where their drummer Kami, much beloved for his kind nature, suddenly died of a brain anyuerism. In their grief, the remaining members of Malice Mizer made a mini album to remember their dear fallen friend, becoming one of the most tear wrenching mini albums ever. Malice Mizer would never have another drummer. Soon afterwards, Malice Mizer relaunched its self with a new vocalist, Klaha. What followed made Malice Mizer go into history books. Earth-shatteringly original gothicesque music was created between them, with operatic vocals, story-telling, and atmospherically dark live shows. The fans became rabid and Malice Mizer was finally in its prime. They became gods. Then suddenly, in 2001, an announcement went up on their website announcing they would go on indefinite hiatus and they all (with the curious exception of Yu~ki, except for a brief co-written song with Kozi) went on to do their own projects. Mana went on to even higher greatness with his own gothic lolita & aristocrat clothing brand, continuation of his music production company, and gothic metal band, and Kozi enjoys a strong following in the indie spotlight with legend status making electronic songs. Klaha enjoys a career in pop/jazz music. Finally, in 2010, the three remaining original members of Malice Mizer made a brief but exciting unofficial reunion, joining on stage to the shock of the fans gathered.
4. Recommended Songs:
Tetsu era: Vault of Heaven, Baroque, Kioku to Sora, Miwaku no ROOMA
Gackt era part 1: Claire, Madrigal, N.p.s N.g.s, Translyvania, Ma Cherie, Color Me Blood Red, Apres Midi, Uruwashiki Kamen
Gackt era part 2: Brise, Illuminati, Au Revoir, Gekka No Yasou Kyoku, Ju te Veux, Le Ciel
Vocaless: Saikai no Chi to bara, Unmei no deai, Mori no Naka no Tenshi
Klaha era: Seinaru Toki Eien no Inori, Kyomu no Naka de no Yuugi, Mayonaka ni Kawashita Yakusoku, Chimamirareta Kajitsu, Hakai no Hate, Shiroi Hada ni Kuruu Ai to Kanashimi no Rondo, Beast of Blood, Gardenia, Garnet