Kai from Esprit D'Air joins legendary band The Sisters of Mercy as their guitarist alongside vocalist Andrew Eldritch, guitarist Ben Christo, and Chris Catalyst (standing in as Nurse to Doktor Avalanche).
Kai says:
"I am so grateful and happy to be given this opportunity. I already feel so welcome by the Sisters family and fans, and I look forward to all the shows ahead."
See below for all the tour dates.
2023 European Tour Dates
🇩🇪 14.10 - Würzburg, DE, Posthalle
🇩🇪 15.10 - Stuttgart, DE, LKA Longhorn
🇫🇷 17.10 - Lyon, FR, Le Transbordeur
🇫🇷 18.10 - Paris, FR, La Cigale
🇫🇷 20.10 - Bordeaux, FR, Krakatoa
🇫🇷 21.10 - Toulouse, FR, Le Bikini
🇪🇸 23.10 - Valencia, ES, Repvblicca
🇪🇸 24.10 - Madrid, ES, Sala Riviera
🇵🇹 26.10 - Lisboa, PT, LAV
🇵🇹 27.10 - Porto, PT, Hard Club
🇪🇸 29.10 - Bilbao, ES, Sala Santana
🇨🇭 31.10 - Geneva, CH, Salle de l'Alhambra
🇮🇹 02.11 - Milan, IT, Live Club
🇮🇹 03.11 - Casena, IT, Teatro Verdi
🇭🇷 05.11 - Zagreb, HR, Boogaloo
🇸🇰 06.11 - Bratislava, SK, Majestic Music Club
🇦🇹 08.11 - Vienna, AT, Gasometer
🇵🇱 11.11 - Łódź, PL, Soundedit Festival
🇩🇪 12.11 - Münster, DE, Jovel Music Hall
🇬🇧 15.11 - Bristol, UK, Marble Factory
🇬🇧 16.11 - Wolverhampton, UK, KK's Steel Mill
🇬🇧 18.11 - Newcastle upon Tyne, UK, O2 Academy
🇬🇧 19.11 - Nottingham, UK, Rock City
🇬🇧 21.11 - Manchester, UK, Manchester Academy
🇬🇧 23.11 - Glasgow, UK, Barrowlands
2024 European Tour Dates
🇩🇪 17.01 - Wiesbaden, DE, Schlachthof Wiesbaden
🇩🇪 18.01 - Berlin, DE, Columbiahalle
🇩🇪 21.01 - Cologne, DE, Carlswerk Victoria
🇫🇷 22.01 - Strasbourg, FR, La Laiterie
🇫🇷 24.01 - Lille, FR, Le Splendid
🇧🇪 25.01 - Gent, BE, De Vooruit
🇳🇱 27.01 - Groningen, NL, De Oosterpoort
🇳🇱 28.01 - Eindhoven, NL, Effenaar
🇧🇪 30.01 - Antwerpen, BE, TRIX
🇸🇰 12.06 - Bratislava, SK, Majestic Music Club
More dates TBA
'Grudge' is about struggling with the past, feeling lost in the present, but ultimately finding hope, transformation, and redemption through courage and love.
Stream it now on YouTube, Spotify & more.
]]>Kai’s vocal video cover of ‘The Trooper’ on TikTok gained attention from Iron Maiden’s Official account stating, “Great Cover [mindblown emoji]”, which inspired him to make it an official licensed release with Esprit D'Air. The release is accompanied by a music video filmed and edited by Charlie Smith of MindArtVisual, who produced all the music videos for KK's Priest.
Vocalist and guitarist Kai says:
Ben Christo is currently on a 40-date European tour with The Sisters of Mercy. Ben will also be joining Esprit D'Air as a special guest in Budapest on October 10th to perform ‘Dead Zone’, a song he co-wrote with Esprit D'Air.
Esprit D'Air’s cover of Iron Maiden’s ‘The Trooper’ featuring Tim “Ripper” Owens and Ben Christo is out now on all streaming platforms.
Oct 8: Kraków, Poland, Klub Zaścianek (Sold out)
Oct 10: Budapest, Hungary, Dürer Kert (Sold out)
Oct 12: Barcelona, Spain, La Nau (Sold out)
Feb 12: Bournemouth, UK, The Old Fire Station
Feb 13: Exeter, UK, Exeter Phoenix
Feb 14: Bristol, UK, Thekla
Feb 16: Swansea, UK, Hangar 18
Feb 18: Wolverhampton, UK, KK's Steel Mill
Feb 19: Sheffield, UK, Corporation
Feb 20: Manchester, UK, Academy 3
Feb 21: Liverpool, UK, O2 Academy2
Feb 23: Dublin, Ireland, The Grand Social (Sold out)
Feb 24: Belfast, UK, Oh Yeah Music Centre (Sold out)
Feb 26: Leeds, UK, The Warehouse
Feb 27: Glasgow, UK, The Garage
Feb 28: Newcastle, UK, Northumbria Uni S.U.
