Interview: D’ESPAIRSRAY reborn after 15 years, stronger than ever

After nearly 15 years away, the internationally beloved rock band D’ESPAIRSRAY shocked fans with their long-awaited revival. The band storms the stage at CROSS ROAD Fest on November 15, 2025, then tackles their first solo concert since disbanding, LIVE 2026 “RAPTURE”, scheduled for May 4, 2026, at Zepp DiverCity Tokyo. Without a doubt, D’ESPAIRSRAY has exploded back onto the live music scene with impact felt worldwide.

Their comeback also marks the relaunch of the official fan club, [un]Beautiful, and the worldwide digital release of their full back catalog across major platforms. As a result, fans and new listeners can now access D’ESPAIRSRAY’s music more easily than ever before.

With numerous major announcements, fans worldwide are eager to discover what lies ahead. What does this reunion mean for the band? How has their sound evolved, and could international tours be on the horizon once more? We spoke with D’ESPAIRSRAY to find out.

Congratulations on your reunion! What was the turning point that made you decide 2025 was the right time to return after so many years apart?　

HIZUMI: After losing my ability to sing for a while, I went through a lot of trial and error with my band “NUL.” until I reached the point I had been aiming for. Around that time, we were invited to CROSSROAD Fest, and the timing just felt perfect.

Each of you has pursued different musical paths since 2011, such as NUL., H.U.G, Luv PARADE, and The Micro Head 4n’s. HIZUMI, you also worked as a designer for UMBRELLA for many years, when singing wasn’t possible. How have those separate experiences during that hiatus shaped what you’re bringing back to D’ESPAIRSRAY now?

HIZUMI: I had always enjoyed design, but I also felt that developing those skills would be a real plus when returning to D’ESPAIRSRAY—especially for things like merchandise, design, and production.

What was it like stepping back into a rehearsal room or photo shoot set as D’ESPAIRSRAY after so long? Did it feel like no time had passed, or was it a completely new dynamic?

HIZUMI: Honestly, there wasn’t anything particularly shocking—it all felt pretty natural. Although I’ll admit, everyone else seemed a bit restless [laughs].

ZERO: TSUKASA and I had been working together even after D’ESPAIRSRAY disbanded, and during that time, through Luv PARADE, I also got back in touch with Karyu. So returning to D’ESPAIRSRAY was more of a gradual process, and we’d already been feeling the evolution and changes along the way. Nothing really hit us all at once as a shock. It’s only when we were recording our comments that I really felt like we hadn’t changed at all since then.

News of D’ESPAIRSRAY’s reunion garnered a passionate reaction online. How did it feel to see even overseas fans responding to your reunion?

Karyu: I felt so happy knowing that so many fans had been waiting for us, and it also gave me a strong sense of duty to make sure we go see them.

ZERO: I was really happy. It felt kind of like checking in on old friends after a long time—seeing that everyone was doing well.

With your fan club [un]Beautiful relaunched, what kind of experiences do you want to share with your fan base in this new era?

ZERO: We don’t have any concrete plans for large-scale events inside the fan club right now, but I’d love to share something special with them.

TSUKASA: I want to cherish the memories of D’ESPAIRSRAY back then, and moving forward, I hope to love and be loved by our dedicated fans like a family alongside D’ESPAIRSRAY’s new chapter.

D’ESPAIRSRAY has influenced a whole generation of overseas visual kei fans. Even from early in your career, you guys were touring internationally. How do you plan to continue that legacy with D’ESPAIRSRAY’s revival?

Karyu: Doing a world tour is one of my personal goals, so I definitely want to take on that challenge again.

TSUKASA: Our overseas fans have supported us so much throughout the years. As a way to give back, we want to create more opportunities to go abroad and perform for them.

D’ESPAIRSRAY’s hiatus was in part due to HIZUMI’s throat condition. How has your approach to performing and vocal health changed since then, and how has HIZUMI’s current range influenced the way you might write new songs?

HIZUMI: It’s not that the nerves controlling my throat and posture are fully healed, but I’ve learned to manage them well using various techniques and experiences. My vocal cords themselves have remained healthy since back then, so I haven’t had any strain. Through my work with NUL., I’ve also learned to use my brain more efficiently while singing. When creating new songs, I try to avoid the ranges that tend to trigger symptoms.

Karyu: We’re still exploring what’s possible, but I want to approach songwriting with the idea of turning limitations into strengths.

If you were to record new material, how do you imagine D’ESPAIRSRAY’s sound in 2025–2026 would differ from your last works? Is there a particular feeling or atmosphere that defines “the new D’ESPAIRSRAY”?

Karyu: It’s difficult to express everything in just one song, but I’d like to create a sound that’s louder and more aggressive than before, in a direction that many of our fans hope for.

After all the challenges, different career paths, and years apart, what does “D’ESPAIRSRAY” mean to each of you now compared to when you first started in 1999?

HIZUMI: It’s a challenge—a place we can’t avoid if we want to move forward.

Karyu: It’s special in my life, and it’s a band where I can take on new challenges.

ZERO: No matter the time or situation, D’ESPAIRSRAY is always behind me. I still see it as my origin, and it remains my last stronghold.

TSUKASA: It’s my life and my pride. It’s where my musical journey has led me, so it’s very important to me. It’s also family.

What did you miss most about performing live, and about each other as bandmates, that you’re looking forward to experiencing again as D’ESPAIRSRAY?

HIZUMI: Since we’ve all gathered again, bringing what we’ve gained from our individual activities, I’m looking forward to seeing what kind of performance and play we can deliver. That’s what live shows are about.

Karyu: We’ve all grown, so I want to create an even higher-level stage together.

ZERO: The ultimate, fully unleashed performance. I want to be ready to share something that matches—or even surpasses—what we did back then.

TSUKASA: I want to bring back the party-boy version of myself from those days and really enjoy it—while staying mindful of my health, of course.

Thanks so much for this interview! Any parting words for our readers?

HIZUMI: Let’s have fun together on May 4, 2026, at Zepp DiverCity!

Karyu: We’re working hard so we can perform in many more places. Please continue to support us!

ZERO: Touring the world made me realize how vast, yet close, the world really is. Right now, I feel a little distant from everyone, but I hope to get back near you all again—and I’d be happy to see you then.

TSUKASA: We’ll do our best to meet you all as much as possible, so please keep supporting us! Mania forever!!

Huge thanks to D’ESPAIRSRAY for chatting with us, especially with their comeback performance at CROSSROAD Fest just around the corner! We can’t wait to see the new challenges they take on and what the next chapter of D’ESPAIRSRAY’s story will bring.

In the meantime, we recommend catching up on D’ESPAIRSRAY’s previous releases, all available digitally on your preferred streaming platform.

You can also check out our interview with HIZUMI and HAKUEI of PENICILLIN, part of our collaboration with “club Zy.” here. Additionally, we have an interview with Karyu and HAKUEI from the same series here.