D’ESPAIRSRAY reveal ‘RAPTURE’, first single in 16 years

Visual kei metallers D’ESPAIRSRAY have revealed their new single ‘RAPTURE’, 16 years after their last single release. The CD release will drop on May 13th.

After many years of silence, D’ESPAIRSRAY are finally releasing their long-awaited single ‘RAPTURE’, also the title of their upcoming first headline show in 15 years. The band teased the release on social media with short previews of the music video. From the previews, the track sounds to be classic D’ESPAIRSRAY, with their gothic-edged nu-metal-like flair. Their last single, ‘LOVE IS DEAD’, was released in April 2010, the same year as their last performances in Europe.

The CD single features five tracks: ‘RAPTURE’, plus vocalless, guitarless, bassless, and drumless minus-one versions, designed to be enjoyed from a player’s perspective as much as a listener’s.

RELATED: D’ESPAIRSRAY confirm 2026 “RAPTURE” headline show, their first in 15 years

In-store events will take place across Japan alongside the release, with dates set for May 15th in the Kanto area, May 17th in Tokyo, May 30th in Osaka, and May 31st in Nagoya. Venues are yet to be confirmed. Drummer TSUKASA will be absent from the Tokyo date on May 17th due to scheduling constraints.

In addition to the single and their sold-out D’ESPAIRSRAY LIVE 2026 “RAPTURE” show at Zepp DiverCity Tokyo on May 4th, the band will also appear at two major visual kei festivals: MASKED in Tokyo on May 23rd and B7KLAN J-ROCK FEST in Paris on July 12th.

D’ESPAIRSRAY will also hold a free exhibition at the ESP Museum from May 3rd to May 10th. A further live date, D’ESPAIRSRAY LIVE 2026 “CLIMAX”, is scheduled for December 30th at KT Zepp Yokohama.

Preorders for ‘RAPTURE’ are available now via CDJapan.

D’ESPAIRSRAY
RAPTURE

Release Date: 13/05/2026
Stream: Spotify | Apple Music
CD: CDJapan

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