Esprit D’Air

Esprit D'Air ("Spirit of Air" in French) is an alternative metal band formed in 2010 with members from Japan who coalesced in London. The band is led and fronted by Kai, current guitarist of the Sisters of Mercy. Their latest album Aeons entered #1 in the Official Rock & Metal Albums Chart.

In 2013, the band increased in popularity as their single "Shizuku" became the first playable song in the J-rock category in the video game Rock Band 3 (and now Rock Band 4 since 2023) but disbanded in the same year as members went back to Japan. Since reforming in 2016, Kai appoints session musicians and support members, which included some of the original line-up to perform with him on tour.

Reformed in 2016 as Kai's solo project, their debut album Constellations was released in 2017, to critical acclaim. The album won "Best Metal Album" at the Independent Music Awards, judged by a panel including Amy Lee of Evanescence, Slayer, and Sepultura and entered the Top 40 Rock & Metal Albums Chart.

In 2022, Esprit D'Air released their second album Oceans, which entered the UK Official Charts peaking at #8 in the Rock & Metal Albums Chart, and #5 in the Independent Albums Breakers Charts. The album later re-entered the charts for several weeks following the success of their UK Oceans tour in summer 2022.