Gackt, formerly of Malice Mizer (Part 2 of 2)
Happy birthday to Gackt! (Part 2 of 2)
Gackt’s musical experience dates back many many years, to when he was only three years old, when he started classical piano lessons. His family listened primarily to classical and enka music, and his experience with other varieties of music was limited until he was a young adult.
In 1995, Gackt met Mana, the leader of a band named Malice Mizer. After getting to know each other, Mana brought Gackt to meet the rest of the band, and he was cast as the vocalist. The band later became incredibly famous and popular, establishing itself as a premier “visual kei” band, with elaborate costumes and makeup. They also earned a reputation of each of their albums being different, a unique and difficult aspect to achieve for a rock band. During the band’s career Gackt wrote the lyrics for most of their songs, and even took part in composing as well.
However, In January 1999, Gackt suddenly left the band and began pursuing his solo career. Nobody knows for sure why he left, and claims from both parties vary. Malice Mizer continued, though five months after Gackt’s departure, the drummer Kami died of a hemorrhage.
Gackt’s solo debut occurred on May 12, 1999, when he released a mini-album entitled Mizerable. His career kicked off with more of a band as well; before he released Mizerable he became a regular performer at the radio station “Radio's Rajio Ougon Jidai - Kuwareta Youkan to Kajirareta Mikan”, and in April he held his first solo performance, “Gackt Easter Live - Resurrection”. In July, he released his first single, Mizerable.
His second single and last for 1999 was Vanilla, which went on to hit the #4 spot on the charts. It remained on the charts for 10 weeks. In 2000, after the release of three more singles, Gackt released his first solo album, MARS in April. Following the album he embarked on a nationwide tour, and released a VHS later in the year that ranked #1 on the monthly video charts on Countdown TV.
A continuous stream of singles followed until he released his second album, Rebirth, in April 2001. In March he began to appear on the TV show Domoto Kyoudai. The rest of the year progressed smoothly with more single releases, including the Christmas ballad, Juunigatsu no Love Song.
April 2002 featured the single Wasurenai Kara, which contained two tracks that were both used for different commercials. He then embarked on his third national tour, during which he released his third album, MOON. In September Gackt held his first overseas concert in Beijing, China, to an audience of over 50,000 people. He also participated in the musical evenet “China-Japan: Holding Hands, Moving Together”, commemorating thirty years of correcting relationships between the two countries.
He finished off the year with his fourth nationwide concert from October to December, finishing on Christmas eve. He released an English version of his 2001 Christmas single in November.
2003 was also a busy year for Gackt. His autobiography, Jihaku, was published, and in April, the movie MOON CHILD was released, which Gackt co-wrote and starred in along with L’Arc-en-Ciel’s vocalist Hyde. Subsequently he began a fifth nationwide tour, and in December he released a third version of his Christmas single, this time a duet in Mandarin with Chinese musician Wang Leehom. On the same day, his fourth album, Crescent, was released.
Just two months later, he released a single collection entitled The Sixth Day, and launched another tour. Three months later he released The Seventh Night ~Unplugged~, containing acoustic arrangements of the same single collection. He released another single, Kimi ni Aitakute, which was the ending theme to the TV show The Wide, and in December a Korean version of Juunigatsu no Love Song was released. He was also awarded the “Best Asian Rock Artist” award at the m.net/Km MUSIC VIDEO FESTIVAL, Korea’s largest musical event.
After releasing a new single in early 2005, Gackt released his fifth album, and first ever ballad album, Love Letter, on Valentine’s Day. His next two singles, BLACK STONE and Metamorphoze, were used as themes for anime. In June, Love Letter was re-recorded in Korean and released for Korean fans.
In August, his twenty-third single was released, as the theme for the TV show Contract Marriage. He then released his sixth album, Diabolos, in September, and began the albums promotional tour. In December, a second Korean version of Juunigatsu no Love Song was released only through the internet, and was a duet with the Korean group MC the MAX’s Isoo.
