Japanese Heavy Metal Musical Groups Codexery

Esprit D'Air

Japanese/British alternative metal band led by Kai.

Kai, who currently plays guitar for the Sisters of Mercy, serves as the band's leader and frontman.[1]

Quick Facts

Origin
London, England
Genre
  • Alternative metal
  • electronicore
  • gothic metal
  • progressive metal
Years active
2010–2013 (as a group), 2016–present (as a solo project)
Label
Starstorm
Current members
  • Kai
  • Yusuke Okamoto
  • Takeshi Tokunaga
  • Jan-Vincent Velazco
Past members
  • Ellis
  • Yoshisuke Suga
  • Daishi
  • Yuki
  • Coma
  • Tatsuya Nashimoto (Hakuren)

Facts from the source article.

Making and release

In early 2013, Shizuku became the first playable Japanese-language track on Rock Band 3.[2] In March 2016, Esprit D'Air reunited for a one-off charity show as a three-piece with Kai on vocals.[3] In June 2016, Esprit D'Air officially announced their return with Kai taking over lead vocals.[4] Their debut album Constellations was released in 2017 and won "Best Metal Album" at the Independent Music Awards.[5]

Five members—Yosh, Kai, Ellis, Yuki, and Daishi—constituted the original lineup when Esprit D'Air debuted in May 2010 after meeting at a London concert.[6] An EP titled 'Deai', which translates roughly to 'encounter', was the first release from Esprit D'Air in October 2010; its three tracks were cut at Sarm East Studios on Brick Lane in London.[6][7] The single "The Hunter" came out in February 2012, and to launch it, Esprit D'Air put on two headline concerts at Nambucca in London and La Farga in Barcelona.[8] June 2012 saw the release of "Shizuku" by Esprit D'Air, who made the track available as a free download for a restricted period.[9]

Vocalist Yosh departed from the band in early 2013 for personal reasons, and later that year Esprit D'Air declared an indefinite hiatus.[10] The second album, Oceans, was issued in February 2022 and subsequently charted in four different UK Official Charts categories.[11]

What the cited sources add

The single "Nebulae" was produced by Kai and Sougo Akiyoshi and mixed by Paul Visser.[12] Since the 2016 reformation, Esprit D'Air is a solo project with Kai as the sole official member.[13][14] Kai follows a strong DIY ethos and produces everything himself without a record label or management.[14] The band's biography states that Esprit D'Air defies genres, blending soaring melodies and futuristic soundscapes.[14]

At the Independent Music Awards in 2018, Esprit D'Air took home the prize for "Best Metal or Hardcore Album."[15][16] Amy Lee from Evanescence, along with members of Slayer and Sepultura, made up the judging panel for that award.[15][16]

