Japanese rock powerhouse coldrain unveil their new single “POISON”, featuring Bert McCracken of The Used. Taken from the band’s upcoming eighth studio album OPTIMIZE = OPTDEMISE, due out on September 25, 2026, the track combines alternative rock melodies, sing-along hooks and powerful heaviness, making it a perfect match between two of the genre’s most distinctive voices.
Alt-metal quintet coldrain (Nagoya, Japan) make their global return with their long awaited eighth full-length album “OPTIMIZE = OPTDEMISE”, set for release on September 25th, 2026, via Century Media Records. The album announcement is paired with the release of their new single “EX-HUMANITY,” which marks the sixth track unveiled from the upcoming album and the band’s first new song since the release of the “OPTIMIZE” EP on October 24th, 2025. The EP includes the band’s prior single releases “INCOMPLETE”, “CHASING SHADOWS”, and “FREE FALL”, all of which will also be featured on the forthcoming album.
Singer Masato shares about the upcoming album: ”EX-HUMANITY is a song built on contrast. Musically, it’s energetic, powerful and alive. Lyrically, it’s intentionally simple, static and full of despair. That contrast reflects the tension between what it means to be human and what we could become if we lose the things that make us who we are. Is this song a cry for hope or a requiem for humanity. My hope is it will not be the latter.”
coldrain LIVE
coldrain announced their “OPTIMIZE = OPTDEMISE JAPAN TOUR” last month, which will be happening from October to December 2026. Additionally, the band has been confirmed as one of the support acts for Electric Callboy’s “TANZNEID WORLD TOUR” tour in Australia for September 2026, alongside Ice Nine Kills. The band will also play at various festivals across Japan this summer.
From releasing three brand-new tracks to touring across their own country with the title in blind sight, Japanese band coldrain have kept anticipation high. Now, the quintet has finally unveiled their new EP “OPTIMIZE” – a 5-track release delivering the band’s very own message against a polished and streamlined world. A message for living not as someone’ s copy, but as one’ s true self – imperfect, unfiltered, and alive. Written by the members Y.K.C and Masato, mixed by Sam Guaiana and mastered by Mike Kalajian, “OPTIMIZE” delivers an emotion filled experience, charged with energy across genres. The EP includes the band’s latest single releases “INCOMPLETE”, “CHASING SHADOWS”, and “FREE FALL”.
Listen to “OPTIMIZE” HERE &watch the EP trailer HERE
Tracklist:
OPTIMIZE
CHASING SHADOWS
DIGITOLL
INCOMPLETE
FREE FALL
Next month, coldrain will bring their “OPTIMIZE” tour to the UK and Europe, performing in a total of 17 cities. The tour will be supported by Revnoir, and NOISEMAKER.
Additionally, the band has been confirmed as one of the support acts for Electric Callboy’s “TANZNEID WORLD TOUR” tour in Australia for September 2026, alongside Ice Nine Kills.
04.09.2026 AU-Perth RAC Arena 06.09.2026 AU-Adelaide Adelaide Entertainment Centre 08.09.2026 AU-Melbourne ROD Laver Arena 10.09.2026 AU-Sydney Qudos Bank Arena 12.09.2026 AU-Brisbane Riverstage
About coldrain
coldrain is a five-piece rock band from Nagoya, Japan, blending post-hardcore, alternative metal, and soaring melodies with English vocals and global appeal. Since their debut in 2008 with Fiction, they’ve built a fierce reputation through relentless touring and emotionally charged performances. Their international rise began in 2013 with European tours and major festival appearances, establishing them as Japan’ s premier heavy music export. In 2022, they released their seventh album Nonnegative and headlined their largest national tour to date. They continued to make waves with Vengeance, the 2024 anime theme for NINJA KAMUI, and by hosting the massive BLARE FEST. 2023 in their hometown. Now signed to Century Media Records, coldrain is poised to leave an even greater mark on the global rock and metal scene.
Japanese rock force coldrain have unveiled their third single, “FREE FALL”, taken from their upcoming EP “OPTIMIZE” . The single dives deeper into the band’s signature mixture of melodic intensity and raw emotion, delivering a song that could become a fans favorite anthem. “FREE FALL” follows coldrain’s latest single releases “INCOMPLETE” and “CHASING SHADOWS”. The upcoming EP “OPTIMIZE” will feature five tracks in total and will be released digital on all platforms October 24th, 2025, via Century Media Records.
Japanese rising force coldrain debuts their explosive new single “Chasing Shadows”, ahead of the band’s tour & festival run in Germany this August. Packed with the unmistakable vocal power of frontman Masato, “Chasing Shadows” delivers a fierce blend of melody and aggression, capturing the band’s signature sound with raw emotion expressed in both English and Japanese. With its compelling mix that resonates across both metal and rock audiences, “Chasing Shadows” further establishes coldrain as one of the most dynamic forces in international rock. The single follows on their March release “INCOMPLETE”.
Vocalist Masato shares about the new song: ”This song was inspired by tales of people who questioned the values and rules they were given, and try to find the truth for themselves.
I wanted to share how important it is to explore + understand each other, instead of easily moving toward conflict or anger.
Even if the world feels closed off, the fire inside us can’t be put out. It’s a message to keep taking small steps forward, even when we feel lost.”
The Japanese quintet recently announced their Japan Tour for September and October under the title “OPTIMIZE” while also teasing the arrival of their new EP under the same name for this fall. With two singles already released and their European headline tour for this fall branded under the same name, fans and new listeners alike can expect more details to follow in the upcoming weeks.
coldrain LIVE
The release of “Chasing Shadows” comes just as coldrain kicks off their festival & headliner run in Germany, with appearances at major events including Rocco del Schlacko, Summer Breeze, and Reload Festival. The band will also return to Europe this fall for a 17-date headline tour across the UK and Europe, including stops in London, Paris, Amsterdam, Prague, Berlin, and Warsaw. With the tour being added to the band’s OPTIMIZE run, fans can expect to hear songs from their new EP, expected for this fall, live for the first time.
Please find the full list of live dates for the band below.
Formed in 2007 in Nagoya, Japan, and with a total of seven studio albums under their belt, coldrain is certainly not a new name in the scene. While releasing music in English, the quintet is known for blending melodic singing with heavy instrumentals and screaming, finding the perfect balance between genres. Through touring with international names such as Bullet for My Valentine and Papa Roach, coldrain has built an international audience over the years.
It surely will be a busy year for COLDRAIN : After sharing their plans for a busy festival summer in Germany, the band has announced their headline tour for Europe and the UK, scheduled for November and December this year. With a total of 17 stops, the quintet will be performing in the UK, Belgium, France, Germany, Netherlands, Switzerland, Czech Republic, Austria, Hungary, and Poland. Officially kicking off November 22nd in Manchester, UK, the tour will have its closing show December 13th in Frankfurt, Germany.
Just recently, coldrain released their newest single, “INCOMPLETE”. This track has already garnered significant attention and praise from both fans and new audiences alike, showcasing the band’s continued evolution and musical force. It’s clear that 2025 is shaping up to be an unforgettable year for the band with more to come.
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