Feb 29: Nottingham, UK, Rescue Rooms
Mar 02: London, UK, The Garage
Mar 29: Heerlen, the Netherlands, Poppodium Nieuwe Nor
Mar 30: Hamburg, Germany, Headcrash (Sold out)
Mar 31: Köln, Germany, MTC (Sold out)
Apr 01: Antwerpen, Belgium, Kavka Oudaan
"We are humbled and elated by the love and support we have received from our Irish fans. We promise to deliver unforgettable performances and create lasting memories with all our fans who attend these concerts."
For fans who were unable to secure tickets to the sold-out shows, fans can join the waiting list on ticketing sites in case fans pull out.
To stay updated on all Esprit D'Air news and future tour announcements, follow the band on their official website and social media channels.
Links to Esprit D'Air concert tickets and waiting lists can be found here.
2023:
2024:
Photos by Tim Kuipers
Esprit D'Air is thrilled to announce the extension of their highly anticipated European tour. Adding to their already extensive list of dates, the band will now be performing in the Netherlands, Germany, and Belgium in the spring of 2024. This expansion of their tour is a response to the overwhelming demand from their loyal fanbase in these regions.
The newly added tour dates are as follows:
Esprit D'Air has gained international recognition for their energetic live performances. Their captivating stage presence and powerful sound have earned them a dedicated following around the world.
Lead vocalist and guitarist, Kai, expresses his excitement about the extended tour, saying, "We are thrilled to bring our music to the Netherlands, Germany, and Belgium. It has always been a dream of ours to connect with fans in continental Europe, and we can't wait to share our music and passion with them."
Esprit D'Air's tour promises to deliver an unforgettable experience for fans, showcasing a dynamic setlist featuring songs from their latest album, as well as crowd favorites from their extensive discography. With their relentless energy and powerful melodies, the band is set to create an electric atmosphere at each venue, leaving the audience craving for more.
Tickets for the newly added tour dates will go on sale starting July 7, 2023, at 10:00 AM local time. Fans are encouraged to secure their tickets early, as demand is expected to be high.
Esprit D'Air's European tour is already generating buzz among fans and music enthusiasts alike. With the inclusion of these additional dates in the Netherlands, Germany, and Belgium, the band is poised to make a lasting impression on audiences across Europe.
Alongside the Netherlands, Germany, and Belgium dates, Esprit D'Air will also be touring in other previously-announced European cities as part of their extensive tour. The full list includes:
2023:
2024:
For more information about Esprit D'Air's European tour, including ticket sales and updates, please visit their official website at www.espritdair.com.
]]>Photo by Tim Kuipers
Esprit D'Air is delighted to announce that tickets for their upcoming live performance at Dürer Kert in Budapest on October 10 have completely sold out.
Esprit D'Air's music, which combines elements of hard-hitting aggression, melodic vocals, and electronic synthesizers, has garnered attention from notable publications such as Billboard, HuffPost, Loudwire, BBC Radio, Kerrang!, and Louder. Their music appeals to a diverse audience and has earned praise from fans and industry insiders alike.
The band were recognized in 2018 when their debut album, Constellations, won the esteemed Best Metal Album award at The Independent Music Awards. The judging panel, which included influential musicians such as Slayer, Amy Lee (Evanescence), Sepultura, and more, commended Esprit D'Air's musical prowess and creativity.
In 2019, Esprit D'Air received a noteworthy nomination for Best Musical Act in NEO Magazine's competition sponsored by SEGA, further establishing their position as an exciting act in the music industry. Among the top five contenders, alongside respected acts like Crossfaith, BAND-MAID, The GazettE, and Mutant Monster, the band's recognition continued to grow.
Esprit D'Air's highly anticipated second album, Oceans, released in 2022, showcased their artistic growth and garnered critical acclaim. The album achieved success on the Official UK Charts in multiple categories, including the Top 40 Rock & Metal Albums, Album Downloads and the Top 20 Independent Albums Breakers. Collaborations with members of The Sisters of Mercy and Crystal Lake, as well as remixes by HEAVYGRINDER and Shirobon, added depth and variety to their musical repertoire.
Led by Kai, Esprit D'Air maintains a strong DIY ethos, emphasizing their creative independence and control. Kai, as the sole official member of the band, takes charge of recording and producing their music in his own home studio.
While Kai remains the sole official member of Esprit D'Air, the band enlists talented session musicians for their captivating live shows and tours including Jan-Vincent Velazco (Pendragon, Gus G) on drums, Takeshi on bass, and Yusuke on guitar. Following a successful 7-day UK tour in February 2023, supported by the Help Musicians charity, Esprit D'Air is embarking on an exciting European tour, captivating audiences in Poland, Hungary, Spain, the United Kingdom, and Ireland.
Esprit D'Air is humbled and grateful for the overwhelming support from their fans, resulting in a sold-out show at Dürer Kert in Budapest on October 10. The band is eagerly looking forward to delivering a memorable performance to their enthusiastic audience. Fans who were able to secure tickets can anticipate an exceptional evening of music and a truly remarkable experience.
