As featured on Billboard, HuffPost, Loudwire, 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 taking place at the prestigious Lincoln Center of Performing Arts in New York City, for the release of their debut album, Constellations, judged by an esteemed panel featuring Slayer, Amy Lee (Evanescence), Sepultura & more.

In 2019, Esprit D'Air was nominated Best Musical Act by NEO Magazine (sponsored by SEGA) finishing in the top five alongside the likes of Crossfaith, BAND-MAID, The GazettE and Mutant Monster.

In 2021, Esprit D'Air released their 10th Anniversary Live album and committed to releasing a new song every six weeks via their Patreon page.

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 and charted for several weeks in 2022 and 2023.

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.

Kai, the driving force behind Esprit D'Air, adheres to a strong DIY ethos, producing and recording all releases in his home studio, and books and promotes all tours by himself. As the sole official member, Kai employs session musicians for live performances and tours. In October 2023, Kai joined The Sisters of Mercy as one of their guitarists.

Following a successful 7-day UK tour in February 2023, supported by the Help Musicians charity, Esprit D'Air embarked on a 22-date European tour across Poland, Hungary, Spain, the UK, Ireland, the Netherlands, Germany, and Belgium, selling out most of the shows. In February 2024, they released special edition CD and vinyl versions of Oceans.

Esprit D'Air is set to release three upcoming albums: Seasons and Live in Barcelona on November 8, 2024, and Aeons in 2025, with a huge European tour in 2025.

AWARDS & ACHIEVEMENTS

2012: JpopAsia – "Best J-Rock Single" (Nominee) – Shizuku
2017: Neo Awards – "Best Musical Act" (Nominee)
2018: Independent Music Awards – "Best Metal Album" (Winner) – Constellations
2019: Neo Awards (sponsored by SEGA) – "Best Musical Act" (4th place)
2022: Official Charts Company – #8 in Rock and Metal Albums Chart – Oceans
2022: Official Charts Company – #5 in Independent Albums Breakers – Oceans
2023: Official Charts Company – #8 in Rock and Metal Albums Chart – Oceans
2023: Official Charts Company – #4 in Physical Singles Chart – Shizuku
2024: Official Charts Company – #4 in Physical Singles Chart – Leviathan
2024: Official Charts Company – #10 in Singles Downloads Chart – Leviathan
2024: Official Charts Company – #5 in Albums Downloads Chart – Oceans

In 2010, Esprit D'Air met in London and started out as a band. Due to members returning to Japan, they disbanded in 2013. They received recognition for having the first song in the J-Rock category to be playable in the video game, Rock Band 3.

In 2016, Esprit D'Air reformed as Kai's solo project, and released their comeback single, 'Rebirth', which exclusively featured on JROCK NEWS. Esprit D'Air did their first comeback show at HYPER JAPAN Festival, and followed up with one-off shows in UK and France.

In 2017, the band closely followed up with single, ‘Guiding Light’, which later premiered on TeamRock (now known as Louder, the home of Classic Rock and Metal Hammer) and featured as one of the 50 best rock songs of 2017 by TeamRock. In the summer of 2017, Esprit D'Air released their studio album, Constellations, peaking at #3 on Amazon’s best-seller in the hard rock/metal category and secured features on Kerrang! Radio, Louder, HuffPost, and PowerPlay, and Neo Magazine.

In February 2018, Esprit D’Air embarked on a self-promoted 11-day headline UK & Europe tour, selling out six of the shows, including dates at the world-famous The Underworld Camden in London, and La Nau in Barcelona.

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.