Malice Mizer, a Japanese rock band formed in Tokyo on August 1992, was founded by guitarists Mana and Közi. The group's name translates to "malice and misery," reflecting their philosophical stance on humanity. Their early music blended rock gothic, classical influences, and French pop. Malice Mizer's debut concert took place at Meguro Rock-may-kan in August 1992, where they distributed a demo tape titled "Sans Logique". The band's first album, Memoire, was released on July 24, 1994, under Mana's label Midi:Nette. This period saw significant lineup changes, including the departure of original vocalist Tetsu in December 1994 and the addition of Gackt as the new lead singer in 1995. Malice Mizer gained recognition for their elaborate stage performances and theatrical elements, often featuring historical costumes and dramatic set designs. Their subsequent albums included Voyage Sans Retour (1996), Merveilles (1998), and 薔薇の聖堂 (2000). Notable singles from this era include "Au Revoir" (1997) and "虚無の中での遊戯" (2000). The band released, "Garnet" in November 2001 and the band announced an indefinite hiatus in December that year.