Oceans (Esprit D'Air album)

Critical

The release of 'Leviathan' garnered some praise from peers with The Sisters of Mercy's Ben Christo stating of the song, "It's a really unique blend of djent, industrial, electro, goth, emo, metal and much more. I love the dramatics and cinematic quality it has, with haunting, melancholy colors swooping betwixt the cruel, relentless jaws of the machine."^[10] Michael Falcore of The Birthday Massacre stated that 'Leviathan' is a "wonderful song, feels like a modern day opera with heavy guitars set on fire! Melancholic and haunting, the vocals cut deep. A truly inspired song."^[11]

About the track, 'Dead Zone', Richard Shaw, the guitarist of Cradle of Filth stated, "Catchy and atmospheric, with incredible vocals and an otherworldly guitar solo. What a song!".^[12]

PowerPlay Magazine gave Oceans a 10/10 review, and a live review, citing that "In the 25 years that I've been publishing Powerplay and of the thousands of bands that I've seen play live, this rated as one of the most crushingly intense shows that I've ever experienced".^[4]

Radio coverage

Both 'Calling You' and 'Amethyst' were played on BBC Radio's F.N.A.T. show.^[13][14]

'Leviathan' was played on BBC Radio 1's Future Alternative show with Nels Hylton and Kerrang! Radio's Fresh Blood with Alex Baker. About 'Leviathan', Nels Hylton states, "Gargantuan, taking electronic-sounding elements and just layering it over some of the best guitar riffs I’ve heard in a minute.", whilst Alex Baker states, "Showcases how these guys have the ability to mix up so many flavors. It's proggy, cinematic, it's synthy, it's a bit DragonForce-y at times, a bit metal-y, but all the time, it's bloody great."^[15][16]

Ollie Winiberg (BBC Radio 1) also stated, "One of the most phenomenal guitar players I have seen in years, going by the name of Esprit D'Air." on his Heavy Hooks podcast.^[17]

'The Abyss' was played on TotalRock and Midlands Metalheads Radio.

Matthew Kiichi Heafy of Trivium played 'Leviathan' as an opening track on his Chaos Hour show on SiriusXM.^[18]

Commercial

Despite not being on a major record label and releasing independently, "Oceans" peaked at number 8 on the UK Rock and Metal Albums Chart, and number 5 on the UK Independent Albums Chart and has re-entered and stayed in the Official Charts for several weeks in 2022. It was their first album to reach the UK charts.^[19][20]

Production

• Kai – lead vocals, guitar, bass, drums, piano, synthesizer, production, programming, recording engineer, art direction and typography
• Paul Visser – mixing and mastering engineer (all tracks except 1, 12, 13, 15, 17, 19 and 20)

Session musicians

• Ryoma Takahashi – co-producer and writer (tracks 2 and 14)
• Yusuke Okamoto – co-producer and writer (track 4)
• UmiKazeTaiyou – co-producer and writer (track 9)
• Takeshi Tokunaga – co-producer and writer (track 10), bass (tracks 3, 10 and 14)
• Yoshisuke Suga – writer (track 16)
• Tatsuya Nashimoto – producer (track 16)
• Jan-Vincent Velazco – drums (track 14 and 18)
• Sougo Akiyoshi – drums (track 7 and 8)
• Ryo Kinoshita – additional vocals and lyrics (track 5)
• Ben Christo – additional vocals and lyrics (track 6)

Artwork

• Lewis-Jon Somerscales – disc and inlay innerpage artwork
• Alex Kie – photographer

Remixers

• Heavygrinder – remix engineer (track 17)
• Shirobon – remix engineer (track 20)