For further information and updates, please visit Esprit D'Air's official website at www.espritdair.com.
Esprit D'Air is on Discord! This dynamic and thriving online community is the perfect destination for fans to gather, share their passion, and interact with like-minded individuals from around the world.
Esprit D'Air's Discord server serves as a virtual home for fans of the band. It provides a welcoming and inclusive space where music lovers can come together, forge new friendships, and celebrate the band's incredible sound. Whether you've been following the band since their debut or have recently discovered their music, this server offers a vibrant community that shares your enthusiasm.
One of the highlights of Esprit D'Air's Discord server is the opportunity to engage in meaningful discussions with fellow fans. From dissecting the band's latest album or single to sharing personal interpretations of lyrics, the server is a hub for in-depth conversations about Esprit D'Air's music. It's the perfect place to gain insights, exchange opinions, and discover new perspectives from a diverse range of fans.
As a member of Esprit D'Air's Discord server, you'll always be in the know about the band's latest news, releases, and upcoming events. Stay up to date with tour announcements, album teasers, and exclusive behind-the-scenes content. This server ensures that you won't miss a beat when it comes to Esprit D'Air's exciting journey.
Esprit D'Air's Discord server offers a unique opportunity to connect directly with the band members themselves. Interact with Kai, ask questions, and get a glimpse into their creative process. The server sometimes features exclusive content, including sneak peeks of upcoming music, and behind-the-scenes photos. It's an experience that truly brings fans closer to the heart of Esprit D'Air.
]]>Esprit D'Air is on Patreon! With their Patreon subscription, fans can directly contribute to the band's creative endeavors while gaining exclusive access to a treasure trove of unique content, behind-the-scenes insights, and unforgettable experiences. Joining Esprit D'Air's Patreon community is not only a way to support the band but also an immersive journey into their musical world.
Esprit D'Air's Patreon subscription provides a direct channel of communication between the band and their dedicated fanbase. By becoming a patron, you gain an exclusive backstage pass to the band's creative process, as they share updates, demos, and works-in-progress. Get a glimpse into the making of their music, gain insights into their inspirations, and witness the evolution of their sound firsthand. It's an opportunity to forge a deeper connection with the band and be a part of their artistic journey.
As a patron, you'll gain access to a treasure trove of exclusive content not available anywhere else. Delve into a curated selection of behind-the-scenes photos, videos, and studio recordings. Discover unreleased tracks, demos, and acoustic versions that showcase different facets of Esprit D'Air's musical prowess. The Patreon platform allows the band to share hidden gems and intimate moments, giving patrons an unparalleled experience and a deeper understanding of their music.
Esprit D'Air's Patreon subscription goes beyond exclusive content, offering patrons a chance to engage in interactive experiences and receive special rewards. Enjoy live Q&A sessions with the band members, participate in exclusive polls to shape the band's creative decisions, and even have your name featured in album credits. Depending on the subscription tier, you may also receive personalized messages, signed merchandise, and priority access to concerts and meet-and-greets. These rewards create a sense of belonging and appreciation, making patrons feel like an integral part of the Esprit D'Air family.
By subscribing to Esprit D'Air's Patreon, you are actively supporting independent music and enabling the band to continue creating and sharing their art with the world. In an industry dominated by mainstream acts, independent artists rely heavily on the support of their fans to sustain their careers. Your contribution helps Esprit D'Air maintain creative freedom, produce high-quality music, and embark on ambitious projects that resonate with their unique vision. With your support, the band can thrive and continue to inspire audiences worldwide.
Becoming a patron of Esprit D'Air is a straightforward process. Simply visit the band's Patreon page, browse through the available subscription tiers, and choose the one that aligns with your preferences and budget. Each tier offers its own set of benefits and rewards, ensuring there's an option for every fan. From there, you can embark on an exciting journey, gaining access to exclusive content, engaging with the band, and supporting their artistic endeavors.
Esprit D'Air's Patreon subscription is an incredible opportunity for fans to go beyond being listeners and become active participants in the band's artistic journey. By joining the Patreon community, you gain exclusive access to behind-the-scenes content, interactive experiences, and special rewards. Moreover, your subscription directly supports Esprit D'Air's independent music career, empowering them to continue creating their electrifying and soul-stirring music. So, don't miss out on this chance to unleash your support and immerse yourself in the extraordinary world of Esprit D'Air.
]]>W 2018 roku Esprit D’Air, na gali The Independent Music Awards w Nowym Yorku, zdobyło główną nagrodę "Best Metal Album” za krążek Constellations. W skład jury wchodzili muzycy takich zespołów jak: Slayer, Sepultura, Evanescence.
W 2022 roku ukazał się ich drugi krążek “Oceans”, który zadebiutował na 8 miejscu Top 40 Rock & Metal Albums oraz na 5 miejscu “Album Downloads”.
