#Gackt rock band

[dabeastme]

GACKT - GHOST ( Malice Mizer ) REACTION

[maliciousandmizerablevampirism]

I always get so happy whenever I see pics or vids of my fav band's members interacting and having fun cuz I already love them like crazy AND you're telling me that they love each other too? WOAH.

examples <3

they have my heart.

[kapellputs]

Quick drawing of one of my favourite közi pictures

[withered-rose-unbreakable-lotus]

Masterpost: Visual Kei movies & other types jrockers were involved

So, it came to my attention some of you want to watch more visual kei movies so I thought of listing what I know, in case you've missed any of those. Please feel free to add anything I've missed with reblogs or in the comments.

Thank you @kirk-goes-to-gallifrey for the three movie links! ^^ And thank you @waretamado for helping with the titles of Plastic Tree's movies! Btw most of the vkei only movies must still be available on YT guys, however not all of them will be on HD.

Visual Kei movies:

Seth et Holth (1993) (Hide) YT link (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vx_laJCEpew)

Moon Child (2003) (Gackt & Hyde)

Verte Aile/Bel Air (1997) (Malice Mizer) YT link (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vdd58pTaK8A)

Bara no Konrei/Bridal of the Rose (2001) (Malice Mizer) YT link (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tr1d_cFRnxs)

BeatRock☆Love (2009) (Takeru ex.SuG)

Number Six (2006) (Alice Nine)

Yuku Pura Kuru Pura... Edokawa Puranpo no 「Ougon otoko」~「Visual bako no bijo」 (Plastic Tree) YT link (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=81Bb-3L4l2E)

Yuku Pura Kuru Pura... Edokawa Puranpo no 「Onan tokage」~「Bishounen wo kuu bijo」 (Plastic Tree) YT link (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wAha6vDCE0Q)

Yuku Pura Kuru Pura...Edokawa Puranpo no「Angura Kaijin」~「Remon no bijo」 (Plastic Tree) YT link (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pzt3ai5LSXc)

Ascendead Master (2009) (Versailles)

Onegai Kanaete (2011) (Versailles)

Oresama (2004) (Miyavi) YT link (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NcBvKQfVKNM)

Soundtrack (2002) (Sugizo) (I don't know if it's a vkei movie but since the theme appears to be music-oriented, I put it here)

Non Visual Kei movies jrockers acted in:

Kagen no Tsuki (2004) (this is a live action of a manga) (Hyde)

There is a movie that Takeru of SuG had played in for only a couple of scenes that was his first ever role, but I forget the name. I remember sth about "blue generation" or sth. If sb remembers it, please put it in the comments. Most people might remember the scene with the fluffy coat, him with blond hair turning to the protagonist with a menacing look, from the distance.

Paracelcus' Homonculus (2015) (this is an artsy film based off a photographer's exhibition) (Takeru of SuG)

Midori: the Camellia girl (2016) (live action of a manga) (Takeru of SuG)

Bunraku (2010) (Gackt)

Akumu-chan (2014) (Gackt)

Karanukan (2018) (Gackt)

Tonde Saitama 1 (2019) & 2 (2023) (Gackt)

Moshimo Tokugawa Ieyasu ga Sori Daijin ni Nattara (2024) (Gackt)

Furin Kazan (2007) (Gackt)

Mr. Brain (2009) (it must have been 1 episode or 2) (Gackt)

Tempest (2011) (Gackt)

Sengoku Basara (2012) (Gackt)

Time Spiral (2014) (Gackt)

BLEACH (2018) (live action) (Miyavi)

Hell Dogs (2022) (Miyavi)

Familia (2023) (Miyavi)

Maleficent: Mistress of Evil (2019) (Miyavi)

Kate (2021) (Miyavi)

Stray (2019) (Miyavi)

Unbroken (2014) (Miyavi)

There's a movie with either gangs or bands that Chiyu of SuG played after the disband. Papiko, shed your light cause I don't remember the title.

30-thirty (2000) Hakuei

The Legend of the The Stardust Brothers (1985) (Issay)

溺れる魚 / Drowning Fish (2001) (Izam of Shazna)

Other

REPO! The Genetic Opera (2008) (Yoshiki was involved with the music production of this film. Personally I learnt it years after I'd watched it)

Death Trance (2005) (It features many Dir en Grey songs in its soundtracks)

Hamlet (1998) (A rock opera version of the famous play, by Penicillin) YT link (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hljXGPsUU1Q)

I hope you can find anything you like and enjoy!

[xinfinityl0ve17]

KOZI (MALICE MIZER) ASTAN - 2005 Vol.21

Translated by my cousin (corrections are always welcome)

Malice Mizer: MALICE (MALEVOLENCE) AND MIZERE (TRAGEDY)

A comprehensive biography of this band, which is second only to X-Japan in importance within J-Rock or Visual Kei, would be too extensive. Here, we will focus on the period starting with Gackt's entry into the band.

