Alternative metal band Esprit D'Air play The Academy Green Room, Dublin on 26 February 2026 and The Limelight 2, Belfast on 27 February 2026. We asked them the BIG questions . . .
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The band are led by The Sisters Of Mercy's guitarist, Kai, and ex-Ghost and Pendragon drummer Jan-Vincent Velazco, ex-MergingMoon guitarist Takeshi on bass, and Yusuke on guitar.
Their debut album, Constellations in 2017, won Best Metal Album at the Independent Music Awards, which was judged by Slayer, Sepultura, and Amy Lee of Evanescence.
The released the follow-up, Oceans (Special Edition), in 2022, while their third album Seasons included a cover of Iron Maiden's The Trooper, featuring ex-Judas Priest vocalist Tim "Ripper" Owens.
A new dark future metal odyssey album, Aeons, is released this Autumn, with latest singles, Silver Leaf, Zetsubou no Hikari, Shadow of Time, and Lost Horizon, out now.
Tell us three things about yourself . . .
Yusuke: I’ve been living in the UK since I was three years old. I watch a lot of sports, in particular football and baseball, and I have a degree in mathematics.
How would you describe your music?
Kai: Imagine if a video game boss fight had a soundtrack with heavy guitars, epic synth leads and poppy vocal hooks- that’s pretty much what we do. It’s also the path of our life since we write about our experiences, struggles, as well as our hopes and dreams.
Who are your musical inspirations?
Takeshi: JUDY AND MARY. They have rock, pop, punk - basically all kinds of musical elements. Cute, beautiful, cool, handsome, stylish, uncool, ugly, sexy, erotic - this band has everything I’m looking for. If you were born and raised in Japan around the same time as me, there’s no way you don’t know them.
What was the first gig you ever went to?
Takeshi: A live show by jazz trumpeter Terumasa Hino. My dad, who liked jazz, took me when I was little.
What was the first record you ever bought?
Kai: I don’t know if it counts because it was gifted to me, but it was Hikaru Utada’s First Love album in 1999. I love her voice, and I got goosebumps hearing it performed live. But like Yusuke, one of the first rock albums I bought was Hybrid Theory by Linkin Park.
What’s your favourite song right now?
Vincent: Lately, I’ve been listening to The Cult again. Their songs have so much feel, groove and emotion and for some bizarre reason, it makes me feel better. Right now, I’m listening to Sun King and Fire Woman on repeat.
Favourite lyric of all time?
Kai: I’m still trying to write it.
If you could only listen to one song for the rest of your life, what would it be?
Yusuke: Corridors of Time from the Chrono Trigger OST, by Yasunori Mitsuda. Beautiful piece of music that can be looped forever and also fits the theme of the question!
Where can people find your music/more information?
Kai: You can find us on our main channels on Instagram, TikTok, Spotify and YouTube. We’re also on Facebook when I remember to update it, and we have a website too!
Alan Corr