2006 launched Gackt’s first Asian tour, and he appeared first in Korea. He then released two singles, Redemption, the theme to the PS2 game Dirge of Cerebrus, and Love Letter, which was a theme for Mobile Suit Gundam Z: Love is a Star’s Beat. Gackt then released three DVDs, one of his December 2005 Tokyo Dome performance in March, and two PV collection videos in August. Then, betweeen October and November, all of Gackt’s albums, excluding Love Letter, were re-released as “PREMIUM COLLECTION” version with CD jackets Finally, in December, a “Complete Box” of Juunigatsu no Love Song singles was released, summing up the five-year tradition.
In January, Gackt was cast to play the role of Uesugi Kenshin in NHK period drama Fuurinkazan, which was aired throughout 2007.
Continuing with this busy stream of releases, a new single was released in February 2007, No ni Saku Hana no Youni, which peaked at the #3 spot on the Oricon charts. In June, he released his twenty-seventh single, RETURNER - Yami no Shuen, which became Gackt’s first ever number one hit.
Gackt also joined a group of well established musicians called S.K.I.N., which consisted of Miyavi, Yoshiki (X-Japan), and Sugizo (Luna Sea). The group performed for the first time in Anime Expo in Los Angeles, California, though they have since been inactive.
On December 19, Gackt released his seventh full album, 0079-0088, which is Gundam themed and created to commemorate the birthday of the creator Gundam: Toshyuki Tomino. It contains tracks that Gackt had previously released for the various Gundam series, or tracks from the past that he covered. It is a widely known fact that Gackt is a fan of Gundam, and such a release is an open tribute to the anime.
Gackt’s most recent release is the DVD Amakakeru Ryu no Gotoku, which is a documentary and commentary on the making of Fuurinkazan. He is said to be recording new material at this time.
In addition, it was recently announced that Gackt was chosen specially to co-star with Josh Hartnett and Demi Moore in the 2009 Hollywood film Bunraku because of his performance in Fuurinkazan. The director, Guy Moshe, flew to Japan specifically to convince Gackt to take the part. Fans are now eagerly waiting for more news about the movie.
Debut Date:
With Malice Mizer: 1995
Solo: May 1999
Label: Nippon Crown
Discography
Singles:
07/09/1999 - Mizerable
08/11/1999 - Vanilla
11/03/1999 - Remix of Gackt
02/09/2000 - Mirror
02/16/2000 - Oasis
03/08/2000 - Seki-ray
08/30/2000 - Saikai ~Story~
11/06/2000 - Secret Garden
03/14/2001 - Kimi no Tame ni Dekiru Koto
06/05/2001 - Another World
12/16/2001 - Juunigatsu no Love Song (Original Japanese version)
03/20/2002 - Vanilla (re-release)
04/24/2002 - Wasurenai Kara
12/27/2002 - Juunigatsu no Love Song (English version)
03/19/2003 - Kimi ga Oikakete Yume
06/11/2003 - Tsuki no Uta
06/25/2003 - Luna / Oasis
11/12/2003 - Last Song
12/03/2003 - Juunigatsu no Love Song (Chinese version: Duet with Wang Leehom)
10/27/2004 - Kimi ni Aitakute
12/14/2004 - Juunigatsu no Love Song (Korean version)
01/26/2005 - Arittake no Ai de
04/27/2005 - Black Stone
05/25/2005 - Metmorphoze
08/10/2005 - Todokanai Ai to Shitteita no ni Osaekirezu ni Aishitsuzuketa...
