Japanese pop culture website Real Sound credited Malice Mizer as the first visual kei band to incorporate European aesthetics into heavy metal with the twin guitars in "Bel Air (Kūhaku no Toki no Naka de)".

[3] In 1998, the band played live at the Nippon Budokan which involved a large building as a stage prop and elaborate theatrics; each member performing a skit with another on their own (including a skit in which Gackt fell to the stage to sing the song "Le Ciel", and returned to "Heaven" by song's [and concert's] end).

In July 1998, the band held their last live performance with Gackt at the Yokohama Arena, prior to the announcement of his departure in January 1999.

But the band continued to exist, as Kami was replaced by a non-official, supporting member, and new vocalist Klaha was recruited.

Merveilles in March 1998 and its single "Gekka no Yasōkyoku" in July 1998 were certified Gold by the RIAJ for sales of over 200,000 copies.

He wrote that with it, Malice Mizer embraced "antiquated piano and violin fanfare, resulting in symphonic ballads and avant-garde pomp heavier than anything on the airwaves at the time.