Malice Mizer was founded in August 1992 by Mana and Közi (Kouji). After several line-up changes, the band consisted of: Gackt (vocals, piano), Mana (guitar, keyboards), Közi (guitar, violin), Kami (drums), and Yu-ki (bass) starting in August 1995.

Shortly thereafter, the group released their second album, "Voyage (sans retour)," marking a first step toward superstardom. The musicians' popularity steadily increased, attracting the attention of major record labels. Thus in 1997, MM signed with Columbia in Japan. Their first single, "Bel Air kuhaku no toki no naka de," was released followed by TV appearances and radio shows as well as the famous concert at Nihon Budokan.

In 1998, "Merveilles" was released. Malice Mizer was at the peak of their career, embodying everything associated with superstardom. Fan displays overshadowed anything conceivable, and Gackt could undoubtedly be referred to as the most popular Japanese show star at the time. The concerts were elaborate events, with costumes and staging that surpassed everything seen before. However, the fractures within the band were unmistakable. While Gackt seemed to thrive in the J-Pop Olympus the remaining members were striving for artistic quality. Disputes ensued, resulting in Gackt leaving the band in January 1999. As if that weren’t enough, drummer Kami passed away later that year due to an arterial brain hemorrhage. Following Kami's death, on September 21 1999 the band decided to take a hiatus.

Their fourth album, "bara no seidō," was released in August 2000 under an indie label, Midi:NetteM+M which was the newly established label owned by the band. The album "bara no seidō" is an epic work, heavily influenced by German classical music. Choral passages and long instrumental sections elevate this work to classic status. The trio of Mana, Közi, and Yu-ki experimented on this album without a fixed singer or drummer. This is undoubtedly the most impressive and monumental work by MM, although its reception from the audience could have been better. Perhaps under this impression, the band decided to recruit a new singer, Klaha, in August 2000. The sound shifted towards an epic and darker rock sound. With Klaha, MM returned to catchy melodies, though they were far removed from the J-Pop of the Gackt years. In my opinion, this is the best, albeit temporarily concluding, chapter of the group.

A few singles were released afterward. The last tour took place in July 2001, after which the band disbanded. Klaha began his solo career, Közi is currently active as a solo artist and as a member of Eve Of Destiny, while Mana has become a well-known figure in Japan with his own fashion line and Gothic Lolita shops. He continues to be active as a musician in his band MDM. Yu-ki is no longer prominently involved in music.

It’s also essential to look into the successor bands of Malice Mizer. I can't find anything appealing in Gackt and Klaha's solo works. I really enjoy Eve Of Destiny, as well as everything Mana releases to the public. EOD is an industrial goth band; Mana is much heavier but also more classical in orientation. Közi's solo work sounds very relaxed and somewhat French, although he writes in English.

I have met Közi several times and found him to be a somewhat shy and introverted man. However, he is a very nice guy. But that’s just a side note. What fascinates me is the band's fluctuating musical trajectory. By the time Gackt joined, the typical "growing pains" of any group had settled, and a first creative peak was reached with Gackt. The time with Gackt was the commercially most successful period, and the concerts were a dream visual event. The costumes changed multiple times during the show, and the staging would be compared to German theatrical productions.

Part 2

Groups like Rammstein would turn green with envy. Musically i find Gackt quite uninteresting. He knew how to present himself well in the spotlight but that’s about it. Gackt after Malice Mizer is nothing more than slimy, sweet-and-sour J-Pop. A nod to Herr Rohlen. Artistically an MM album like "bara no seido" is much more impressive. Some elements remind me that both Mana and Közi are great admirers of the German composer Bach. This influence is unmistakable. These influences, combined with Közi's and Mana's magnificent guitar playing, elevate "bara no seido" to a masterpiece for this group. The musicality of Malice Mizer is one of the outstanding characteristics of the Japanese band. The range of instruments spans from the standard instruments of a rock band to very European instruments such as clavichord, spinet, violin, or accordion. One might think that nothing catchy could emerge from this, but that is precisely one of the band's strengths.

Each song is assigned a style and a color. Mana represents the color blue, in which his clothing is designed. Mana is an imposing figure who can only be described as beautiful. When I first saw a video by MM, I thought the guitarist looked quite good. Not to mention, the guitarist is a male. In Japanese tradition, it is not so unusual for a man to appear feminine. Mana gives few interviews and hardly speaks in public, yet he is the creative mind behind Malice Mizer. He has perfected the Gothic Lolita style and can be understood as the counterpart to Gackt. Gackt does not wear white makeup and is considered by a large part of the female MM fans to be the quintessential fairy tale prince.