Bardzo ograniczona liczba biletów już dostępnych:
]]>Lead vocalist and producer Kai says:
“After our 7-date tour in the UK earlier this year, we felt like we had more to give and could do more. As soon as the last tour finished, I went ahead and booked an even bigger one. This time, I chose cities that bands sometimes forget, and we’re going to every country in the UK including Northern Ireland. 13 out of 18 are cities that we have never been in before. I will also be planning more European dates, wherever possible—so please wait for me!”
Esprit D’Air will be performing their album Oceans, which re-entered several Official UK Charts including #8 in Rock & Metal Albums, #5 in Album Downloads, and #19 in Scottish Albums earlier this year, plus more. The live line-up for the tour consists of Kai (Esprit D'Air), Jan-Vincent Velazco (Pendragon, Gus G) on drums, Takeshi on bass, and Yusuke on guitar.
Reformed in 2016, Esprit D'Air is a Japanese electronic rock/metal solo project led by vocalist, multi-instrumentalist, and producer, Kai. In 2018, Esprit D'Air won 'Best Metal Album' at The Independent Music Awards in New York, for the release of their debut album, Constellations, judged by an esteemed panel featuring Slayer, Amy Lee (Evanescence), Sepultura & more.
Kai is not seeking a major record label but instead, follows a strong DIY ethos and produces everything himself to be as self-sufficient as possible. Consequently, they record and produce their own releases in their own home recording studio, and books and promotes their own tours.
Esprit D'Air released their second album, Oceans in 2022, which included collaborations with members of the iconic gothic rock group The Sisters of Mercy and Japanese metalcore band Crystal Lake, plus remixes by Heavygrinder, and Shirobon. Oceans has received support and praise from Loudwire, Kerrang! Radio, as well as from members of Cradle of Filth, The Sisters of Mercy, Vallenfyre, and The Birthday Massacre.
Tickets for the Esprit D'Air tour will go on sale from Friday 31 March 2023 at 10am via www.espritdair.com with a pre-sale from Wednesday 19 March 2023 at 10am for Patreon subscribers and those on O2 Priority for the Liverpool show.
European Tour 2023:
UK & Ireland Tour 2024:
Links:
]]>About the track, Misstiq says:
“I’ve worked with many talented artists around the world, but Esprit D’Air… damn son. One of my absolute favourite collaborations
The new single is accompanied by an animated music video. The story-telling video features Kai as a modern nomad shinobi that roams a dystopian world overrun by mech drones, as well as a special appearance by Misstiq.
The new single 雫 (‘Shizuku’) is a re-recording of the first and only ‘J-Rock’ song on Harmonix’s Rock Band 3 for Xbox360 by Esprit D’Air. The original track returned to Rock Band earlier this year as a playable song on January 5th for PlayStation 4 and Xbox One, on Harmonix’s latest game Rock Band 4.
Currently, Kai is the only official member of Esprit D’Air since 2016, and appoints session musicians for live shows and tours. Esprit D’Air will be embarking on a 7-day UK tour in February 2023 supported by the Help Musicians charity, featuring Jan-Vincent Velazco (Pendragon, Gus G) on drums, Takeshi Tokunaga on bass, and Yusuke Okamoto and guitar. Joining the tour on main support for all dates excluding London are Diamond Black, fronted by Ben Christo from The Sisters of Mercy.
Kai says:
“Shizuku was the very first song I ever produced in 2010. I produced the instruments entirely, so I am really proud of giving the track new life in 2023 with Misstiq’s incredible additions on the synths.”
As featured on Loudwire, BBC Radio 1, Kerrang! Radio, and Billboard, Esprit D’Air released their 2nd album Oceans in 2022, which entered six Official UK Charts, including #8 in the Top 40 Rock & Metal Albums, and #5 in Top 20 Independent Albums Breakers. The new album featured members of both The Sisters of Mercy, and Crystal Lake, as well as remixes by HEAVYGRINDER and Shirobon.
Kai follows a strong DIY ethos and produces everything himself to be as self-sufficient as possible. Consequently, Kai records and produces his own releases in his own home recording studio.
The original ‘Shizuku’ is available to play on Rock Band 4 for PlayStation 4 and Xbox One. Download it here.
2023 UK Tour Dates:
17 Feb: CARDIFF, The Globe
19 Feb: YORK, The Fulford Arms (SOLD OUT)
20 Feb: NEWCASTLE, The Cluny
21 Feb: EDINBURGH, La Belle Angele
22 Feb: MANCHESTER, Academy 3
23 Feb: BIRMINGHAM, O2 Academy 3
25 Feb: LONDON, The Black Heart (SOLD OUT)
Get tickets here.
The song, originally released in 2012, will be available as an add-on available to purchase from the official PlayStation and Microsoft stores.
'Shizuku' was the first Japanese song available to download from the 'J-Rock' category in the videogame Rock Band™ 3 for Xbox360 in 2013 alongside Dir en grey. Due to popular demand, the track will now be releasing on Rock Band™ 4.
