Japanese guitar hero Nozomu Wakai will blast his way onto the world stage
with his project Nozomu Wakai’s DESTINIA, featuring music composed, written, and
produced by Nozomu himself.
Nozomu Wakai, hailed in Japan and abroad as an artist who could bring forth
a rebirth of authentic and melodic heavy metal in the 21st century, has already
released two albums, “Requiem For A Scream” (2014) and “Anecdote Of The Queens”
(2015), with his project Nozomu Wakai’s DESTINIA. He has been recognized in the
Japanese hard rock and heavy metal scene for his contributions on guitar,
compositions, and sound directions on releases by the country's leading
musicians and anime's.
In 2016, during his quest for a new musical direction for DESTINIA, Nozomu
witnessed a performance by Lords Of Black, featuring vocalist Ronnie Romero, at
Loud Park 16, a metal festival in Japan. Though Nozomu was well aware of
Ronnie's abilities, he was hit hard by the new Ritchie Blackmore Rainbow singer.
A direct offer was made and accepted with Ronnie joining Nozomu to participate
as the vocalist in his Destinia project.
Having set his course for the direction of the new compositions, Nozomu
made the decision to offer Marco Mendoza and Tommy Aldridge, a rhythm section
hugely influential to him, the bass and drum positions, respective to add extra
strength to the music. It was an obvious choice for Nozomu's music as these
positions would demand the presence of two musicians with a vast knowledge of
the history of hard rock and heavy metal. Upon listening to Nozomu's music,
Marco and Tommy were thrilled to get involved.
Nozomu describes the musical direction and aspiration of DESTINIA as
'classic modern' heavy metal. "The music goes beyond the authentic hard rock and
heavy metal in the same vein as Rainbow, Whitesnake and Ronnie James Dio - it is
completed with the contemporary, modern sound styles. I am confident that I can
create exciting new music with these musicians," says Nozomu.
Praising his talents, Ronnie, Marco and Tommy were excited to join forces
with Nozomu. "I was impressed the moment I listened to his tracks," says Ronnie.
"Nozomu is an incredibly talented guitar player and an amazing composer. In
addition to that, my vocals fit in really well."
The emotional guitars by Nozomu and soulful vocals by Ronnie complement
each other and are made all the more powerful with the backing by the powerful
grooves of Tommy Aldridge and Marco Mendoza.
Nozomu's enthusiasm towards authentic metal with all his heart and soul is
apparent from the album's title track and first single, “Metal Souls”.
Nozomu sees a long-term potential in DESTINIA, claiming there are "songs
that need to be written, developments that need to be made". Behold the new
guitar hero, the shape of things to come in the new world of hard rock and heavy
metal.
Tracklisting:
01. Metal Souls
02. Rain
03. End of Love
04. Promised Land
05. Take Me Home
06. Raise Your Fist
07. Be a Hero
08. Metamorphosis
09. Cross The Line
10. JUDGEMENT DAY
11. Ready for Rock
Lineup:
Nozomu Wakai: Guitar
Ronnie Romero: Vocals
Marco Mendoza: Bass
Tommy Aldridge: Drums