01/25/2006 - Redemption
03/01/2006 - Love Letter
02/07/2007 - No ni Saku Hana no Youni
06/20/2007 - Returner ~Yami no Shuen~
Mini-albums:
05/12/1999 - Mizerable
Albums:
04/26/2000 - Mars
04/25/2001 - Rebirth
06/19/2002 - Moon
12/03/2003 - Crescent
02/25/2004 - The Sixth Day: Single Collection
05/26/2004 - The Seventh Night ~Unplugged~
02/14/2005 - Love Letter
06/15/2005 - Love Letter ~For Korean Dears~
09/21/2005 - Diabolos
12/13/2006 - Juunigatsu no Love Song ~Complete Box~
12/19/2007 - 0079-0088
Chronological Discography:
1st mini-album: 05/12/1999 - Mizerable
1st single: 07/09/1999 - Mizerable
2nd single: 08/11/1999 - Vanilla
3rd single: 11/03/1999 - Remix of Gackt
4th single: 02/09/2000 - Mirror
5th single: 02/16/2000 - Oasis
6th single: 03/08/2000 - Seki-ray
1st album: 04/26/2000 - Mars
7th single: 08/30/2000 - Saikai ~Story~
8th single: 11/06/2000 - Secret Garden
9th single: 03/14/2001 - Kimi no Tame ni Dekiru Koto
2nd album: 04/25/2001 - Rebirth
10th single: 06/05/2001 - Another World
11th single: 12/16/2001 - Juunigatsu no Love Song (Original Japanese version)
12th single: 03/20/2002 - Vanilla (re-release)
13th single: 04/24/2002 - Wasurenai Kara
3rd album: 06/19/2002 - Moon
14th single: 12/27/2002 - Juunigatsu no Love Song (English version)
15th single: 03/19/2003 - Kimi ga Oikakete Yume
16th single: 06/11/2003 - Tsuki no Uta
17th single: 06/25/2003 - Luna / Oasis
18th single: 11/12/2003 - Last Song
19th single: 12/03/2003 - Juunigatsu no Love Song (Chinese version: Duet with Wang Leehom)
4th album: 12/03/2003 - Crescent
1st compilation album: 02/25/2004 - The Sixth Day: Single Collection
1st acoustic album: 05/26/2004 - The Seventh Night ~Unplugged~
20th single: 10/27/2004 - Kimi ni Aitakute
21st single: 12/14/2004 - Juunigatsu no Love Song (Korean version)
22nd single: 01/26/2005 - Arittake no Ai de
5th album: 02/14/2005 - Love Letter
23rd single: 04/27/2005 - Black Stone
24th single: 05/25/2005 - Metmorphoze
1st Korean album: 06/15/2005 - Love Letter ~For Korean Dears~
25th single: 08/10/2005 - Todokanai Ai to Shitteita no ni Osaekirezu ni Aishitsuzuketa...
6th album: 09/21/2005 - Diabolos
26th single: 01/25/2006 - Redemption
27th single: 03/01/2006 - Love Letter
2nd compilation album: 12/13/2006 - Juunigatsu no Love Song ~Complete Box~
28th single: 02/07/2007 - No ni Saku Hana no Youni
29th single: 06/20/2007 - Returner ~Yami no Shuen~
7th album: 12/19/2007 - 0079-0088
Credits: Wikipedia, JaME
Ahhh Gackt. Yaknow, I used to be, like, in love with him. I don’t really understand why anymore. XD; I used to think he was hot and an amazing singer and had awesome music. Now I just think he’s old. XD; But. He is an extremely good musician; he has a great voice and can play a myriad of instruments. I’m afraid some of his more upbeat pop rock songs are all very very similar, so after a while it gets hard to distinguish them. However, he does have a tendency to write very beautiful lyrics and his songs really are often very good. I really like his acoustice songs. They’re so pretty, and they show off his great voice. =3
Mizerable
I’m sure you can hear the Malice Mizer influence in this song. XD; It’s his first solo single, so that’s totally understandable. Actually, I usually think it’s and MM song when I hear it. XD; Anyways I think this is a pretty good song, with a pretty catchy chorus, and the video is pretty Gackt-like. Haha.
Lyrics + Translations
Watch PV?
Vanilla
Omg this song. Lol. It’s VERRRRY poppy and ridiculously contagious. I mean, what is there not to love about this song? I’ve always loved the upbeat pop feel. It’s such a fun song. I recommend you listen! And Gackt dancing in the video is priceless. :] BTW, the lyrics are…really horny. XD; Hilarious.
