Digital, Newcastle
Monday, 24th March 2025
When it comes to music I subscribe to the views of many of a certain age (AKA old) that modern music is rubbish and impossible to understand but in the case of Esprit D’Air I have to modify that opinion as, although they might be fairly new they are far from rubbish. However as they are a Japanese metal band whose songs tend to be in their native language, the understanding of the songs is not always an option. But, if the music is good then that is not a problem, plus being metal even the English lyrics can be lost in the background noise.
Despite always being proud to have eclectic musical tastes many are still surprised that I could have this band, and genre, in my list of favourites and I admit that I only discovered them by accident. But after listening to one of their albums and, out of curiosity, seeing them live I was hooked. Having met them as well, and finding them to be truly nice guys, also helped me to become a fan.
Led by the flamboyant and androgynous, former Sisters of Mercy guitarist, Kia, they were touring the UK and Europe to promote their fourth studio album, Aeons. Like far too many bands they had originally announced dates in Britain that gave the impression that they thought Manchester, London and, occasionally, Glasgow were the only venues in the country and everywhere else didn’t exist, however they decided to extend the tour and include Newcastle so I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to see them once more.
The lights darkened and then the aural onslaught started. Running onto the stage with enough energy to make a caffeinated toddler, given an extra sugar boost by an over indulgent grandparent with too much chocolate in their kitchen cupboards, look sedate, Kai launched into the first song, Silver Leaf, with a ferocity that made me wonder if he, and the rest of the band, would be able to keep up the pace and, if they could, would my ear drums manage to survive.
The songs continued and there was no let up with the intensity, volume or energy. They were there to entertain and they didn’t let the fans down, but it was not all intensity in their personae’s as there was laughter between the band members. This showed that they were not just a machine pumping out music but also friends out to share a good time with those that were there. And the metal images were not so intense to stop Kai from dedicating one of the songs to Takeshi (the guitarist) and his pet cat which had died only a few weeks ago. Emotionally moving is not a term often used to describe metal concerts but the moment was there. But they didn’t make it too maudlin and quickly returned to the fast, loud and melodic show.
In previous tours they had relied on the music and performance to entertain but this time they had a video screen to enhance the audience experience and they managed to show some excellent and well-designed graphics. Mostly they enhanced the show without distracting the audience from the band, with Glaciers and Ocean’s Call being partially memorable, but I must admit that there was one song that had a Japanese samurai anime themed video that stole all my attention and left me wondering, afterwards, what was the song that they had just sung. But I was entertained so does it really matter what method they used to achieve that?
And still the songs kept coming with an intensity that seemed nigh on impossible without medicinal assistance but they managed. By the end of the concert, encore over and the final bows being taken, with make-up running and a sweat covered face, Kia showed how hard he had worked to deliver a night of great music. Obviously drained but still full of an energy that was freely given to him by an appreciative crowd.
And afterwards? I left with ears still ringing for a few hours afterwards and a mind full of happy memories while I made plans to see them again on their next tour, if they remember that places in between Manchester and Glasgow exist.
[Photos by Darren Walker]
SETLIST
Silver Leaf
Lost Horizon
Grudge
Shadow of Time
Stardust
Nebulae
Zetsubon No Hikari
The Hunter
The Abyss
Glaciers
– Interval –
Starstorm
Ocean’s Call
Dead Zone
Ignition
Aire
Drum Solo
Tsunami
Shizuku
~ Encore:
Leviathan
Calling You
Guiding Light
MUSICIANS
Kai – Lead Vocals, Guitar
Yusuke – Guitars
Takeshi – Bass
Vincent – Drums
LINKS
Espirit D’Air – Website | Facebook | Bandcamp | YouTube | X | Instagram