Közi represents the color red. He appears quite androgynous as an MM member. At the same time, he is aloof, reserved, and doll like fragile. Kami represents the color purple and Yu-ki represents yellow and/or orange. Noteworthy about him is his occasionally drawn-on occasionally real beard. Klaha’s color is either black or white. He later takes on Gackt's role but is much more masculine and less boyish than Gackt.

The look of this group. Malice Mizer seems to change costumes like others change underwear. It’s incredible how tastefully and stylishly Malice Mizer dressed and presented themselves. The staging on stage and in the videos is trendsetting and has not been achieved by any group known to me before or since. The transition from a metal band to a VK group and ultimately to a heavily Gothic-influenced act is marked by significant breaks. Yet, one can always recognize Malice Mizer's typical sound. For anyone who is now curious, I strongly recommend checking out the live DVDs or the group’s videos. Personally, I really enjoy the videos and music from the time with Klaha. The videos with Gackt are more colorful, vibrant and playful. I can recommend all DVDs from Malice Mizer.

The End

[kalamity-jayne]

heyy it’s been a while! Saw you reblog a video and said you didn’t know who he was but vibed with his energy!

That is Gackt! He was part of a visual kei band called Malice Mizer who had gothic and rock influences and then did his own music! He is.an interesting guy. Apparently a diva but he’s funny so idc

he once said he was drowning and saved himself when he remembered he hadn’t had sex in 4 months and wants younger generations to fuck more.

He also provided his voice for the Vocaloid Gakupo.

Oh word! Thank you!

[vkeikitty]

Welcome!

Hello, I'm Cassius, and welcome to my new blog dedicated to vkei. This is a community dedicated to celebrating the best and weirdest bands in the genre, exploring their uniqueness and giving them the appreciation they deserve. Whether you're a fan of the classics or are just starting to get into vkei, this is the place to be.

Q. What is vkei?

A. Vkei is a music subgenre, originating in Japan that combines elements of heavy metal, dark wave, and punk rock. It is characterized by its edgy and unique style, often incorporating elements of gothic fashion and makeup. Popular bands in the genre include Malice Mizer, Dir en grey, and Versailles.

Q. What bands do you recommend to people getting into vkei?

A. I recommend you introduce yourself to classic bands such as Malice Mizer, as well as some of the individual artists, like GACKT and Kaya. Personally, my favorite band is Dadaroma.

Q. What’s the appeal of Visual Kei?

A. Vkei has a dedicated and passionate fanbase, drawn to its unique and edgy aesthetic, catchy melodies, and deep lyrics. The subculture provides a sense of community and acceptance for those who feel out of place in the mainstream.

Q. Is vkei satanic?

A. The vkei subculture has roots in metal music and is often misunderstood by people unfamiliar with it. Some bands have dealt with controversial themes, including occult imagery and dark lyrics, but the subculture is not satanic.

Again, this blog is dedicated to celebrating the uniqueness and weirdness of vkei, shining a spotlight on the culture and its many diverse bands. Through exploring its history, art, and fashion, I aim to provide a space for fans and newcomers alike to learn and appreciate the best of vkei. I'll be updating it regularly with new content, so be sure to stay tuned! Let's embrace the quirks that make vkei so special and unique.

[genderqueer-karma]

Hello, hope you're having a good night! What songs would you recommend for someone that wants to get into Malice Mizer? I've known about them for years but never got around to listening to them. Album recs also work! Thanks in advance^^

okay honestly i’m really excited to answer this because i rarely get to give people recs!! so, i’m gonna do this by organizing based on my personal perception of the genre of each era. hopefully you enjoy what you hear/see!! (<- vibrating because they get to discuss their strongest hyperfixation of the past 2 years)

(under the cut)

if you tend to like goth/darkwave/posipunk/similar or related genres, or just generally more rock-focused music:

tetsu era is the way to go! their first album memoire/memoire dx has songs i’d argue fit very well into these genres! for more specific recs:

SADNESS~ I know the reason for her sadness~ - the most emblematic of the goth genre! (not technically from memoire, but the compilation it’s most commonly associated with, brain trash, was technically a multi-band project iirc)

miwaku no rouma - less “goth” and honestly a bit more “dance-y” but still a song i love and will love forever

kioku to sora - an incredible song that i love very deeply. also has a version with the band's third vocalist, klaha!

baroque - honestly, just iconic! baroque is THEE song of tetsu’s era as vocalist. the twin guitar version of für elise in the bridge?? magnificent 🤌

(i’d also look for the other, less known songs of the era, like 16 no solitude, portugal, and lafflesia!)

if you tend to like songs with a classical music influence but with more of a pop sound:

gackt era is 1000% the way to go! their second album (and gackt's first with them) voyage ~sans retour~ has many tracks of this variety:

madrigal - actually my favorite mm song, period. the bittersweet tone of the violin throughout makes me sick to my stomach its so good. i play viola and its the song by them i most want to learn to play!

