London based Japanese-rockers Esprit D’Air have announced their new album ‘Constellations‘ will be released on the 30th of June. The rockers are not seeking a major record label which means they are trying to be self-sufficient. Producing everything themselves, they record, mix and master their own releases in their own home recording studio.
Esprit D’Air reformed in June 2016 after a three-year hiatus, with guitarist Kai taking on the role of vocalist, Ellis on bass and Daishi on drums. 2016 saw Esprit D’Air make an appearance at the main stage of Hyper Japan at Olympia, London as well as headlining a charity concert organised by Peko Peko in aid for the five-year anniversary of the Tohoku earthquake.
Let us get right down to business and talk about Constellations.
“Ignition” opens with bursting heavy riffs, for a second it sounded as if Machine Head have arrived. Then the synth kicks in, and “Ignition” changes the spec from hardcore metal to synth rock. This is followed up with “Rebirth” the first single to be released by the band since 2012, and these space metallers really smash out the riffs, exploding the mind. The theatre style vocals are spot on and this track is a rebirth for the band in more ways than one. This leads us in to the second single, “Guiding Light” which starts with crunching guitar sound, but also brings to mind images of keys being played and Kai with one foot on the amp while powering through the riffs live. Kai’s vocals would be great for an Andrew Lloyd Webber gig.
“The Hunter” floats away from the heavy guitars to a serene key instrumental, it’s like a sparkle that fades back to the screaming guitar riffs, making the listeners hair stand on end. Esprit D’Air is of a theatrical mould, heavy rock with high octane riffs and lyrics of a cinematic period.
Each of the eight tunes are explosive musical entities. While listening to these guys for the first time, you can’t help but feel they have an exciting sound that would give a rapturous live show. Imagine lights and fireworks, not those of Rammstein or Iron Maiden form, but one where you’ll catch yourself headbanging, or air keyboarding to “The Awakening”.