Though they have been around for the better part of two decades by this point, coldrain are a band that seems to be evergreen. Their sound is fresh and vibrant, as evidenced by 2025's OPTIMIZE EP, which was among one of my personal favorite releases last year. Now, for their first full-length under Century Media Records' watch, they've expanded the EP into an LP with OPTIMIZE = OPTDEMISE, adding seven tracks to the existing five to round out a full album experience.
I won't tread over old ground, but it's apparent from the first track of the "OPTDEMISE" portion of things that the band aren't slowing down. "Ex-Humanity" is a kinetic track loaded with energy and vocalist Masato's full range on display. It's a song that, much like "Incomplete" from the "OPTIMIZE" portion, first-time fans could listen to and get the full scope of what coldrain is about. The follow-up "Rest Of Me" is a post-hardcore throwback with menacing, nasty riffing, though it does hit the melodic end in time for the chorus.
"Poison" calls upon The Used frontman Bert McCracken for a pop-punk vibe, albeit one with plenty of guitar snarl to boot and to satisfy as a coldrain track. The follow-up "G.I.A.I.G." (or Give It All I've Got) is a hopecore song through and through, once again allowing Masato to ping-pong between his screams and his belts. "Sing" continues in this accessible vein, emotive and evocative in its build and eventual payoff. It's a phonelight-waving effort that feels just right the level of saccharine.
The album's final two tracks kick things into full gear, with "Picture Perfect Hell" serving as a jolt of energy to take back the night. It's another dose of mid-Aughts metalcore in the vein of A Day To Remember, erring on the heavier side while still being infectious and catchy. The closing track "Savior" featuring Kenta Koie is the most nu offering on the album, almost like a heavier Linkin Park in places, as if Chester and Mike were fronting a drop-C-tuning-loving metalcore band in the mid-Aughts.
Yes, I've referenced the mid-Aughts several times throughout the review, but do not take that as the album being dated. It's exciting, intense, and immediately attention-grabbing. The album is a bridge between eras for coldrain, succeeding as both an introduction for new fans and as a thank you to longtime fans for sticking it out this long. It is a statement piece, and that statement is "we're just getting started."
OPTIMIZE = OPTDEMISE is available now via Century Media Records and Warner Music Japan.
To mark the new album's release, coldrain will embark on a tour of their native Japan throughout the rest of 2026, with the following dates announced:
10/06 Kawasaki, JP @ Club Citta
10/10 Hiroshima, JP @ Blue Live
10/17 Fukuoka, JP @ United Lab
10/21 Sapporo, JP @ Penny Lane24
10/22 Sapporo, JP @ Penny Lane24
11/01 Kanazawa, JP @ Eight Hall
11/03 Nigata, JP @ Lots
11/29 Sendai, JP @ Gigs
12/01 Osaka, JP @ Namba Hatch
12/02 Nagoya, JP @ Comtec Portbase
12/09 Tokyo, JP @ Toyosu Pit
