Japanese Visual Metal - Rock&Read June 2023 Vol. 107 - Mana, Kamijo, Asagi, Sono

Japanese Visual Metal - Joint Statement

On January 1, the "Japanese Visual Metal Joint Statement" was announced by Moi dix Mois, Versailles, D, and Matenrou Opera, four bands that represent “tanbi” metal, or "aesthetic metal”. It was also announced that the four of them would tour together in September and release a memorial single called "Concerto ~Aesthetic Bloodline~" under the name “JVM Roses Blood Symphony”. Here, we asked the four leaders of each band, who are also the JVM leaders, to talk about how this project came along, and about their thoughts and what this project signifies to them. 

To come out of the pandemic.... To create a new scene...

The "team mates" who have sometimes faced each other as rivals, are now on the move together.

Japanese Visual Metal - Group Leaders Roundtable - BILLBOARD Japan April 10th 2023

Interview

Mana (Moi dix mois), KAMIJO (Versailles), ASAGI (D) and Sono (Matenrou Opera) join forces to create “Japanese Visual Metal”

On January 1, 2023, four artists, Moi dix Mois, Versailles, D and Matenrou Opera announced a shocking “joint statement”. We held a sumptuous roundtable discussion with the representative leaders of the four bands. Following the lead of Moi dix Mois, which took the first official step last December through the joint statement, each band is now working to lift the ban on vocal performances at solo live shows. In addition, the social media of these four artists have been converted into a medium to create a new "Japanese Visual Metal" scene based on the "Visual" scene that they have walked in and the "Metal" scene that they have been influenced by. Based on this, they have created a new scene called "Japanese Visual Metal" and will hold a Zepp Tour titled "Japanese Visual Metal Tour" together. They are also working on a joint songwriting project. What is it that unites these four artists? What is the “Japanese Visual Metal” that was born from this project? We asked the four artists to talk about the "bloodlines" that run through their backgrounds. 

(*NOTE : I did not use any -san/-kun as it often is less natural in English. I am not a professional and only do this for fun in the hopes of making it easier for fans to access content in Japanese and the translation might not be perfect or word-for-word accurate but reflects the original text in the most accurate way I could with my level of Japanese.)

Philosophy I - Moi dix mois 10e Anniversaire booklet

 As Moi dix mois recently released their 3rd book of the Philosophy series for the 20th anniversary, I wanted to revisit the past editions of Philosophy I and II to see how the members changed through the years with the band and what they had to share. First is Philosophy I, released in 2012 I believe, for the 10th anniversary. At the time the members had already changed from the first line-up, some members being there for five years already when the booklet came out. So what did Mana and the members have to share about their time in the first part of the story of Moi dix mois ? 

Moi dix Mois 20e Anniversaire ~Dis Inferno XIX~Last Year Party~ Shibuya Stream Hall 18.12.22

 After only having an online Q&A and short show for a "Last Year Party" in 2021, this year, the long awaited ~Dis Inferno~ returned for the 19th edition at Shibuya Stream hall. 

Moi dix mois ~20th Anniversary tour - Route vers l'Ouest~ Osaka BEYOND 2 days

After 118 days without Moi dix mois, finally, we all gathered in Amemura, Osaka, for a jet black meeting to cheer for the band that was visiting Kansai for the first time in years. 

I was meeting a friend from Hyogo, and two from Tokyo on Saturday. Before the show, we had a lovely lunch at a "Heavy Metal Rock" themed sweets buffet, which put us in the ambiance with their guitar, amps and skulls decorations adorned with black and red flowers and food items. It was such a good timing with the theme, when I had seen the post on Twitter, I had to invite my friends to join me for it before the show. It seems the Art Hotel Osaka Bay Side has many wonderful themed buffets year round at the Sky 51 Buffet, so I definitely recommend it ! 

With a little time to spare, we also planned to stop at Atelier Pierrot Osaka, where my friend (an Atelier Pierrot staff) had briefly met Mana the previous day when he went to the store to leave a signed panel to put up in store, since they carry Moi-même-moitié there. Friday evening, Mana was alone it seems, but when we went, we were lucky to see all members had come by and left their autograph as well ! They must have had a busy Friday evening, so I'm thankful they visited ! 