To coincide with the release, Esprit D'Air is also releasing a re-recording of 'Shizuku' in February 2023 to commemorate its 10th anniversary, with help from a fundraising campaign to create an animated music video, which ends on January 10th, 2023.
In 2022, Esprit D'Air released their 2nd album Oceans, which entered six Official UK Charts, including #8 in the Top 40 Rock & Metal Albums, and #5 in Top 20 Independent Albums Breakers. The new album featured members of both The Sisters of Mercy, and Crystal Lake, as well as remixes by HEAVYGRINDER and Shirobon.
Kai is not seeking a major record label but instead, follows a strong DIY ethos and produces everything himself to be as self-sufficient as possible. Consequently, Kai records and produces his own releases in his own home recording studio.
Currently, Kai is the only official member of Esprit D'Air, and appoints session musicians for live shows and tours. Esprit D'Air will be embarking on a 7-day UK tour in February 2023 supported by the Help Musicians charity.
The original 'Shizuku' will be available to play on Rock Band™ 4 for PlayStation 4 and Xbox One from January 5th, 2023. Download it here.
2023 UK Tour Dates:
17 Feb: The Globe, Cardiff
19 Feb: The Fulford Arms, York
20 Feb: The Cluny, Newcastle
21 Feb: La Belle Angele, Edinburgh
22 Feb: Manchester Academy 3, Manchester
23 Feb: O2 Academy3, Birmingham
25 Feb: The Black Heart, London (Patreon-only show)
“Gargantuan, taking electronic-sounding elements and just layering it over some of the best guitar riffs I’ve heard in a minute.” – Nels Hylton, BBC Radio 1
]]>© Photo by Allan Maxwell
UPDATE: This show is now SOLD OUT, but you can still watch the livestream of the show if you an active member of our Patreon at the time of the show!
We'll be doing a free show for our Patreon subscribers, limited to 150 ticketholders.
The free ticket includes a meet and greet and live show on Saturday 25th February 2023 at The Black Heart in Camden, London.
How to access the show:
*Please note, this is an 18+ event and is subject to availability.
Being a Patreon member also allows you access to unreleased music, demos, work-in-progress material, updates from Kai, guitar tablature, behind-the-scenes, and much more!
Click here to find out more about becoming a Patreon member
These tickets will be gone in no time, so snap them up quick.
See you in February!
Got a question? Email us here or ask the community on Discord.
© Photo by Tim Kuipers
Japanese metal band Esprit D'Air re-enters the Official Charts this week following their successful self-promoted tour of the UK in London, Newcastle, Glasgow, and Manchester.
Esprit D'Air recently released their second album, Oceans nearly six months ago on 18 February, which included collaborations with members of the iconic gothic rock group The Sisters of Mercy and Japanese metalcore band Crystal Lake, plus remixes by Heavygrinder, and Shirobon. The new album Oceans is receiving support and praise from Loudwire, Kerrang! Radio, as well as from members of Cradle of Filth, The Sisters of Mercy, and The Birthday Massacre.
At the time of release, the album peaked at #13 in the Rock and Metal Albums Chart, but has returned to the charts at #8 this week. Other chart positions this week include #5 in Independent Albums Breakers, #27 in Independent Albums, #58 in Scottish Albums & more.
The live line-up for the tour consisted of Kai (Esprit D'Air), Jan-Vincent Velazco (Pendragon, Gus G) on drums, Takeshi Tokunaga (producer of BABYMETAL) on bass, and Yusuke Okamoto on guitar.
Reformed in 2016, Esprit D'Air is a Japanese electronic rock/metal solo project led by vocalist, multi-instrumentalist, and producer, Kai. In 2018, Esprit D'Air won 'Best Metal Album' at The Independent Music Awards in New York, for the release of their debut album, Constellations, judged by an esteemed panel featuring Slayer, Amy Lee (Evanescence), Sepultura & more.
Kai is not seeking a major record label but instead, follows a strong DIY ethos and produces everything himself to be as self-sufficient as possible. Consequently, they record and produce their own releases in their own home recording studio.
Kai adds:
“The Oceans album took almost four years to create. My laptop containing all of my work-in-progress was stolen in 2019 and I had to start all over again from 2020. In the past two years, I worked hard and collaborated with awesome people to finish the album and we also have our fans to thank for crowdfunding it.”
Kai will also join Steevi Jaimz (original vocalist for Tigertailz) for a one-off show on guitar at the 229 in London on 15 October alongside Robin Guy (Sham 69, Bruce Dickinson) on drums and Rob Lane (BulletBoys) on bass, celebrating the 35th anniversary release of Tigertailz’s debut album Young and Crazy.It will soon be six months since we released our sophomore album, Oceans. Back in February 2022, the album entered four Official UK Charts, including #13 in Rock and Metal Albums, #7 in Independent Albums Breakers, #30 in Album Downloads, and #38 in Independent Albums.
