Optimize (EP)

Last updated
Optimize
Coldrain - Optimize.jpg
EP by
Coldrain
Released24 October 2025 (2025-10-24)
Recorded2024
Genre
Length18:13
Label
Producer Ryo Yokochi
Coldrain chronology
Homecoming Live at Nippon Gaishi Hall
(2025)		Optimize
(2025)
Singles from Optimize
  1. "Incomplete"
    Released: 20 March 2025
  2. "Chasing Shadows"
    Released: 6 August 2025
  3. "Free Fall"
    Released: 26 September 2025

Optimize (stylised in all caps) is the fifth EP by Japanese rock band Coldrain. Self-produced by the band's lead guitarist Ryo Yokochi, it was released on 24 October 2025. It is the band's first release on Century Media Records and Sony Music Japan after leaving longtime label Warner Music Japan.

Contents

While it's the band's first EP in four years since the lead single "Paradise (Kill the Silence)" (2021) from the band's seventh studio album Nonnegative (2022) was released as such; it is the band's first full proper EP in eleven years since Japanese exclusive Until the End (2014), marking Optimize as the band's first EP to be released worldwide upon release and the first release by the band to be fully rolled out internationally since their fourth studio album Vena (2015).

The EP was preceeded by three singles; the lead single "Incomplete" on 20 March, acting as the first ever thing the band released on their new label, the second single "Chasing Shadows" was released on 6 August, while the EP's third and final single "Free Fall" was released on 26 September. Optimize received positive reviews by critics, and has been promoted by a World Tour that began in September 2025, set to conclude in September 2026.

Optimize serves as the longest ever gap between releases of original material from the band, while at five tracks, it is the band's shortest EP to date, tracking at a little over 18 minutes.

Background

On 18 March 2025, the band announced that they had left long-time label Warner Music Japan and had put pen-to-paper on a contract with German based label Century Media Records on an international deal, while signing with Sony Music in their home country. [1] [2] Simultaneously, the band teased the lead single "Incomplete" before its release on 20 March as the band's debut single on their new labels. [3] On 27 March, the music video for "Incomplete" was released alongside additionally announced German tour dates for August. [4] On 4 April, the band announced a fullscale European headline tour, kicking off in Manchester, England on 22 November and culminating in Frankfurt, Germany on 13 December, the tour spans across 16 cities, including the band's first UK dates in six years, alongside their debut concert in Hungary. [5] [6] On 11 July, the band formally announced their fifth EP Optimize, scheduled for release during an unspecifed time in the autumn. [7] The band simultaneously announced a One Man Tour across Japan to promote the release. [8] [9] On 6 August, the band surprise released the EP's second single "Chasing Shadows". [10] [11] On 9 September, the band announced that the EP would be scheduled to release on 24 October. [12] [13] [14] On 26 September, the band released the EP's third single "Free Fall". [15] [16] On 22 September, the band uploaded a teaser trailer for Optimize to their social media accounts. [17]

Composition

The EP has been described by critics as post-hardcore, [18] [19] [20] metalcore, [18] [19] [20] nu metal, [21] [22] alternative metal, [23] [24] [25] alternative rock, [21] hard rock, [24] and pop rock. [26]

Track listing

All lyrics written by Masato Hayakawa, all music composed by Masato Hayakawa and Ryo Yokochi.

Optimize track listing
No.TitleLength
1."Optimize"3:57
2."Chasing Shadows"3:47
3."Digitoll"3:24
4."Incomplete"3:35
5."Free Fall"3:29
Total length:18:13

Notes

Personnel

Credits adapted from the EP's digital liner notes. [27]

Charts

Chart performance for Optimize
Chart (2025)Peak
position
Japanese Digital Albums (Oricon) [28] 13

