Malice Mizer Közi - Blog Posts

"This action which is almost unthinkable in the norms of rock bands, stirred up mixed reactions. However, this also became a hot topic and further boosted their popularity. You can witness this in performances like "S-CONSCIOUS," where they all wear bondage costumes and deliver digital hard tunes, and in the pop like "Je te veux," where all members except Gackt play percussion instruments while performing. In "Brise," there's even a scene where Mana rides a roller scooter around the stage, showing a playful expression.

Additionally, what deserves special mention is that many of their songs are very "pop" and easy to remember. The songs, crafted under the concept of medieval Europe possessed delicate and melancholic melodies. The meticulous and heavy arrangements, combined with Gackt's sweet and silky voice, polished these melodies into superb pop pieces that left an indelible impression, one that lingered long after you heard them. In fact, every single they released after their debut charted high in the hit rankings. This DVD includes live performances of singles with beautiful melodies such as "ma chériebeloved to you," "Gekka no Yasoukyoku (Moonlight Nocturne)," "Bel Air In the Blank Moment," and "Le ciel." Tracks like "N.P.s N.G.s," "Je te veux," and "Brise" also feature catchy melodies and are fan-favorites at their live shows. Moreover, there are many rare video clips included, such as the solo performance "Hamon/Concerto" where Gackt's piano intertwines with Kami's drums.

The DVD culminates in the final scene at Yokohama Arena, where all the members appear with feathers larger than their height. Among them, Gackt, with black wings reminiscent of a fallen angel, floats in the air and passionately sings "Le Ciel" while bleeding. It is truly a dreamlike scene that embodies the "ultimate visual kei." After watching this, it's easy to understand why, even after MALICE MIZER disbanded, there have been very few follower bands. With such a perfectly realized world, there was no room left for anyone to follow. They are indeed a one of a kind band. This DVD fully captures their appeal, and it's a must-see for anyone who hasn’t yet experienced the sound and visuals of MALICE MIZER.

From SHOXX 179