After a quick visit at the shop we walked to the venue a few steps away. We had good tickets for both days so I did not want to miss the opening time to make sure we could secure a good place (the aim is always on the right side as close as possible, but that's also a lot of other people's goal, so the competition is fierce, fufufu....) We got about 2 people in front of us, right in front of Mana's place, so we were happy with our placement. The venue was small, so we were very close. The 30 minute wait time before the show was so long, and it was quite hot in there... And then it started. 

Cathédrale de la Rose - Livre Rose - First Chapter - Mana talks about the making of Bara no Seidou

[Cathédrale de la Rose]~Livre Rose was a publication by Malice Mizer that included photoshoots showing their recent looks of their 3 single series and album, as well as interviews about the process, making, creation and completion of the show "Bara ni Irodorareta Akui to Higeki no Makuake" (薔薇に彩られた悪意と悲劇の幕開け) at the Budokan. I will try to translate all interviews in the book in order, as they not only interview the members, but also the production team members that helped the group realize their vision from the stage design, construction and lighting to the costume designer that worked with them to make the concept come to life, for a full backstage view of what it was to make the biggest stage ever made at the Budokan a reality. 

For those interested in the physical material, Livre Rose and Livre Rose~Blanche are the same photo book with the same written contents and interviews, but Livre Rose was the first edition and usually comes in a velvet box with a serial numbered cross necklace, and Livre Rose~Blanche is a re-printing that has an additional photo shoot with the wedding like costumes.

This first chapter is an interview with Mana, who was the main concept creator for Bara no Seidou and also the editor of the Livre Rose. 

(Note* : I believe most would be familiar but when they are discussing the 3 parts of the show/costumes/concept, the 1st part was the Saikai no Chi to Bara costumes (EGL/Gothic), the 2nd part was the PVC and braids costumes, and 3rd part Shiroi Hada ni Kuruu Ai to Kanashimi no Rondo more historical inspired costumes with white lace)

Cathedrale de la Rose 

First Interview - Mana Sama

Construction Trajectory of the “Cathedral of Roses”

August 31 and September 1st, 2000.

On August 31 and September 1st, 2000, the "Cathedral of Roses" appeared at the Nippon Budokan. The following two episodes will trace the path of the largest and most fantastic set building ever made in the Budokan's history until its inauguration. The first story is about Mana, the total concept director of the "Cathedral of Roses”. The second story will be a three-way conversation between Mana, stage producer Mr. Asano, and concert producer Mr. Ito.

Men of Showa 50 - Vol. 011 - June 2021 - Mana Interview and History

This magazine is part of a collection of magazines titled after the men and women of different eras (Showa 40 (1965), Showa 50 (1975)...) that usually showcases artists, creators or famous people of these generations and/or for these generations. 

In this volume, the theme was the "Japanese music revolution of 1997". The theme of that volume was presented as such : 

"The 1990s, when men of the Showa 50 era spent their youth in Japan, was an era of prosperity for Japanese music. (...) The theme of this issue is "1997 Japanese Music Revolution." Looking back at the hit charts in 1997, the "TK boom" was still alive and well, but R&B, idols, anime songs, TV programs, and indie bands also entered the scene. (...) Also symbolic was the Fuji Rock Festival, which began that year, a space where people could go wild about live music, transcending the boundaries of Japanese and Western music and genres. In short, the extremely natural mindset of "Just listen to what you like!" became the revolution. And we, the editorial staff, declare 1997 to be the year in which this revolution took place. In this issue, we delve into the Japanese music scene of the time with words from artists and people who were excited by this era."

Note: 

Although the title of the magazine is Showa 50, this is not Mana's birth year as we do not know his real age. He is from that generation of people who would have been late teenagers in the early 90s, though, and that also had a phenomenal career in 97, which made him a perfect guest for this magazine as he fit the theme. 

The Men of Showa 50 
The Japanese music revolution of 1997 - The music that resonated with us

The unprecedented Visual Kei boom has struck!