Once again, we're going to go up against the major labels for the UK chart positions and we think we actually stand a good chance.
Since our album came out, our fanbase grew larger and stronger. Maybe we can get to #1?
Below are some ways you can help us secure our chart positions!
The charting week we are aiming for is between Friday 29 July (00:00) until Thursday 4 August (23:59), so make sure you purchase and download your copies during this timeframe.
Chart positions of that week will be announced on Friday 5 August.
Digital copies also count towards the official charts, but make sure you download the album after you purchase it, or else it won't count!
We will make the digital album available for £3.75 on our website and on Bandcamp for the charting week! You can also purchase physical merch bundles too to help!
Purchasing the CD from a retail store counts as an additional sale in the charts. You can visit your local hmv to purchase our album, or purchase from the following online retail stores here:
We'll be going on tour this summer and all record sales will be reported to the Official Charts Company. Here are our tour dates:
You can get tickets for the shows here.
Our Oceans Collection merchandise items are bundled with the digital download of Oceans. Purchase any item from the collection to contribute a sale to the charts. Please make sure you download your purchase too, so it correctly reports to the charts!
Streaming the album also helps. However it is the least effective way as 1,000 streams is the equivalent of one album purchase (which means listening to the album a total of 50 times).
According to the Official Charts Company, the services contributing to the charts span Spotify, Deezer, Napster, O2 Tracks (Musicqubed), rara, Rdio, Blinkbox Music and XBox Music. Video streams currently do not count towards the Official Charts.
Share this article with your friends and on socials and let's team up together!
]]>The live line-up for the tour consists of Kai (Esprit D'Air), Jan-Vincent Velazco (Pendragon, Gus G) on drums, Takeshi Tokunaga (producer of BABYMETAL) on bass, and Yusuke Okamoto on guitar.
From recently headlining the O2 Academy Islington with their album launch party, Esprit D'Air is kicking off their Oceans tour at London’s Amplified Festival on 30 July, alongside special guests Tigress, Daxx & Roxane, RXPTRS, Tokyo Taboo, Light Wave, Giant Walker & Circus 66. On 31 July, they are returning to Newcastle upon Tyne with Pretty Addicted on support; Glasgow on 1 August with Pretty Addicted and Ocean Tides, and ending the tour in Manchester on 2 August with Nebulesse on support.
Reformed in 2016, Esprit D'Air is a Japanese electronic rock/metal solo project led by vocalist, multi-instrumentalist, and producer, Kai. In 2018, Esprit D'Air won 'Best Metal Album' at The Independent Music Awards in New York, for the release of their debut album, Constellations, judged by an esteemed panel featuring Slayer, Amy Lee (Evanescence), Sepultura & more.
Kai is not seeking a major record label but instead, follows a strong DIY ethos and produces everything himself to be as self-sufficient as possible. Consequently, they record and produce their own releases in their own home recording studio.
Lead vocalist and producer Kai says:
“I am really excited to be returning to some of my favourite cities in the UK. Apart from the London festival date, it is a self-promoted tour and it is awesome to see the ticket sales are going really well and that we’re going to be playing to amazing crowds.”
Esprit D'Air recently released their second album, Oceans on 18 February, which included collaborations with members of the iconic gothic rock group The Sisters of Mercy and Japanese metalcore band Crystal Lake, plus remixes by Heavygrinder, and Shirobon. The new album Oceans is receiving support and praise from Loudwire, Kerrang! Radio, as well as from members of Cradle of Filth, The Sisters of Mercy, and The Birthday Massacre.
Kai adds:
“The Oceans album took almost four years to create. My laptop containing all of my work-in-progress was stolen in 2019 and I had to start all over again from 2020. In the past two years, I worked hard and collaborated with awesome people to finish the album and we also have our fans to thank for crowdfunding it. I have a good feeling that it will re-enter the UK official charts on the week of our tour.”
Kai will also join Steevi Jaimz (original vocalist for Tigertailz) for a one-off show on guitar at the 229 in London on 15 October alongside Robin Guy (Sham 69, Bruce Dickinson) on drums and Rob Lane (BulletBoys) on bass, celebrating the 35th anniversary release of Tigertailz’s debut album Young and Crazy.
The last remaining tickets for the Esprit D’Air tour are available to be purchased on DICE and SeeTickets.
Oceans UK Tour 2022:
The new Esprit D'Air Discord server is now open for fans to join! Moderated by fans for fans.
Chat with like-minded fans about the band and other interests in music, art, gaming and more. We created this space so that fans can get to know each other outside of concerts!
We also have dedicated channels in the Discord server for upcoming concerts. Members can plan group meet-ups before/after the concerts and you can also mark yourself as "Interested" in the Events section, too!
"Fan Picks" is a monthly Spotify playlist curated by YOU! It is updated at the end of every month and you can submit your favorite songs in the Discord channel #fanpicks.
You're invited! Click here to join the official Esprit D'Air Discord server.