References

  1. Wikipedia, "Esprit D'Air" (CC BY-SA 4.0), which cites: Official Charts Company. 'Rock & Metal Albums Chart: 14 November 2025'. Retrieved from https://www.officialcharts.com/charts/rock-and-metal-albums-chart/2025111 (original not read by us) en.wikipedia.org
  2. Wikipedia, "Esprit D'Air" (CC BY-SA 4.0), which cites: "Esprit D'Air: First Japanese Language Track to Feature in Rock Band 3 – Japan Underground – JPU Records Ltd.", Japan Underground – JPU Records Ltd., 24 July 2012 (original not read by us) en.wikipedia.org
  3. Wikipedia, "Esprit D'Air" (CC BY-SA 4.0), which cites: "MCM BUZZ – Movies, TV, Comics, Gaming, Anime, Cosplay News & Reviews » Esprit D'Air to headline Origami: A Charity Gig", MCM BUZZ – Movies, TV, Comics, Gaming, Anime, Cosplay News & Reviews; "Live music and Japanese food for a great cause!", Kakkoii Club; edohsama, "Report on Esprit D'Air at the Pipeline, London", SR : JRock News (original not read by us) en.wikipedia.org
  4. Wikipedia, "Esprit D'Air" (CC BY-SA 4.0), which cites: Heavy, "Esprit D'Air Shines A Beacon Of Light With New Single", Heavy Magazine, 23 July 2021; edohsama, "Esprit D'Air Returns: Revealing New Line-up and Shows", SR : JROCK NEWS (we also read that source) en.wikipedia.org
  5. Wikipedia, "Esprit D'Air" (CC BY-SA 4.0), which cites: "Esprit D'Air Wins Best Metal/Hardcore Album at The Independent Music Awards", Original Rock, 4 April 2018 (original not read by us) en.wikipedia.org
  6. Wikipedia, "Esprit D'Air" (CC BY-SA 4.0), which cites: "MCM BUZZ – Movies, TV, Comics, Gaming, Anime, Cosplay News & Reviews » Two Years Of Esprit D'Air", MCM BUZZ – Movies, TV, Comics, Gaming, Anime, Cosplay News & Reviews; "Members", Esprit D'Air (original not read by us) en.wikipedia.org
  7. Wikipedia, "Esprit D'Air" (CC BY-SA 4.0), which cites: "Kaito, Guitarist of Esprit D'Air (London, UK) – The City I See", The City I See, 23 November 2011 (original not read by us) en.wikipedia.org
  8. Wikipedia, "Esprit D'Air" (CC BY-SA 4.0), which cites: "MCM BUZZ – Movies, TV, Comics, Gaming, Anime, Cosplay News & Reviews » Esprit D'Air Launch New Single", MCM BUZZ – Movies, TV, Comics, Gaming, Anime, Cosplay News & Reviews; "Esprit D'Air: 'The Hunter' Launch Party – Japan Underground – JPU Records Ltd.", Japan Underground – JPU Records Ltd., 5 March 2012; "Esprit D'Air — Official Website - エスプリ デア", Esprit D'Air (original not read by us) en.wikipedia.org
  9. Wikipedia, "Esprit D'Air" (CC BY-SA 4.0), which cites: "Esprit D'Air Offer Free Download of Upcoming Single – Japan Underground – JPU Records Ltd.", Japan Underground – JPU Records Ltd., 21 June 2012 (original not read by us) en.wikipedia.org
  10. Wikipedia, "Esprit D'Air" (CC BY-SA 4.0), which cites: "Important Announcement: Indefinite Hiatus", Esprit D'Air; edohsama, "Vocalist Yosh Departs from Esprit D'Air – New Lineup to be Announced Soon — SR : JRock News", SR : JRock News}}{{dead link, December 2019 (original not read by us) en.wikipedia.org
  11. Wikipedia, "Esprit D'Air" (CC BY-SA 4.0), which cites: "Esprit D'Air songs and albums full Official Chart history", Official Charts Company; Loudwire Staff, "2022 Hard Rock + Metal Album Release Calendar", Loudwire; Daniel Cordova, "The Weekly Injection: New Releases From Immolation, Matt Pike & More Out Today 2/18", Metal Injection; Corinne Westbrook, "New Flesh: New Releases from Brick by Brick, Immolation and more!", Knotfest (original not read by us) en.wikipedia.org
  12. Tokyo Hive Staff, "London-based J-rock band Esprit D'Air releases new single, 'Nebulae'", TokyoHive. facts only, no text reused. tokyohive.com
  13. Heavy, "Esprit D'Air Shines A Beacon Of Light With New Single", Heavy Magazine, 23 July 2021. facts only, no text reused. heavymag.com.au
  14. "Esprit D'Air – Biography", Esprit D'Air. facts only, no text reused. espritdair.com
  15. Francisca Hagen, "Esprit D'Air extend Constellations Tour with European Tour", AVO Magazine. facts only, no text reused. avo-magazine.com
  16. Wikipedia, "Esprit D'Air" (CC BY-SA 4.0), which cites: Francisca Hagen, "Esprit D'Air extend Constellations Tour with European Tour", AVO Magazine (we also read that source) en.wikipedia.org

Each numbered sentence above was checked against the source it cites before publication. Sentences citing Wikipedia adapt text from the English Wikipedia article Esprit D'Air (contributors), used under CC BY-SA 4.0; this entry is available under the same licence. Other sources were used for facts only; no text or images are copied from them.

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