premier amour - another lovely track from voyage that i actually used to have as my blog title! very poppy (in my opinion) but the classical influence is evident. like madrigal, it's quite violin heavy. as the title also suggests, it's quite romantic ^-^

uruwashiki kamen no shotaijou - i can't make a malice mizer rec list without mentioning this song. it's quite iconic and for good reason! this was the single that really gave them their first big commercial success, as far as i know. (also in the bg of a famous interview clip)

ma cherie - another song that i can't not talk about when discussing malice mizer. literally their most famous song, the one that their fan club was named for. if you ever look up clips of this song live, you'll mostly see the band having the most fun onstage. honestly just a very sweet song. this song is also the only one that's been performed by all three vocalists! (tetsu & klaha)

for songs that lean very heavily into a cathedral/classical sound:

the album bara no seidou, their last one and the only one with klaha as vocalist, has you covered!!

mayonaka ni kawashita yakusoku - first time i heard this song i nearly lost my mind. no exaggeration. the composition is genuinely beautiful, possibly even bordering on angelic. all my homies love mayonaka.

bara ni idorareta akui to higeki no makuake/seinaru toki eien no inori - goddamn what a long title, but fitting for a long song! as the opener for bara no seidou, it is a whopping 9 minutes long, but it had me hooked for all 9 minutes. (technically, bara ni... and seinaru are two separate tracks, but bara acts as an introduction for seinaru)

shiroi hada ni kuruu ai to kanashimi no rondo - to be towards the end of the album, it's quite the piece; and i don't use "piece" lightly. i have many feelings regarding shiroi, but to put it simply, you need to experience this song at least once.

tbh this list is getting long as fuck so i'm gonna do a rapid fire round of songs i like/ones i think are iconic:

tsuioku no kakera, au revoir (and the bossa version), apres midi (and the english version that i honestly can't place genre-wise), brise, gardenia, garnet, le ciel, gensou rakuen, aegen, gekka no yasoukyoku (deserves a long explanation as the song that got me into malice but i'm actually running out of space), the whole merveilles album*, really. (*half of those aren't even merveilles... oops)

[countessd-world]

Hi there, guys!

I'm Tanya, hyperfixing about Till The End of The Moon, Xixi, Yunlu, xianxia, fantasy, cats and coffee.

CDrama translator from Eng into Rus( fan sub team Last Snow), poet, fic writer and bookworm.

Love different mythologies, history, and Victorian era aesthetics.

Angsty dramas break my heart, but I can't help watching them.🤭

Music: visual-kei, symphonic metal, gothic metal and rock, Asian drama ost, Latin music, any songs in Spanish.

Bands and artists: X Japan, Epica, Matenrou Opera, The Gazette, Gackt, Buck— Tick, Kamijo, Within Temptation, The Cure, Delain, Visions of Atlantis, Shakira, Ricky Martin, Yasmin Levy, Isaac Hong, Luo Yunxi, Liu Yuning.

Musicas: Dracula, Last Trial( Последнее испытание), Mozart L'Opera Rock.

Fav writers: Tolkien, Remarque, William Somerset Maugham, Oscar Wilde, Shakespeare, Federico Garcia Lorca, Carlos Ruiz Zafón, Kazuo Ishiguro.

Fav anime directors: Makoto Shinkai

Fav anime studios: Ghibli, Madhouse, Mappa

Fav anime: Petshop of Horrors, Vampire Hunter D, Your Name, Garden of Words, Claymore, Maquia: When the Promised Flower Blooms, Link Click, Spirited Away, Grave of The Fireflies.

Fav actors and actresses: Luo Yunxi, Liu Yuning , Bai Lu, Zhou Ye, Hou Minghao, Cheng Lei,

Wu Jinyan, Lee Dong Wook, Wi Ha Joon, Xiao Zhan, Xiao Shunyao, Ben Barnes, Kate Winslet, Natalie Dormer, Sean Bean.

Fav Dramas and series: Till The End of The Moon, Back from The Brink, Word of Honor, The Untamed, The Double, Squid Game, A Tale of the Nine- Tailed, Kaleidoscope of Death, Princess Silver, The Mouse, Spartacus Blood and Sand, The Tudors, Game of Thrones, Merlin, Supernatural, Charmed, Zena, The Mentalist

#welcomepost

[maliciousandmizerablevampirism]

y'all are way too disrespectful towards Gackt. i understand that some may not like him and that's okay, but sending him death threats and hoping he dies just because he made a joke YEARS ago about you know who is not okay. im not trying to defend gackt but those law related things we've all heard about are none of our business and his relationship with kami's family is none of our business either, plus most of us weren't even around when those things happened...