If you are subscribed as a Patreon member, you can also access the exclusive #patreon-chat and #ask-kai channels.
]]>New Chibi Kai sticker emoji sheets are now available to pre-order and available to use on our Discord server.
These special Kai emojis and stickers can be found and used on our Discord channel where like-minded fans can hang out and talk about Esprit D'Air as well as other similar interests.
Designed by Andrew Ley, the product is limited to just 100 sticker sheets and be pre-ordered here.
Special thanks to Alex, Andrew, Anna, Ashley, Brenda, Bronte, Cece, Cheryl, Dianne, Famke, Helen, Kerry, Laura, Luke, Nox, Paul, Psygrr, Rowan, Sabrina, Sandy, Sarah (our moderator!), Sayuki, Steve, and Zoe for making this a reality!
]]>Speaking on today's release, Kai shares:
"'Dead Zone' is definitely one of the darkest tracks I have ever produced, but it also has some big chorus moments. I couldn't have picked anybody better than Ben to do this track with. He showed so much enthusiasm for it whilst also delivering meaningful and deep lyrics. I created the music with him in mind."
Ben Christo commented:
"As soon as I heard Kai’s cinematic soundscape for this track, I was inspired. The brooding yet majestic atmosphere conjured a wealth of vivid imagery, and thus melodies rapidly formed in my mind. The chorus vocal line you’ll hear is actually the very first one I came up with and despite experimenting with other ideas, I kept returning to this. It just felt ‘right’.
Browsing for words and phrases to align with the ‘Oceans’ album's nautical theme, the term ‘dead zone’ caught my attention, given its evocative definition: “Hypoxic, low-oxygen areas where few organisms can survive.” This gave me a potentially rich metaphor with which to work, and an abundance of lyrical ideas began to take shape. The finished lyric asks: are you trapped in an alluring yet deadly space of your own making and can you access the strength within you to break free? The words draw deeply on my own, very recent experiences."
Cradle of Filth's Richard Shaw also stated:
"Catchy and atmospheric, with incredible vocals and an otherworldly guitar solo. What a song!”
Prior to today's release, the band shared a stunningly remastered music video "Leviathan 2.0 (Enhanced Edition)" and visual accompaniment for "The Abyss" (featuring Ryo Kinoshita from Crystal Lake).
Watch the lyric video for "Dead Zone" here or at the link below, and stream 'Oceans' here.
Reformed in 2016, Esprit D'Air is a Japanese electronic rock/metal solo project led by vocalist, multi-instrumentalist, and producer, Kai. As featured on Loudwire, HuffPost, BBC Radio, Kerrang! & Louder, their sound is unique and fresh, bringing together hard-hitting aggression with melodic vocals and electronic synthesizers. In 2018, Esprit D'Air won 'Best Metal Album' at The Independent Music Awards in New York, for the release of their debut album, Constellations, judged by an esteemed panel featuring Slayer, Amy Lee (Evanescence), Sepultura & more.
Kai is not seeking a major record label but instead, follows a strong DIY ethos and produces everything himself to be as self-sufficient as possible. Consequently, they record and produce their own releases in their own home recording studio. In late 2020, Esprit D'Air released their single, "Leviathan", receiving support and praise from Loudwire, Kerrang! Radio, as well as members of The Sisters of Mercy, and The Birthday Massacre. In 2021, Esprit D'Air committed to releasing new material every six weeks made possible via their fans on Patreon. Esprit D'Air recently released their second album, 'Oceans' on February 18th, 2022, including collaborations with members of the iconic gothic rock group The Sisters of Mercy and Japanese metalcore band Crystal Lake, plus remixes by Heavygrinder, and Shirobon.
Upcoming tour dates:
We'll be headlining Amplified Festival in London and touring the rest of the UK this summer! Here are the tour dates:
Track Listing:
Reformed in 2016, Esprit D'Air is a Japanese electronic rock/metal solo project led by vocalist, multi-instrumentalist, and producer, Kai. As featured on Loudwire, HuffPost, BBC Radio, Kerrang! & Louder, their sound is unique and fresh, bringing together hard-hitting aggression with melodic vocals and electronic synthesizers. In 2018, Esprit D'Air won 'Best Metal Album' at The Independent Music Awards in New York, for the release of their debut album, Constellations, judged by an esteemed panel featuring Slayer, Amy Lee (Evanescence), Sepultura & more.
Kai is not seeking a major record label but instead, follows a strong DIY ethos and produces everything himself to be as self-sufficient as possible. Consequently, they record and produce their own releases in their own home recording studio. In late 2020, Esprit D'Air released their single, "Leviathan", receiving support and praise from Loudwire, Kerrang! Radio, as well as members of The Sisters of Mercy, and The Birthday Massacre. In 2021, Esprit D'Air committed to releasing new material every six weeks made possible via their fans on Patreon. Esprit D'Air will release their 2nd album, 'Oceans' on February 18th, 2022, collaborating with members of the iconic gothic rock group The Sisters of Mercy and Japanese metalcore band Crystal Lake, plus remixes by Heavygrinder, and Shirobon.
