Mizérable (EP)

Mizérable
EP by Gackt
Released	May 12, 1999
Recorded	1999 (Recording Studio) NRG Recording Stagg Street st. Skip Saylor Sound Chamber Groovin'Art st.
Genre	Art rock
Length	20:16
Label	Nippon Crown
Producer	Gackt
Gackt chronology
Mizérable (1999) Mars (2000)
Singles from Mizerable
"Mizerable" Released: July 9, 1999

"Mizérable" is the debut mini album of Japanese singer-songwriter Gackt, released on May 12, 1999 by Nippon Crown. It marked his solo debut, four months after he left Malice Mizer. The song "Mizerable" and a re-recording of "Story" (titled "Saikai ~Story~") were later released as singles.

After leaving the band, with already a good deal of large audience for an independent artist, the album did receive a good response and managed to enter the Japanese official album chart, on the 2nd position.

Background and release

In 1999, the 26 year old Gackt was living in Tokyo, and trying to set up his solo project. He was joined by his fellow Cains:Feel members, You Kurosaki who became the rhythmic guitarist and violinist and Ren Aoba who became the bassist of his live supporting band, also the others not-known members. Of them only Masa Shinozaki continued to be part of the support band. In February, Gackt travelled in Los Angeles, U.S. and France, to complete recording and filming.^[1]

In April 1999, he held his first performance in 10 months called Gackt Easter Live - Resurrection, which was held in the Omiya Arche. It was a small event where he performed the song "Mizerable" live for the first time, as well talked with fans and announced the upcoming national tour.

The song "Mizerable" being the title song from the mini-album, was released one month later. This was first released as a single box containing a mini CD with the song and instrumental track, along VHS of the title song's promotional video and making of. Also nine days later a mini CD single version was released, containing no VHS. Also the song "Story" was re-recorded and released as a single titled "Saikai ~Story~" on August 30, 2000. The both songs were included on the 2004 compilation, The Sixth Day: Single Collection.

Reception

Commercial performance

The mini album managed to break into the Oricon, official chart in the Japan. Peaking at number two and charted for a total of 12 weeks, since its release, the album has sold more than 210,000 copies. The single box of the song "Mizerable" Peaked at the number three and charted for a total of nine weeks, since its release, the single has sold around 116,771 copies.

Track listing

All lyrics written by Gackt C., all music composed by Gackt C. (except "M-2" with Yohei Shimada).

No.	Title	Length
1.	"Mizerable"	4:56
2.	"Story"	5:38
3.	"Leeca"	5:38
4.	"Lapis ~Prologue~"	4:02

Album credits

Personnel Vocals: Gackt Camui Guitars: You Kurosaki, Hideki Ekawa, Masa Shinozaki, Ren Aoba, Nao Bass: Ren Aoba, Chuck Wright Drums: Matt Sorum, Gackt Camui Piano: Gackt Camui Violin solo: Bruce Dukov Cello solo: Dennis Karamazyan Keyboards: Yohei Shimada, Gackt Camui Voice over: Val'erie Blier

Production Producer: Gackt Executive Producer: Atsushi Takeshi, Masami Kudo (Nippon Crown) Engineer: Stan Katayama, Tetsuo Mori, Hiroto Kobayashi, John Aguto, Brian Kinkel String Engineer: Nicholas Pike Mixing: Stan Katayama Programming: Takashi Furukawa, Yohei Shimada Management: A and Y Japan Design Art Direction: Yoichirou Fujii (Bakery37.1) Design: Maki Yoshikawa, Keiko Shimamura (Bakery37.1) Photography: William Hames, Bruce Ecker

References

1. ^ Gackt, Camui (2003). Jihaku: Gackt. 光文社 ( Kobunsha). ISBN 4-3349-7412-0.