Live Review: Esprit D'Air - KK's Steel Mill, Wolverhampton
18th February 2024
Support: Diamond Black
Words & Photos: Scott Clarke
The clear skies gave cause for a cool evening, air temperatures were low but it was the bands tonight bringing the heat. Esprit D’Air and Diamond Black had the fans turn out en masse. I was already outside the venue waiting however with 15 minutes to go before doors were due to open, the queue that had formed was an impressive one that snaked from the entrance, down the side of the building and around the corner towards the load in areas, the popularity on show already was a sign for what we were in for this evening.
First to take to the stage was Diamond Black, their unique blend of gothic rock and metal. Fronted by the mesmerising lead vocals and guitar of Ben Christo, Diamond Black is known for their haunting melodies and powerful lyrics.
Ghost In The Glass is the first track to begin as the 3 musicians make their entrance. The stage lights seemingly colder and noticeably in the blue hue tones with Ben wishing us all a good evening the band continue into In Venom as the crowd continue to scream, whether that’s entirely to do with the music or in combination with the band being very easy on the eye.
“We write songs about dealing with anxiety and depression and addiction and having the courage to show your true self. Whatever it is you’re going through in your life, reach out to people and have a support friendship around you but only you can find your own way Through the Misery”. Not only are they words of endearment, or a good lead in to the next song, but they’re very personal words that come heartfelt from Ben who has struggled with his own issues, they’re also a deep dive into the motivation and the source of inspiration for the band and shows their inner selves that most performers keep hidden behind the veil we see performed on stage, it’s an immediate connection to like minded souls and shows that we all struggle from time to time.
Don’t let negative aspects define you, Ben once more gives us more inspirational messages behind the songs as it leads the band into playing If You Kill My Demons. Throughout the set I feel elements of The Cure coming through the songs, it could be just me but they have a very distinctive sound that is more than just the hard rock instrumentals combined with the themes in the lyrics. Ben does a fantastic job as vocalist, from whispered, lower tones to soaring ranges, he creates a strong empathic bond with the audience as he tells the tales, likewise Vincent on the drums and Adam Hart on bass who, as we are told, is responsible for everything visual with the band, t-shirts, covers, marketing, graphics etc. also fill the stage with their presence and combine to create an ever so haunting sound.
The Scarlet is next on the list and the intro and chorus to this song could’ve fit nicely into anything released by Siouxsie and the Banshees back in the day, really enjoyed this one. The band bring to the stage a special guest for this show in Chloe Ozwell from Sister Shotgun, a Stourbridge local which gets a modest cheer from the crowd, for the next song Fall Into the Silence which has a forthcoming release. Dark Anthems and Sorrow round out the set with Esprit D’Air’s guitarist, Yusuke, joining in. It’s a great opening, Diamond Black are definitely on my to keep an eye on list, the 40 minute set seemed to fly by and I thoroughly enjoyed their performance from start to finish.
Esprit D’Air, since 2016 has been a passion project of Kai. Vocalist, guitarist, producer, marketer, there’s nothing untouched by Kai’s hand and it makes it a very personal journey and creation that the rest of the band are here to share with us tonight.
We welcome back Jan-Vincent Velazco who was pulling double shift tonight as drummer for both bands – he must be as fit as a fiddle or exhausted by the end of the night – and also Yusuke who had just completed jumping in on the closing of Diamond Black’s set. The dark room filled with light pouring from the LED screens as screams and cheers pierce the air. The electronica sound of the intro playing to lead us into the set, the loudest cheer being reserved for Kai as he screams into the mic “Lets have some fun!”.
Immediately the differentiation between the opening band and this one is apparent as the faster tempo and heavy beats with electronic influences fill the arena for Nebulae, the creative, story driven visuals playing in videos on the LED screen to lead us through the song, this would come to be a staple of the set as each track has its own distinct identity and visual stylings.
Moving straight into Ocean’s Call, Kai thanks the Wolverhampton faithful for welcoming them all to the show tonight, I have to say it’s a good turn out with plenty of t-shirts from previous tours, they have a good following. Up next is Grudge and despite some technical difficulties the band take it in their stride and continue as professionals do.
Lyrically I can’t comment much as my Japanese isn’t good, however despite the language barrier, the emotion and impact of the vocals are clear and Kai’s range is quite extraordinary, freely able to mix it up between growls and higher notes. Musically speaking, aside from the technical difficulties which are out of their control, the bands instrumental prowess is on full display throughout the show, the songs themselves are complex and switch and change in styles and its credit to their musicianship that they sounded so good.
Calling You, a track with more of the feeling of a ballad in the verses is next, it’s a little change of pace and a calming interjection from the high tempo start. Kai takes the time to let the audience know that the band are playing songs from both albums tonight so they’re in for a full experience of what Esprit D’Air can offer, it goes down well as a cheer erupts and the band launch into Starstorm. Its the anniversary of the Oceans album and the special edition of said album is plugged in an amusing passage of mentioning the oceans album over and over culminating in whispering one final...“Oceans album”. Another loud pop from the crowd as we go into the deeply aggressive Abyss and Kai becomes like something possessed leaning heavily into the death metal stylings.
Returning to the first album for Rebirth followed by a break for Kai as the rest of the band take lead of the stage and a drum solo ensues before leading us into Tsunami, Amethyst, Ignition and Kurenai. It’s an intense run of track after track before a brief pause to catch our breath as Kai leads us through the band that are on stage including Vincent on drums, Yusuke on guitar and Takeshi on bass before introducing the first song written, Shizuku.
Guitars go flying thick and fast as Kai quick changes between playing and singing and launches the guitars to a waiting tech in the wings on several occasions. Slowing the pace right down next is Deai, its an emotive piece for sure and further emphasises the stylistic ranges of this group. Takeshi is next to take the mic, wondering how his English sounds as it’s his second language, the crowd respond with cheers of support and confirmation that he is in fact quite fluent, Yusuke also takes the time to apologise for the technical difficulties earlier in the show but with everything set to continue and with Kai returning to the stage the show carries on with Guiding Light returning to the heavier sound heard throughout the rest of the night after which the end is near, or is it? As the crowd chant one more song, Kai and Esprit D’Air duly oblige, returning to the stage for Glaciers before bringing out Ben Christo of Diamond Black to join Kai on Dead Zone, its a great blend of the two bands styles before finally closing the evening with Leviathan.
Melodic, catchy and heavy with a blend of influences, Esprit D’Air are distinct but feel evolutionary in that they don’t constrain their styles. They’re incredible musicians and its exciting to think what may come forth in the future from the mind and talents of Kai.
Photo credits: Scott Clarke Photography