London-based Japanese electronic metal artist Esprit D'Air has today released their latest single and visual accompaniment for "The Abyss" featuring Ryo Kinoshita of Crystal Lake. The track is taken from their upcoming album 'Oceans', which will be out on Friday, February 18, and additionally features appearances by Ben Christo from gothic rock legends The Sisters Of Mercy and remixes by Heavygrinder and Shirobon. Speaking on "The Abyss", Kai shared:
“Working with Ryo was incredibly exciting. I love his powerful vocals and what he does in his band Crystal Lake, so it is truly an honor to have him on my album."
Prior to today's release, the band previously dropped the gorgeously thrilling music video for fan-favorite track, "Leviathan". Watch the lyric video for "The Abyss" here, and pre-order 'Oceans' here.
Reformed in 2016, Esprit D'Air is a Japanese electronic rock/metal solo project led by vocalist, multi-instrumentalist, and producer, Kai. As featured on Loudwire, HuffPost, BBC Radio, Kerrang! & Louder, their sound is unique and fresh, bringing together hard-hitting aggression with melodic vocals and electronic synthesizers. In 2018, Esprit D'Air won 'Best Metal Album' at The Independent Music Awards in New York, for the release of their debut album, Constellations, judged by an esteemed panel featuring Slayer, Amy Lee (Evanescence), Sepultura & more.
Kai is not seeking a major record label but instead, follows a strong DIY ethos and produces everything himself to be as self-sufficient as possible. Consequently, they record and produce their own releases in their own home recording studio. In late 2020, Esprit D'Air released their single, "Leviathan", receiving support and praise from Loudwire, Kerrang! Radio, as well as members of The Sisters of Mercy, and The Birthday Massacre. In 2021, Esprit D'Air committed to releasing new material every six weeks made possible via their fans on Patreon. Esprit D'Air will release their 2nd album, 'Oceans' on February 18th, 2022, collaborating with members of the iconic gothic rock group The Sisters of Mercy and Japanese metalcore band Crystal Lake, plus remixes by Heavygrinder, and Shirobon.
A preview of all tracks off Esprit D'Air's upcoming album Oceans.
Available February 18th, 2022 on Starstorm Records.
Pre-order and pre-save "Oceans" here
Tracklisting:
Want to get the brand new album Oceans by Esprit D'Air on CD? Below are a list of online stores you can pre-order the new album from, sorted by country.
Hungary
Italy
Vocalist Kai says:
“I feel that ‘Guiding Light’ is more relevant now than it was four years ago. It’s a song about having hope. When our mental health beats us down again, and again, the guiding light serves as a reminder to live by today to create a better tomorrow. We all have a guiding light inside us to keep going. This is a song about not giving up!”
‘Guiding Light’ is from Esprit D'Air’s critically-acclaimed debut album Constellations. The album won 'Best Metal Album' in 2018 at The Independent Music Awards at the Lincoln Center, New York, among an esteemed judging panel featuring Amy Lee (Evanescence), Slayer, Sepultura, Tom Waits, and more.
As featured on Loudwire, Billboard, Louder & HuffPost, Esprit D'Air is keeping busy during the pandemic by releasing a new single every six weeks funded by their fans on the membership platform Patreon. The new single ‘Guiding Light - Reimagined’ is out now on Apple Music, Spotify, iTunes and more.
]]>‘Guiding Light’ is from Esprit D'Air’s critically-acclaimed debut album Constellations. The album won 'Best Metal Album' in 2018 at The Independent Music Awards at the Lincoln Center, New York, among an esteemed judging panel featuring Amy Lee (Evanescence), Slayer, Sepultura, Tom Waits, and more.
As featured on Loudwire, Billboard, Louder & HuffPost, Esprit D'Air is keeping busy during the pandemic by releasing a new single every six weeks funded by their fans on the membership platform Patreon. The new single ‘Guiding Light - Reimagined’ is out now on Apple Music, Spotify, iTunes and more. For more information, visit www.espritdair.com.
New releases are made possible through the Patreon membership platform. If you want to support Esprit D'Air in their journey to release new music every six weeks, please consider joining the Patreon for exclusive behind-the-scenes content, early access to releases, signed merchandise and more.
Click here to join from $6.50 a month
Set a reminder on YouTube for the premiere:
The cinematic new song 'Glaciers' features a blend of both heavy and clean guitars, a choir containing 66 voices sung by lead singer Kai, drums provided by Jan-Vincent Velazco (from neo-progressive rock band Pendragon), and bass guitar by Takeshi Tokunaga (formerly of Japanese power metal band, 'Knights of Round').
A preview of the single can be found on the Patreon page.
Esprit D'Air is keeping busy during the pandemic by releasing a new single every six weeks funded by their fans on the membership platform Patreon. The new single 'Glaciers' is out on Apple Music, Spotify, iTunes from June 11th, 2021.
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