Malice Mizer is a former Visual Kei band in the 90s. Throughout their eras, from classical influences in both Tetsu and Gackt, to a more gothic approach in the final Klaha era, there are some songs that would be considered a personal favorite within each era.

Tetsu Era:

Starting with the Testu Era, spanning from 1992-1994, the band’s songs follow a more emotional story paired with Tetsu’s singing inside their Memoire album.

1. “Gogo no Sasayaki” (Whispers in the Afternoon)

This song has more of a bossa nova rhythm. I could not find the exact meaning of the song, yet the translated lyrics talk about the narrator’s instincts as they reach up towards the clouds wishing for love. Despite its different vibe, the new rhythm is refreshing with energy as the music gets more intense.

2. “Ege Umi ni Sasagu” (Dedicated to the Aegean Sea)

Unlike “Baroque”, this song is slower and more paced. The meaning of this song is about a girl on the Aegean remembering a sad love from long ago. The instrumental is easy to catch on, as well as its crescendo into the chorus. No matter your mood, this song can be upbeat with its instrumental, or somber with their lyrics.

3. “Baroque”

This song follows the narrator choking his lover. Listing it first in the Tetsu era is a bit of a stretch with the actual meaning of the song, although his vocal range is perfect in sharing the image of what the song is trying to show. Looking at the english translation, his singing style is filled with sorrow and longing fitting the emotions that the lyrics portray. For something that is high energy yet filled with a deep sorrowful meaning, this is a recommended listen.

4. “Miwaku no Rooma” (Enchanted in Rome)

There was an effort into finding the meaning of the song through the lyrics, although finding some meaning to these songs can be vague. Despite this following the theme of a rock song, incorporation of classical instruments added to the theme of Malice Mizer, especially their theme during their early years as a band.

5. “Sadness” (I Know The Reason For Her Sadness)

This is the final song that would be placed towards the top of favorite Tetsu era songs. While I do like the chorus part as well as the vocals fully incorporating the meaning and emotions of the music, playing it enough times can start feeling familiar. As this is one of the most famous songs from this era (as well as “Baroque” and “Ege Umi ni Sasagu”) much of it is a bit overplayed, making it get the most credit despite many of their underrated songs. Still recommend giving it a listen though.

Gackt Era:

In the second era, after 1994, Tetsu left the band due to musical differences, participating in non-visual bands later on. A year after this, Gackt debuted as their new vocalist till his departure in 1999. The Gackt era is the time where many are most likely to get introduced to when first listening to Malice Mizer. This was the longest era and basically the band’s climax to their popularity.

1. “Gekka no Yasoukyoku” (Nocturne Under The Moonlight)

 This is one of the most popular songs in the Gackt era, as well as it being the first to introduce me to the band. The meaning of the song follows two star-crossed lovers, much like Romeo and Juliet, but instead turned into dolls under death’s hand. In the music video, there are two ghosts of the band men and a child whose mission is introduced to put the two-star-crossed lovers soul at ease. This song would be recommended for anyone that wants an introduction to Malice Mizer.

2. “Le Ciel”

There was an interview about the meaning of this song, Gackt the vocalist, responded that there wasn’t any exact meaning. Although, it is mainly supposed to fall on the words of kindness and justice, which are interpreted differently by everyone. Either way, this song is a top favorite for its instrumental and touching lyrics interpreting the narrator holding on to their love before they return to the sky. This song seemingly also put the whole trend of thinking “sad lyrics = sad rhythm” away and instead introduced a more rock theme into it, empowering almost. The music video paired with it also reminds me of “Earth Song” by Michael Jackson.

3. “Apres Midi”

The meaning of this song is interpreted more in the lyrics. The image goes like this: the narrator takes their normal afternoon walk in Paris before glimpsing at a girl smiling. The narrator falls in love as the girl smiles for another guy. This, along with the lyrics being more direct with its meaning, places third because it captures the imagery of an afternoon walk in Paris. The instrumental also conveys both emotion and setting. Before the 2nd chorus, the music tones down setting the mood for an imagery of a sunset. In terms of emotions, its upbeat and paced mood captures excitement, love, or any feeling you would get from having a crush.