[gy4doa]

Visual Kei (V系) : My Current Hyperfixation.

I'd like to so badly talk about V系 (Visual Kei/Vkei). This subculture has been my top interest these past few months. It is SO underrated.

Context:

Visual Kei is an alternative music and fashion movement defined as flamboyant, androgynous and theatrical. The aesthetic takes influences from international and Japanese glam rock and punk rock bands.

I have just started getting into vkei. Although I am not that educated on it, I love vkei as a whole. Its fashion, the vibe it gives off, its musicians—and most importantly, its music.

Firstly, I want to talk about the FIRST EVER band that got in me into vkei: MALICE MIZER.

Malice Mizer

This band was nothing but purely majestic. The first song I heard from them was entitled, "Ma Chèrie."

MALICE MIZER was my first vkei band ever. Each and every one of their music had me ascending! The day I discovered this band was the day I found happiness.

- But sadly, they disbanded in 2001.

Here are some songs from them that I recommend:

• Aegen

• Gekka No Yasoukyoku

• Au Revoir

• Bel Air

• Gardenia

• Premier Amour

• Le Ciel

• Transylvania

Members:

Mana - Guitarist

Közi - Guitarist

Yu~ki - Bassist

Gaz - Drummer (original/first)

Tetsu - Vocalist (first)

Kami - Drummer

Gackt - Vocalist (second)

Klaha - Vocalist (last/third)

Visit: (For more context.)

Next up!

— . . Gulu Gulu

I am currently obsessed with this band. They are the first ever JROCK band I have listened to. Despite Gulu Gulu and Malice Mizer being under the same roof (vkei), Gulu Gulu features more rock and metal-like music, unlike Malice Mizer with their angelic songs.

—— Their songs portray loud music, with band vocalist—Ai—screaming his lungs out. But nonetheless, the music they make is absolutely amazing. I cannot explain my love for this band.

- But sadly, they disbanded in March 17, 2023.

Songs I recommend:

• Kaebin

• Henna Merry Go Round

• Rubra

• Living Dead End

• Akunin

• Karappo ga Chirakatta heya

• Hidarite wa Snuff Film

Members:

Ai - Vocalist

Hotaru - Drummer

Lanju - Bassist

Rito - Guitarist

Kazari - (ex-member, Guitarist)

Visit: https://vk.gy/artists/gulu-gulu/

(for more context)

DADAROMA

Dadaroma was the 2nd band I discovered right after Gulu Gulu, and I realized that their music was a bit similar. Specifically, the vocalists' voice. Ai from Gulu Gulu and Yoshiatsu from Dadaroma both captivated me with their amazing voices.

My love for this band is actually insane. Their visuals are stunning and crazed, plus their music makes me feel so lively.

- But sadly, they disbanded in March 2020.

Song I recommend:

• Risley Circus

• POINT OF NO RETURN

• MONEY

• Mr. Terrorman

Members:

Yoshiatsu - Vocalist

Takashi - Guitarist

Tomo - Bassist

Ryohei - Drummer

Visit: (for more context)

JILUKA

JILUKA is such a talented and wonderful band. I recommend this band to people who listen to heavy metal. Despite their ethereal looks, the band makes such crazy music which is why I love them. They were the first band to get me into metal + the band men are so pretty and kind.

I would LOVE to go to a JILUKA concert someday.

- JILUKA has been active since 2013.

Songs I recommend:

• S4VAGE

• VENΦM

• BLVCK

• BaLa-DeDa

• Bloodshot

Members:

Ricko - Vocalist

Sena - Guitarist

Boogie - Bassist

Zyean - Drummer

Visit: (for more context.)

A lot of vkei fans will probably say that the bands I put here are all overrated and that I'm a 'poser' or whatever, but don't think like that.

I know more bands than just JILUKA, Gulu Gulu, Malice Mizer and Dadaroma.

For instance, I listen to Ashmaze, BUCK-TICK, Mejibray, KAKUMAY & Dir en grey. I know a bunch of vkei fans know these bands and consider them popular/overrated, but there's a reason why it's popular. The music, members and the band itself is beautiful and astonishing, which is why it has earned its title as 'popular'.

Plus, as I have stated, I am still discovering vkei bands and learning more about its genres. It'd be really helpful if you guys drop some information about Visual Kei! It is highly appreciated.

I love these bands with all my heart, but please give me recommendations of bands similar to those listed above, or just drop some underrated bands I can get attached to!

