After more than a decade of silence, D'ESPAIRSRAY finally broke its self‑imposed exile. On September 9, the band—formed in 1999 and revered for its blend of industrial aggression and gothic elegance—posted a stark, red‑lettered notice: a single, all‑or‑nothing concert titled RAPTURE will land on May 4, 2026 at Zepp DiverCity in Tokyo. For fans who have been clutching old CDs and trading bootleg recordings, this is the first time in 15 years that the full lineup will share a stage.
Why the hiatus mattered and what changed
The original break‑up in 2011 was not a creative choice but a medical necessity. Vocalist HIZUMI suffered from a severe vocal cord condition that made performing impossible without risking permanent damage. The remaining members—guitarist Karyu, bassist ZERO and drummer TSUKASA—went their separate ways, dabbling in side projects and production work, yet the name D'ESPAIRSRAY stayed in the back of their minds like an unfinished story.
When the band finally announced the reunion, they did more than just set a date. They relaunched their official fan club, rebranded as [un]Beautiful, and placed their entire discography on major streaming services for the first time. This digital debut—from the raw, self‑released EPs that circulated in Japan’s underground scene to the polished major‑label albums that earned them a spot at Summer Sonic—opens the door for a new generation to discover their signature sound.
Inside the 'RAPTURE' plan and what fans can expect
To give the news some gravitas, the band hosted a live‑stream at 9:09 PM JST on their YouTube channel. All four members appeared on screen, each offering a candid look at the road that led back to the studio and the stage. HIZUMI spoke about turning personal hardship into a “light” for listeners, hoping the music will help people push through life’s rough patches. Karyu emphasized that the reunion isn’t a nostalgia act; it’s a chance to “challenge ourselves and push boundaries” with fresh material.
ZERO, ever the anchor, described D'ESPAIRSRAY as a permanent “home”—a place where the four can always return, no matter how far their solo journeys take them. TSUKASA rounded off the discussion by wishing to give fans “strength and energy” and to make them smile, even when the world feels heavy.
The venue, Zepp DiverCity, is a 2,500‑seat arena known for its state‑of‑the‑art sound system and intimate layout. Organizers promise a production that blends the band’s signature laser‑heavy visuals with a live orchestration of classic tracks like “Toy” and “Foreign Water”. While the setlist remains under wraps, insiders hint at the inclusion of a brand‑new song that will debut exclusively at the concert.
- Fan club [un]Beautiful reopens with tiered membership benefits, including early ticket access and limited‑edition merch.
- Full back‑catalog now streaming on Spotify, Apple Music, and Amazon Music.
- Special pre‑show livestream on May 3, featuring a Q&A with the band.
Ticket sales open next week, and social media has already exploded with speculation, fan art, and countdown memes. For a band that once vanished without a trace, the buzz feels almost electric. Whether you’re a die‑hard follower who saved a ticket stub from the 2005 tour or a newcomer intrigued by the sudden surge of streaming numbers, the upcoming RAPTURE gig marks a watershed moment for Japanese industrial metal.
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