Esprit D'Air is an alternative metal band led by The Sisters Of Mercy's guitarist, Kai. Featuring ex-Ghost and Pendragon drummer Jan-Vincent Velazco, ex-MergingMoon guitarist Takeshi on bass, and Yusuke on guitar.

As featured on Billboard, HuffPost, Loudwire, BBC Radio, Kerrang! & Louder, their sound is unique and fresh. From nu metal and djent to power metal and electronicore, no two songs sound the same—Esprit D'Air defies genres, blending soaring melodies, and futuristic soundscapes into a style that's uniquely their own.

Their debut album, Constellations (2017), won Best Metal Album at the Independent Music Awards—judged by icons from Slayer, Sepultura, and Amy Lee (Evanescence).

Their 2022 follow-up, Oceans (Special Edition), stormed the Official Charts, hitting #8 in Rock & Metal and #5 in Album Downloads, with anthems like 'Leviathan' and '津波 ('Tsunami'), and features from Ben Christo (The Sisters of Mercy) and Ryo Kinoshita (ex-Crystal Lake & Knosis).

Their third album Seasons also saw the band climb up the Official Charts, and included a cover of Iron Maiden’s 'The Trooper', featuring ex-Judas Priest vocalist Tim "Ripper" Owens.

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.

Esprit D'Air stands out as a completely independent act, with Kai handling everything from production to promotion without a record label, or management. Fueled by passion and fan support, the band stays true to their vision while delivering world-class music and selling out international shows.

A new dark future metal odyssey album, Aeons, is coming Fall 2025. Latest singles, 'Shadow of Time', 'Lost Horizon' from the upcoming album are out now.

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 – #9 in Singles Sales – Leviathan
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
2024: Official Charts Company – #13 in Albums Downloads Chart – Seasons
2024: Official Charts Company – #39 in Albums Downloads Chart – Live in Barcelona

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.