Optimize (EP)

Last updated
Optimize
Coldrain - Optimize.jpg
EP by
Released24 October 2025 (2025-10-24)
Recorded2024
Genre
Length10:51
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's currently scheduled to release 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.

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. [2] [3] Simultaneously, the band teased the lead single "Incomplete" before its release on 20 March as the band's debut single on their new labels. [4] On 27 March, the music video for "Incomplete" was released alongside aditionally announced German tour dates for August. [5] 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. [6] [7] On 11 July, the band formally announced their fifth EP Optimize, scheduled for release during an unspecifed time in the autumn. [8] The band simultaneously announced a One Man Tour across Japan to promote the release. [9] [10] On 6 August, the band surprise released the EP's second single "Chasing Shadows". [11] [12] On 9 September, the band announced that the EP would be scheduled to release on 24 October. [13] [14] [15] On 26 September, the band released the EP's third single "Free Fall". [16] [17]

Track listing

Optimize track listing
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Track 1"  
2."Chasing Shadows"3:47
3."Track 3"  
4."Incomplete"
  • Hayakawa
  • Yokochi
3:35
5."Free Fall"
  • Hayakawa
  • Yokochi
3:29
Total length:10:51

Personnel

Coldrain

References

  1. Nuttall, Luke (16 October 2025). "REVIEW ROUND-UP: Biohazard, Coldrain, Spaced". The Soundboard. Retrieved 16 October 2025.
  2. "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.
  3. "Japan's Coldrain Signs With Century Media Records". Brave Words . 18 March 2025. Retrieved 16 October 2025.
  4. Willschick, Aaron (20 March 2025). "Coldrain Release "Incomplete" Single via Century Media Records". V13.net. Retrieved 16 October 2025.
  5. Howell, Maddy (28 March 2025). "Coldrain Share Music Video For 'Incomplete'". Rock Sound . Retrieved 16 October 2025.
  6. Corbin, Dayle (14 April 2025). "Coldrain crams impactful earthly visuals in "INCOMPLETE" music video". JRockNews. Retrieved 16 October 2025.
  7. "Coldrain: EU/UK Headliner Tour 2025 Optimize". Warrington Guardian . Retrieved 16 October 2025.
  8. "Coldrain will hold a one-man tour <OPTIMIZE> Hints at EP release this fall" (in Japanese). Barks. 11 July 2025. Retrieved 16 October 2025.
  9. "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.
  10. Watkins, Cris (9 October 2025). "Coldrain Set Sights on Europe with New EP and Tour". Punkinfocus. Retrieved 16 October 2025.
  11. Ruskell, Nick (6 August 2025). "Listen to Japanese metallers Coldrain's new single, Chasing Shadows". Kerrang! . Retrieved 6 August 2025.
  12. Weaver, James (15 August 2025). "Coldrain release new music video for 'Chasing Shadows'". Distorted Sound. Retrieved 16 October 2025.
  13. Garner, Emily (11 September 2025). "Coldrain announce five-track EP, Optimize". Kerrang! . Retrieved 23 September 2025.
  14. "Japan's COLDRAIN Announces Optimize EP; "Chasing Shadows" Live From Summer Breeze 2025 Streaming". Brave Words . 9 September 2025. Retrieved 16 October 2025.
  15. "2025 Hard Rock + Metal Album Release Calendar". Loudwire . 10 October 2025. Retrieved 16 October 2025.
  16. Makari, Tarjavi (3 October 2025). "Japanese Coldrain Release Third Single 'Free Fall' from Upcoming EP". Metal Shock. Retrieved 16 October 2025.
  17. Liner, Lucia (29 September 2025). "Coldrain Are In "Free Fall" On Newest Single & Visualizer". The Nu Metal Agenda. Retrieved 16 October 2025.