MALICE MIZER was a Japanese visual kei band originally formed in August of 1992 by guitarists Mana and Közi, who had previously been in a band together called 摩天楼 (Matenrou). After going through three vocalists and three distinctive periods of musical and visual style, the wildly successful group went on "hiatus" December 11th, 2001.

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MALICE MIZER's first era, the Tetsu era, lasted from 1992 until 1994. Line-up: Tetsu (vocalist), Gaz (drums), Yu～ki (bass), Közi (guitar), and Mana (guitar). Gaz was replaced by Kami at the beginning of this era, and Gaz was only in the band for about a half a year.

The GACKT era followed after a one-year hiatus, beginning in 1995 and lasting until 1999. Line-up: Gackt (vocalist), Kami (drums), Yu～ki (bass), Közi (guitar), and Mana (guitar). This era was considered MALICE MIZER's "major" era, because after Voyage was released, MALICE MIZER signed to major record label Nippon columbia and released merveilles, which is largely considered their best album. After the release of merveilles, Gackt announced his departure from the band, and in June of 1999, Kami died of a subarachnoid hemorrhage. MALICE MIZER was then reverted back into an indies status, on Mana's label Midi:Nette.

The final era featured Klaha , a classically trained opera vocalist. This lasted from 2000 until the eventual hiatus in 2001, from which it is largely believed they will not return, and many consider MALICE MIZER to be disbanded. Line-up: Klaha (vocalist), Yu～ki (bass), Közi (guitar), and Mana (guitar).

Post Projects

After his departure in early 1999, Gackt started a solo career which has been enormously successful; he is now one of Japan's top entertainers and TV personalities. Klaha started a solo career as well in December 2002; as of 2005 the status of his project is uncertain. Mana has formed his own solo project, Moi dix Mois, and simultaneously pursues a career as fashion designer for his Gothic Lolita fashion label, Moi-même-Moitié. He continues to also run his Indie record label, Midi:Nette, and is looking for bands to sign and produce. Közi has joined Haruhiko Ash's Goth/Industrial band Eve of Destiny and also has a solo project. After his departure in 1994, Tetsu has subsequently taken part in a series of bands such as Zigzo and Mega 8 Ball; his most recent being the independently released band nil. The whereabouts of Yu~ki were unknown until he briefly resurfaced in 2004 as lyricist for Közi's solo release "MEMENTO".

In 2010, the band had a brief revival during a Moi Dix Mois and Közi coupling tour. The line-up for this short revival only consisted of Mana, Közi, and Yu~ki, with Moi Dix Mois' drummer as a support member. Klaha did not show up to the performance, so Közi sang while playing guitar. "Beast of Blood" was one of the songs played. Currently Mana is still in Moi Dix Mois, Yu~ki still keeps to himself outside of the visual-kei scene, and Közi recently joined the new wave band XA-VAT.

Members

Masaki "Klaha" Haruna – vocals (2000–2001)

Mana – guitar, synth guitar, keyboard, percussion (1992–2001)

Közi – guitar, synth guitar, keyboard, percussion (1992–2001)

Yu~ki – bass, contrabass, percussion (1992–2001)

Former members

Ukyō "Kami" Kamimura – drums, percussion (1993–1999)†

o After his death, the band listed Kami on all subsequent releases as an "eternal blood relative".

Gackt Camui – vocals, piano (1995–1999)

Tetsu Takano – vocals (1992–1994)

Gaz – drums (1992–1993)

Support members

Shue "Shu" Sakai – drums (2000–2001)

Kazune – keyboard (2000–2001)

Discography

In several cases, the Japanese titles are given first, followed by the romaji titles in square brackets.

Demo Tapes

1992

* Sans Logique (10/31)

1993

* Speed of Desperate (???)

* SADNESS (4/05)

* The 1th Anniversary (10/12)

Singles

1995

* 麗しき仮面の招待状 [Uruwashiki Kamen no Shoutaijou] (12/10)

1996

* ma chérie ～愛しい君へ～ [ma chérie ~Itoshii Kimi e~] (10/10)

1997

* ヴェル・エール～空白の瞬間の中で～ [Bel Air ~Kuuhaku no Toki no Naka de~] (7/19)

* au revoir (12/3)

1998

* 月下の夜想曲 [Gekka no Yasoukyoku] (2/21)

* ILLUMINATI (5/20)

* Le ciel ～空白の彼方へ～ [Le ciel ~Kuuhaku no Kanata e~] (9/30)

1999

* 再会の血と薔薇 [Saikai no Chi to Bara] (11/3)

2000

* 神話 [Shinwa] (2/1) - KAMI'S MEMORIAL BOX

* 虚無の中での遊戲 [Kyomu no Naka de no Yuugi] (5/31)

* 白い肌に烂う愛と哀しみの輪舞 [Shiroi Hada ni Kuruu Ai to Kanashimi no Rondo] (7/26)

2001

* Gardenia (5/30)

* Beast of Blood (6/21)

* 真夜中に交わした約束～薔薇の婚礼～ [Mayonaka ni Kawashita Yakusoku ~Bara no Konrei~] (10/30)

* Garnet～禁断の園へ～ [Garnet ~kindan no sono e~] (11/30)

Albums

* memoire (24 July 1994)

* memoire DX (24 December 1994) - reissue with bonus track

* Voyage ~sans retour~ (7 June 1996)

* merveilles (18 March 1998)

* 薔薇の聖堂 [Bara no Seidou] (23 August 2000)

VHS

* Sans retour Voyage "derniere" ~encoure une fois~ (30 June 1997)

* ヴェル・エール～空白の瞬間の中で～ de l'image [Bel Air ~Kuuhaku no Toki no Naka de~ de l'image] (19 July 1997)

* ヴェル・エール～空白の瞬間の中で～ de l'image [Verte Air ~Kuuhaku no Toki no Naka de~ de l'image] (3 September 1997) - a short silent film

* merveilles～終焉と帰趨～l'espace [merveilles ~Shuuen to Kisu~ l'espace] (28 October 1998)

* merveilles -cinq parallèle- (24 February 1999)

* 再会の血と薔薇～de l'image～ [Saikai no Chi to Bara ~de l'image~] (21 December 1999)

* 虚無の中での遊戲～de l'image～ [Kyomu no Naka de no Yuugi ~de l'image~] (31 May 2000)

* 薔薇に彩られた悪意と悲劇の幕開け [Bara ni Irodorareta Akui to Higeki no Makuake] (22 November 2000)

* 薔薇の軌跡 [Bara no Kiseki] (25 April 2001)

* Beast of Blood ~de l'image~ (11 July 2001)

* 薔薇の婚礼～真夜中に交わした約束～ [Bara no Konrei ~Mayonaka ni Kawashita Yakusoku~] (22 March 2002)

DVD

* 薔薇に彩られた悪意と悲劇の幕開け [Bara ni Irodorareta Akui to Higeki no Makuake] (22 November 2000)

* Sans retour Voyage "derniere" ~encoure une fois~ (18 April 2001)

* 薔薇の軌跡 [Bara no Kiseki] (25 April 2001)

* Beast of Blood ~de l'image~ (11 July 2001)

* 真夜中に交わした約束～薔薇の婚礼～ [Mayonaka ni Kawashita Yakusoku ~Bara no Konrei~] (30 October 2001)

* Cardinal (6 February 2002)

* 薔薇の婚礼～真夜中に交わした約束～ [Bara no Konrei ~Mayonaka ni Kawashita Yakusoku~] (22 March 2002)

* merveilles～終焉と帰趨～l'espace (30 March 2002)

* merveilles -cinq parallele- (30 March 2002)

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