Mana talks about the truth behind the band that surpassed the limits of mainstream.

Ultra Veat vol. 58 - September 2000 - Malice Mizer "Bara no Seidou" and the "New Malice Mizer" (Mana, Közi, Yu~ki + Kami)

An interview done just before the new album and the new fourth member of Malice Mizer would be revealed to the world, after almost 1.5 years without seeing the fans live. The interviewer also wrote a feature about Kami at the end of the interview. Let's discover the thorny way the members took to achieve their last glorious album, "Bara no Seidou". 

Note : 

I kept most names of the songs as is (romaji) as this is how most people know them, but I decided to translate them in some sentences because the interviewer or the member was alluding to the specific word/concept mentioned in the title of it, so for clarity purpose I translated it/added a note in parenthesis. (*)

Some questions or answers seem to jump a lot as well, and I think it might be because the interview is edited down ? I did my best to keep track of everything, but the ideas and questions of the interviewer did seem scattered a little bit, so I apologize if some places aren't as clear. 

Cathedral of Roses 

A new curtain will finally be opened on malice and tragedy with the release of the new album “Bara no Seidou”, on August 23rd.”Bara no Seidou" is not only the conclusion of Malice Mizer’s activities as a three member group, but also the beginning of a new dawn of malice and tragedy. This album, which shows the most thorough attention to detail ever shown since their beginning, is the prelude to the next new development of Malice Mizer, and is also a starting point, with the Budokan concert to be performed with the fourth blood relative, titled "The Rose of Reunion" (Saikai no Chi to Bara) and "The Rose of Promise" (Yakusoku no Bara) on August 31 and September 1st. We will get to the core of Malice Mizer’s "Cathedral of Roses" and the new story that begins here…!

“Bara no Seidou” opens the door to destiny !

Where is Malice Mizer headed ?

SHOXX vol. 67 - September 1998 - MALICE MIZER "The Girl's Collection" Interview

In this interview, all 5 of the members appeared in a several page spread in which they were all dressed as historical women figures. I am posting the members' interview in the order they appeared in the magazine.

Content Warning : Sex.

The subject of sex is addressed. Nothing graphic at all but there are discussions about it. (Question 5, and sometimes mentioned in Question 4 as well)

Note :

This interview has a question about the member's opinion on same-sex couples/love. Some of the members talked about their own feelings and or alluded to gender concepts. Please DO NOT assume anyone's gender identity or sexual orientation from this. It might be out of context, lost in translation, and also is not your business. Do NOT go around assuming any of the member's pronouns/gender identity/sexual orientation. This is also over 20 years old and might have changed since then (or not, but again, not anyone's business). You are free to think what you want about their answers but be respectful if you ever address this topic about them/this interview in public/on social media.

The Girl's Collection Interview   

Well, ladies and gentlemen. What you will see today are five beauties from around the world, from the legendary beauties of ancient Arabia to the stars of the silver screen in good old Hollywood, in a collection that transcends time and space. Here at SHOXX we all strongly suggest you see more about these beauties. For those ladies and gentlemen still raising eyebrows in curiosity, please keep reading.

Rock & Read Vol. 101 - June 2022 - Moi dix mois Interview (Mana, Seth, Ryux)

Moi dix Mois 

Profile Information : Solo project formed on March 19th 2002 by Mana from the now on hiatus group Malice Mizer. The current (since 2014) support group members are Seth (vocal), Ryux (guitar), Sugiya (bass), Hayato (drums), and K(guitar) who passed away on May 19th, 2014. The [Moi dix mois 20e Anniversaire Live Series ~ Route vers l'Ouest~] will be held on July 23rd and 24th at Second Clutch in Hiroshima. 

20e Anniversaire 

It has now been 20 years since Mana from Malice Mizer started his solo project in 2002. Although the group is now like a permanent band with fixed project members, we invited Mana, the leader of the group, Seth, the 2nd era vocalist who has been in the group since 2006, as well as Ryux, the guitarist who joined in 201, to talk about the history of Moi dix mois. Surprising truths will be revealed !