Optimize = Optdemise (stylised in all caps) is the eighth studio album by Japanese rock band Coldrain. Self-produced by the band's lead guitarist Ryo Yokochi, it was released on 25 September 2026. It is the band's first studio album on Century Media Records and Sony Music Japan after leaving longtime label Warner Music Japan.
Optimize = Optdemise is the band's first studio album in four years since their seventh studio album Nonnegative (2022), serving as the longest gap between albums in the band's history. It is the band's first album to be rolled out internationally since their fourth studio album Vena (2015), and the first to hold self-production credits since their second studio album The Enemy Inside (2011). It is also the first album by the band to include Japanese lyrics that are briefly heard in the third minute on the album's second track "Chasing Shadows".
The album acts as a sequel record to the band's fifth EP Optimize (2025), of which all of the EP's five tracks are included as the first physical disc of the album. The sequel Optdemise is a seven-track record of the album's second physical disc packaged together with the EP to create a twelve track double album titled Optimize = Optdemise. The concept of the themes of retaining humanity in a world being further consumed by technology and artifical intelligence creates an overarching narrative that serves as the band's first ever attempt at a concept album.
Optdemise was preceded by two singles; the lead single "Ex-Humanity" was released alongside the album's reveal on 17 July 2026, while the second single "Poison" features Bert McCracken, the frontman from American rock band The Used, which dropped on 28 August. The album also features Crossfaith vocalist Kenta Koie on the album's final track "Savior". Tracking at a little over 41 minutes, the album received positive reviews by critics.
Track listing All lyrics written by Masato Hayakawa, all music composed by Masato Hayakawa and Ryo Yokochi, except when noted.
Notes All track titles are stylised in all caps. The international physical version of "Chasing Shadows" omits the Japanese lyrics.
Personnel Credits adapted from the album's liner notes and Tidal.
Coldrain – lead vocals, composition, lyrics, arrangements – lead guitar, composition, programming, production, engineering, arrangements – rhythm guitar, backing vocals, arrangements – bass guitar, backing vocals, arrangements – drums, percussion, arrangements
Additional musicians Bert McCracken – vocals, lyrics (ASCND Studios, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia) – vocals, lyrics
Additional personnel Sam Guaiana – mixing Mike Kalajian – mastering (Rogue Planet Mastering, Gardiner, New York, US) Steven McNair – engineering Ingrid Oram – engineering (ASCND Studios, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia) Greg Stace – engineering (ASCND Studios, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia) Ryo Trackmaker – engineering
Charts + Chart performance for Optimize = Optdemise Chart (2026) Peakposition Japanese Albums (Oricon) 14 Japanese Combined Albums (Oricon) 20 Japanese Rock Albums (Oricon) 1 Japanese Download Albums (Billboard) 12 Japanese Top Album Sales (Billboard) 13
Release history +Release history and formats for Optimize = OptdemiseRegionDateFormatLabel Japan 25 September 2026 Sony Music Century Media Australia 2 October 2026
References
External links
Optimize = Optdemise at YouTube (streamed copy where licensed)