4. “ILLUMINATI”

Now a sudden change of mood, in fourth place is “ILLUMINATI”. Gackt’s vocals in this goes well with the overall theme and various instruments. Listening to Gackt’s singing, it pairs up with the instruments easily showing the mood of the song as well as its “imagery”. His vocal range between short high notes also emphasize this.

5. “Brise”

While there is no exact meaning to this song, there is an imagery of the narrator being in a white room much like a hospital room. The lyrics in this song do connect with the listeners explaining the imagery of both the narrator and them playing around. Despite the poetic and soft sounding lyrics, it fits perfectly with the upbeat vibe that tries to connect with the listeners. There is a more personal feel to this, looking at the lyrics one would assume that they were already acquaintances with the narrator making the lyrics more deeper. Overall, this can be a comfort song for anyone listening.

Klaha Era:

Lastly, the Klaha era, spanning from 2000-2001. Klaha was the third and final member of Malice Mizer. From the departure of Gackt, as well as the death of Kami due to a subarachnoid hemorrhage on June 21, 1999, the band then followed more gothic themes. Despite the release of “Gardenia” which showed a brighter aesthetic Malice Mizer wasn’t used to, other album releases like “Mayonaka ni Kawashita Yakusoku” followed a darker theme, following their final album released from the band, “Garnet”.

1. “Bara no Konrei ~ Mayonaka ni Kawashita Yakusoku” (Bridal of Rose ~ A Promise Made at Midnight)

Another popular song taking the top 5, the movie that comes along with this retells Bram Stoker’s Dracula. The title reflects the movie, involving a character named Klaha who is engaged to Cecil, although postponing their wedding having to deal with the Earl of Dracula and a manor in Transylvania. Conflicts arise, making the movie “Bara no Konrei” (Bridal of Rose). This song introduced me to the Klaha era, before watching the actual movie. This song sounds refreshing yet still adds a gothic feel for whoever listens.

2. “Kagami no Butou Genwaku no Yoru”

Some meanings in these songs are hard to explain, yet the calm intro easily lets the listener go into where the song is intense. The sudden calm chorus is engaging from the lyrics prior to that. Overall it can attract attention from its ever-changing instrumental.

3. “Chinurareta Kajitsu” (Fruit Smeared with Blood)

Looking at the lyrics, it mainly talks about blood. There might be a mention of death but it is not exact. The initial distortion of the lyrics can catch the listeners attention, although to me it seems more like anger before the chorus reflects a simpler tune. The instrumental is inconsistent in its own way, yet it all fits together. Anyone that likes gothic theme music with a bit of insanity in the instrumental can listen to this.

4. “Seinaru Toki Eien no Inori” (Sacred Time, Eternal Prayer)

The fourth song in the Klaha era is quite a long one. Spanning around 8 minutes and 19 seconds, the singing starts around 2:40. This song mainly brings out a burst of energy, without thinking about the lyrics, many can make their own imagery of this song freely.

5. “Mori no Naka no Tenshi”

The final song in this review, takes a more happy approach that is way different than Malice Mizer’s previous compositions. Composed by Kami, this was released in the Kami Memorial Box titled “Shinwa”. It is a joyful tune and one of the few compositions that Kami made before his death. It is a recommended listen and can uplift anyone’s mood.

Spanning from the beginnings of the Tetsu era, the grand peak of Malice Mizer in the Gackt era, and then the gradual path towards hiatus in the Klaha era. These are only a few songs from the 70 to 80 they made in total, depending on whether or not you include unreleased tracks. I recommend listening to this band, staying in the realm of visual-kei; they have different sounds within each song to choose from. Each song evokes a story and a deep meaning throughout, making you able to live within the world of Malice Mizer.