Bands I recommend:

Plastic Tree

Dazzling BAD

Versailles

the GazettE

ALIENE MARIAGE

Moi dix Mois

XaaXaa

Diaura

X Japan

SHAZNA

Songs I'd like to recommend you listen:

(band - song)

Mejibray - Kore wo izon to yobu nara

Mejibray - Divergence

Mejibray - DIE KUSSE

Plastic Tree - San-Gatsu Itsu-Ka

Plastic Tree - Ink

Plastic Tree - Tefutefu

Plastic Tree - Kuuchuu Buranko

SHAZNA - Sumire September Love

SHAZNA - Melty Love

SHAZNA - C'est la vie

Moi dix Mois - Monophobia

Moi dix Mois - Lilac of Damnation

Moi dix Mois - Nocturnal Romance

Moi dix Mois - Vestige

Gulu Gulu - Kubiwa Kyouiku no Susume

Gulu Gulu - Oyasumi

Kaneto-Juusei - Kimihahonnou

Kaneto-Juusei - tokyotomushokukobayashiakihito

Kaneto-Juusei - Manatsunobiratwo

(Sorry if the name for Kaneto-Juusei songs are wrong 😔)

: By the way, I suggested songs from bands I am fond of. As I had said, I am still discovering and learning about other bands and their music. Please bear with me, everyone. :')

— The songs I recommended are just so.. amazing. I actually can't describe how much I LOVE this genre of music. I can listen to them for all eternity.

And yes, haha, I know the beef between Ai from Gulu Gulu and Chill from Kaneto-Juusei, so saying that I put Gulu Gulu next to Kaneto-Juusei may be a bit disrespectful but it's kinda silly to me. I love both bands, though I do not support or can confirm the surrounding controversies each band has. I love and enjoy them solely because of their style and music, maybe also one member who isn't as problematic as the others or the band itself.

[cryptidsurveys]

Friday, August 16th, 2024.

Have you had more hot or cold drinks today? I've had something like 20% hot and 80% cold.

What's a name you like that's similar to yours? I don't have any special fondness for names similar to mine.

Where did you get the last plate/bowl you ate with from? It's a giant red mug decorated with gingerbread houses. I bought it at Walmart last year during the holiday season.

How's your mental health today? It's decent. I'm a lot better at bouncing back from stress/overwhelm than I once was. Things that used to crush me are now basically resolved within 24 hrs.

What bands and artists did you listen to when you were a teenager? I listened to a lot of alternative rock/metal on the radio; I don't think I could list out all of the bands I liked because it was more like a song here, a song there, etc. But some regulars (meaning I had their CDs or made mixtapes of their music) were Evanescence, Three Days Grace, Green Day, My Chemical Romance, Creed, Sarah McLachlan, Linkin Park, and J-rock artists/bands like Malice Mizer, Gackt, Gazette, etc.

Do your feelings get hurt easily? They can. I still struggle with my sense of self-worth and the belief that maybe I deserve to be treated badly, like it's my karma or something, but I'm actually starting to get annoyed when people are needlessly rude to me. I know - pick your battles - but maybe I'll finally start sticking up for myself instead of constantly taking it...?

What sort of restaurant did you last eat at? I went to lunch with my parents at Black Eyed Pea a little over a week ago.

Do you have a friend who's always sending you TikTok videos? Do you actually watch them? Oliver often sends me funny little videos, and yes, I do actually watch (and appreciate) them. We have a very similar sense of humor.

Have you ever seen a cougar in the wild? I haven't.

Will you attend a wedding in the next 3 months? No.

Are you good at following instructions? Yeah, for the most part, unless they're ridiculously complicated or dealing with something I know very little about (like car mechanics, for instance).

What's your backyard or outdoor area like? The backyard is fairly large and rather overgrown.

Do you like your boss? Or your last boss if you don't currently have one? Even though I'm just a volunteer, I consider Leslie and Iris my "bosses." I do like them.

When was the last time you took a selfie? Wednesday. It was of me with the new kitten.

What did you have for breakfast yesterday? Oatmeal.

What do you do to entertain yourself on a long flight or journey? I haven't been on a long flight or road trip in years, but I would probably entertain myself with audiobooks, podcasts, music, daydreaming, random snapshots of the scenery, chats with my dad (if he happened to be along with me)…

Where are you right now? I'm at home, in my bedroom.

Have you ever done a hearing test? Yeah.

Do you hate small talk? It can feel a bit awkward. I try my best, but I just don't know what to say.

What's the hottest temperature your current town/city has ever had? 109*F.

What programs/applications do you currently have open on the device you're using right now? Microsoft Edge and Krita (art program).

How many steps per day do you do, generally? I'm not sure. If I'm at the animal shelter, then probably a whole bunch because I'm almost always on my feet. However, when I wore a step counter back when I worked at the pet shop, the total was often underwhelming. Not nearly as much as I would have guessed - again, especially considering I was moving around all day long.

Have you had any snacks today? Yeah. I typically have 3 meals and at least 2 snacks, plus random bits of whatever.