Lyrics + Translation
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Secret Garden
This song is actually a really heartfelt song…the lyrics are very sad, and you can feel the despair of the song’s speaker. It’s really actually rather beautiful. Gackt powerfully utilizes his powerful voice to express the emotions of the song effectively and strikingly. I really recommend this song.
Lyrics + Translation
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12gastu no Love Song
Translated at “December Love Song” you can imagine that this is a Christmas ballad. And really, it is. This has ranked as one of my most favorite song. I think Gackt really does a wonderful job with it, and sings beautifully. I sort of don’t understand why the PV is filled with random white people doing random things. But I guess that the idea of peace and love is central to Christmas theory. So it’s kind of beautiful. :] Also, according to Youtubers, it was made in response to 9/11, which is even more beautiful. <3
Lyrics + Translation
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Another World
Ooooohhhhh a fast paced pop rock song. This is another of Gackt’s specialties. He can really created a great poppy sound with a lot of pep that anyone can love. I believe, this video is clips from his Moochild film. But I’m not too sure. But hey…it looks really cool. Lol. (I hate to admit it but Gackt really is a beautiful man. He looks really hot in this video with his floral shirt. XD; )
Lyrics + Translation
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Last Song
I love how Gackt always features non-Asians in his PVs. Lol. This song is very quiet in the verses and then becomes loud and powerful in the chorus. I can’t say I like this song all that much, but it’s another really powerful song that presents really strong emotions, and is really sad, from the video at least. I have to say, the acoustic version (which I uploaded for you instead) is much more beautiful. It’s a little softer in the transition and has more of an impact on me personally, but maybe that’s because I’ve heard it more. Regardless, I’m sure you’ll be moved by this video.
Lyrics + Translation
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Arittake no Ai de
This is one of Gackt’s best acoustic songs. Really, even though it’s ridiculously repetitive, no one really cares, because it’s just so upbeat, poppy, and fun. I just…love it! It’s on his Love Letter album, which I bought at an anime convention once. I really like that album. Anyways, I just love this song for some reason. Just….fun. =3 The video…wow. Lol. Reallllly weird. But hey whatever. We love weird Pvs. XD;
Lyrics + Translation
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Black Stone
More white people! OMG! Lol. Well anyways this is another pop rock song filled with explosive guitars and vocals. Well, it’s more of a rock song than really anything else I’ve put up yet. XD; But hey, it’s a pretty cool song, worth a listen once in a while. Though I REALLY don’t know what the hell he did with his hair. x_x;
Lyrics + Translation
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Redemption
Gackt has become a little more hard rock in recent years. This is another rock song that strays more towards alternative than pop rock, I think. This is the theme he did for the Final Fantasy VI video game Dirge of Cerebrus. I heard this song on TV and was like “OMG THAT’S GACKT!” (Kind of like when they were running the tourkorea.com commercials and Rain appeared at the end and I was like “OMG IT’S RAIN” lol. Anyways, I digress.) It’s pretty intense, and good as always. I’m running out of good things to say. Lol.
Lyrics + Translation
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Returner ~Yami no Shuen~
I haven’t actually heard this song before, it’s a first for me. So let’s see if I can do an objective analysis! 8D I like the traditional Japanese music opening and the samurai theme of the PV. Even Gackt is dressed up! (Yay 4 Malice Mizer influences~) This is kind of a typical Gackt song with it’s soft verses and then explosive chorus. I don’t really like the interlude…it’s kind of all over the place. But the rest of it is good, like a normal Gackt song. And I think Gackt enjoys pretending to kill people in the PV. Lol.
Lyrics + Translation
Watch PV?
Download:
Gackt - Mizerable
Gackt - Vanilla
Gackt - Secret Garden
Gackt - 12gatsu no Love Song
Gackt - Another World
Gackt - Last Song
Gackt - Arittake no Ai de ~LLV~
Gackt - Black Stone
Gackt - Redemption
Gackt - Returner ~Yami no Shuen~
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