References

  1. ↑ "Coldrain announces global contract with prestigious overseas label "Century Media Records"! The first single "INCOMPLETE" will be released on 3/20!" (in Japanese). Gekirock. 18 March 2025. Retrieved 16 October 2025.
  2. ↑ "Japan's Coldrain Signs With Century Media Records". Brave Words . 18 March 2025. Retrieved 16 October 2025.
  3. ↑ Willschick, Aaron (20 March 2025). "Coldrain Release "Incomplete" Single via Century Media Records". V13.net. Retrieved 16 October 2025.
  4. ↑ Howell, Maddy (28 March 2025). "Coldrain Share Music Video For 'Incomplete'". Rock Sound . Retrieved 16 October 2025.
  5. ↑ Corbin, Dayle (14 April 2025). "Coldrain crams impactful earthly visuals in "INCOMPLETE" music video". JRockNews. Retrieved 16 October 2025.
  6. ↑ "Coldrain: EU/UK Headliner Tour 2025 Optimize". Warrington Guardian . Retrieved 16 October 2025.
  7. ↑ "Coldrain will hold a one-man tour <OPTIMIZE> Hints at EP release this fall" (in Japanese). Barks. 11 July 2025. Retrieved 16 October 2025.
  8. ↑ "Coldrain announces one-man tour "OPTIMIZE" that will visit 6 cities nationwide from September! An EP release is also hinted at!" (in Japanese). Gekricock. 11 July 2025. Retrieved 16 October 2025.
  9. ↑ Watkins, Cris (9 October 2025). "Coldrain Set Sights on Europe with New EP and Tour". Punkinfocus. Retrieved 16 October 2025.
  10. ↑ Ruskell, Nick (6 August 2025). "Listen to Japanese metallers Coldrain's new single, Chasing Shadows". Kerrang! . Retrieved 6 August 2025.
  11. ↑ Weaver, James (15 August 2025). "Coldrain release new music video for 'Chasing Shadows'". Distorted Sound. Retrieved 16 October 2025.
  12. ↑ Garner, Emily (11 September 2025). "Coldrain announce five-track EP, Optimize". Kerrang! . Retrieved 23 September 2025.
  13. ↑ "Japan's COLDRAIN Announces Optimize EP; "Chasing Shadows" Live From Summer Breeze 2025 Streaming". Brave Words . 9 September 2025. Retrieved 16 October 2025.
  14. ↑ "2025 Hard Rock + Metal Album Release Calendar". Loudwire . 10 October 2025. Retrieved 16 October 2025.
  15. ↑ Makari, Tarjavi (3 October 2025). "Japanese Coldrain Release Third Single 'Free Fall' from Upcoming EP". Metal Shock. Retrieved 16 October 2025.
  16. ↑ Liner, Lucia (29 September 2025). "Coldrain Are In "Free Fall" On Newest Single & Visualizer". The Nu Metal Agenda. Retrieved 16 October 2025.
  17. ↑ Liner, Lucia (22 October 2025). "Coldrain Release Teaser Trailer For 'OPTIMIZE' EP". The Nu Metal Agenda. Retrieved 22 October 2025.
  18. 1 2 Nuttall, Luke (16 October 2025). "REVIEW ROUND-UP: Biohazard, Coldrain, Spaced". The Soundboard. Retrieved 16 October 2025.
  19. 1 2 Dennis, Peter (23 October 2025). "Review: Coldrain – Optimize (EP)". Devoltuion. Retrieved 26 October 2025.
  20. 1 2 McGinn, Katarina (24 October 2025). "Coldrain – OPTIMIZE (Century Media)". Dead Rhetoric. Retrieved 26 October 2025.
  21. 1 2 Plata, Riccardo (20 October 2025). "Coldrain – Optimize" (in Italian). Metal Italia. Retrieved 26 October 2025.
  22. ↑ Zast (22 October 2025). "Coldrain unveils Optimize EP and world tour – Clip" (in French). Musique Alliance. Retrieved 26 October 2025.
  23. ↑ Makari, Tarjavi (25 October 2025). "Japanese Alternative Force Coldrain Release Long Anticipated EP "Optimize"". Metal Shock. Retrieved 26 October 2025.
  24. 1 2 Knight, George (6 August 2025). "Nagoya rockers Coldrain are "Chasing Shadows" in their new era, upcoming EP 'Optimize' slated to release this Autumn". Thunderchord. Retrieved 26 October 2025.
  25. ↑ "Optimize EP - Coldrain" (in Spanish). Metallerium. 24 October 2025. Retrieved 26 October 2025.
  26. ↑ Kat, Becky (23 October 2025). "Review of Upcoming EP: Coldrain - Optimize". Alter Nation. Retrieved 26 October 2025.
  27. ↑ "Credits/Optimize/Coldrain". Tidal. 24 October 2025. Retrieved 24 October 2025.
  28. ↑ "Weekly Digital Album Rankings". Oricon. 3 November 2025. Archived from the original on 29 October 2025. Retrieved 29 October 2025.
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