What's the next thing you'll tick off your to-do list? Probably pick out my clothes for tomorrow. I hate rummaging around trying to find things in the morning.

Have you ever had a chia pet? No.

What's your favourite sandwich filling? Lol, probably cheese. I eat primarily cheese-based sandwiches these days.

Do you have any nieces or nephews? I don't.

What was the last reason you saw a doctor? For a check-up.

Do you use light mode or dark mode on your phone? I guess light mode…?

[xinfinityl0ve17]

"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

[worldwideh0pe]

Kaya and Ares' music taste

this is their usual go-to bands.

Kaya likes complicated sounds in its every form, chaotic or calm. i didn't add it but they also like aphex twin and björk. they are also a v-kei nerd so they like gackt too. he definetly is an old school rock liker, he especially enjoys grunge for the movement's beliefs. techno though, is something he recently tipped his toes at. when he was younger he really didn't think that electro music could be good (you can blame his father Levent who is the one to instill the oldschool rock soul into him)

Ares' favorite band is nin bc he relates to the music a lot. though he still doesn't quiet know why he likes it so much. he thinks that it's edgy and "hard asf". during his plot he starts to realise why he likes the music, rather the lyrics so much. he finds comfort through the lyrics and relates to how it is to destroy one's self. other than that he likes music that makes him feel horny and cool. he also likes chris cornell's music in general. he's more familiar with audioslave though.

from their frienships, they get to listen eachother's taste. through Ares, Kaya realises he also likes industrial. and from Kaya, Ares finds his love to more different sounds from what he's used to.

they probably both like alizade. everyone likes alizade. STREAM SPECIAL BY ALIZADE

[ridethehammett]

i think it’s time to influence the population ‼️ i know i talk about american metal and stuff but to my metal and rock friends out there, i suggest visual kei! since i know pretty men are a huge interest (and of course the music) here are some of my favorite pretty men and recommended songs from my favorite bands! 🖤

what is visual kei?

“visual kei is a music scene and movement that originated in japan during the late 1980s, influenced by glam rock and other 1980's rock music styles.” (i looked it up because i couldn’t form words myself lol)

toshiya (bass) - dir en grey

i had a HUGE obsession with this man!!

i love this song but they also have more scream metal type songs as well!

hyde (vocalist) - l’arc en ciel

bye where do i even begin with this man. he’s so sexy with short hair but his LONG HAIR?

SMASH‼️

they’re a soft rock kind of band and absolutely awesome! also hyde is such a tease bye

mana (lead guitarist) - malice mizer

there’s a change you’ve seen him or gackt before because malice mizer is one of the most popular vkei bands. they’ve gone through a couple lineup changes, therefore their music style changed (rip gaz and kami ily 🖤) they’re not together anymore unfortunately but i love them. also, if you like concerning individuals i suggest looking up gackt ☠️ i’m gonna put a couple songs with each vocalist (they’ve had 3 lmao) their overall theme is classic rock/goth!

ryutaro (vocalist) - plastic tree

I NEED HIM HE IS SO PRETTY

HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS SONG. it’s one of my favorite songs of all time! they’re a soft rock/grunge band, that’s how i’d describe it? i dunno.

NOW ARE YALL READY

ARE YOU?

atsushi sakurai (vocalist) - buck tick

MY MAN MY MAN MY FUCKING MAN STOP

LISTEN TO THIS SONG YOU WONT REGRET

THERE WILL BE A PART TWO‼️

[popmusicu]

I'm Malice Mizer tunnel-visioned HELP

To conclude my posts, I would like to revisit the topic I started with in my first post about visual kei, this time focusing on one of the most influential bands in the genre, Malice Mizer. This band has achieved several milestones in the movement, with their influence extending beyond music to setting trends in aesthetics and stage presence. Therefore, to wrap up this course, I want to delve deeper into their work, specifically highlighting the importance of the album merveilles for visual kei and Japanese music in general.

Malice Mizer's members with their attire for the Le Ciel video (so iconic omg)

Malice Mizer, a seminal band in the visual kei scene, left an indelible mark with their 1998 album merveilles. Among the standout tracks on this album are Illuminati, Bel Air ~Kūhaku no Toki no Naka de~, Gekka no Yasoukyoku and Le Ciel, each encapsulating the band's distinctive blend of gothic, baroque, and rock elements. The impact of both the album and these songs on the visual kei movement is profound and multifaceted.

Cover for Malice Mizer's third album merveilles (1998).

merveilles arrived at a time when visual kei was gaining significant traction in Japan. The genre, known for its elaborate aesthetics, theatrical performances, and genre-blending music, found a perfect embodiment in Malice Mizer. The band's meticulous attention to visual and musical detail set them apart, and merveilles is a testament to this dedication. The album features a rich tapestry of sounds, including art rock, synthpop, and classical influences, which are particularly evident in tracks like Bel Air ~Kūhaku no Toki no Naka de~ and Illuminati.In 2004, it was named one of the top albums from 1989–1998 by the music magazine Band Yarouze and in 2021, Jamie Cansdale of Kerrang! included merveilles on a list of 13 essential Japanese rock and metal albums, noting that Malice Mizer embraced "antiquated piano and violin fanfare, resulting in symphonic ballads and avant-garde pomp heavier than anything on the airwaves at the time."

Illuminati in particular, stands out for its dark and enigmatic themes. The song's intricate composition, combining gothic rock with classical and electronic elements, exemplifies the band's innovative approach. The accompanying music video further enhances the song's mystique, featuring elaborate costumes, gothic imagery, and a narrative that invites various interpretations. This fusion of audio and visual artistry became a blueprint for many visual kei artists who followed. Music magazine Quelle called merveilles a "gothic masterpiece," a perfect storm of theatricality and musical innovation. Illuminati was particularly noted for its "dark, romantic atmosphere" by JaMe World, contrasting starkly with the playful pop-rock dominating the mainstream at the time.

Furthermore, the visual style of the Illuminati music video had a significant influence on the visual kei scene. In the early 2000s, visual kei bands began adopting stylistic elements from the fetish branch of gothic fashion, such as corsets, vinyl fabric, and spiked collars. This more sexualized appearance can be traced back to the Illuminati video, which featured the band members in BDSM-inspired attire and behavior.

One of the BDSM-inspired attire for the Illuminati video and live presentation (these outfits live rent free in my mind)

Phantasmagoria: an example of the 'fetish' attire influence from Malice Mizer.

The influence of merveilles extends beyond its immediate impact. This album marked the pinnacle of Malice Mizer's success, being their best-selling album, charting high on the Oricon charts, and earning them several national TV appearances.  Also, the Japanese pop culture website Real Sound credited Malice Mizer as the first visual kei band to incorporate European aesthetics into heavy metal with the twin guitars in Bel Air ~Kūhaku no Toki no Naka de~.

Gackt in the Bel Air video for the single launched in 1997 and included in the merveilles album.

The album also includes Gekka no Yasoukyoku a hauntingly beautiful track that showcases the band's ability to blend classical music with modern rock. The music video for this song features a gothic fairytale aesthetic, reinforcing the band's commitment to creating a complete visual and auditory experience.

Mana Sama and Közi in Malice Mizer: Gekka no Yasoukyoku (1998)

Le Ciel is another significant track from merveilles, known for its emotional depth and poignant lyrics. The live performance of Le Ciel at the 1998 concert "merveilles l'espace" is particularly memorable. In this concert at the Nippon Budokan, the band utilized a large building as a stage prop, incorporating elaborate theatrics that captivated the audience. Each band member performed skits, with Gackt's performance of Le Ciel being a standout moment. During this skit, Gackt fell to the stage to sing the song and returned to "Heaven" by the song's and concert's end, creating a powerful visual and emotional impact. This concert was a significant success and was released on home video as merveilles (Shūen to Kisū) l'espace. Additionally, the band held their last live performance with Gackt at the Yokohama Arena in July 1998, prior to the announcement of his departure in January 1999.

Gackt s ascent to ''Heaven'' on the cover for the Malice Mizer: merveilles ~Tendency and End~l'espace DVD.

Malice Mizer's success helped to elevate the visual kei genre, pushing it into the mainstream and inspiring a new generation of bands. Groups such as Versailles, Moi dix Mois (founded by Malice Mizer's guitarist Mana sama), and many others have cited Malice Mizer as a pivotal influence. The theatricality and musical experimentation that Malice Mizer championed continue to be hallmarks of the genre.

The vkei and power metal band Versailles (very iconic, highly recommended too)

On a personal note, Malice Mizer holds a special place in my heart (as if you didn't notice haha). Despite the changes the band went through in its relatively short existence, each 'era' highlighted by the presence of different vocalists has something unique and special to offer. None is better than the other in my view; they all contribute to the cohesive whole that is Malice Mizer. Their ability to evolve while maintaining a distinct identity is what truly sets them apart and solidifies their legacy in the world of visual kei and beyond. This is especially evident in the legacy left by merveilles. The album's blend of gothic, baroque, art rock, and synthpop aesthetics with rock music not only defined their unique sound and image but also set a new standard for the genre. As visual kei continues to evolve, the echoes not only of merveilles, but their whole music can still be heard, proving the enduring influence of Malice Mizer's visionary artistry.

Malice Mizer through time, from above to below: ''Tetsu era'', ''Gackt era'' and ''Klaha era''.

No special recommendation for this post, just click on the linked words and enjoy!!

-Francisca Rivera.