Review: “The Weight Of Sound” by Crystal Lake

”When I look back, I realise that Crystal Lake has now been active for 23 long years. People often say, “time flies,” but the truth is we’ve carved out countless histories together – with friends, bandmates, and fellow musicians – sharing struggles that drew blood and building this band piece by piece. I have constantly been inspired by the people and the environment around me. To play that music together with comrades-in-arms is what it means to be a band. And the music that band creates has the power to shape a new culture. Our new album The Weight of Sound is a reflection of this way of life. I truly hope you will listen and enjoy it.” ~ Guitarist and founder Yudai “YD” Miyamoto

Back in 2018 we had the pleasure of witnessing Japanese Metalcore act Crystal Lake as they graced the Waghorn Guitars Stage of UK Tech-Fest and back then they seemed destined for World domination. A year later they unveiled their album “Helix” via Sharptone Records which confirmed their acendency as they shattered the mirror of expectation and drew on Deathcore influences to blend their infectious melodies with a previously untapped vein of heaviness. Everything seemed to be poised for the band to reach the nirvana of regular European Festival circuits but underneath the surface there was something happening that no one could have predicted. In 2020 rhythm guitarist Shinya Hori exited stage left having been ever present since the bands inception in 2002 before vocalist Ryo Kinoshita announced his departure due to suffering from adjustment disorder in 2022. The double departure felt like a hammer blow but guitarist and founder Yudai “YD” Miyamoto began the process of rebuilding. Guitarist Hisatsugu “TJ” Taji joined in 2021 and then after what can only be described as a rigorous search, they recruited former The Last Ten Seconds Of Life vocalist John Robert Centorrino, releasing single “Rebirth” in 2023.

Landing like a sucker punch without warning, the long awaited, highly anticipated seventh studio album from Crystal Lake begins with “Everblack“, a track that can only be described as a cathartically violent outburst of pure release from the heavier end of Metalcore. It captures the bands live energy perfectly, balancing darkness and light on a knife edge with a clean and unclean vocals layered perfectly during a powerful scream-a-long chorus that echoes the likes of Australians Polaris. The band are joined David Simonich of Pittsburgh Deathcore skull splitters Signs Of The Swarm who provides some throat splitting vocal moments, bursts of blast beat intensity from Gaku Taura fueling the fire as the band wave the opportunity for an introduction and instead go straight for the jugular. The programming of the bands more recent work is also present and correct, providing and underpinning for “Blüdgod” which has yet more vocal ferocity as Taylor Barber of Left To Suffer joins the party. In the aftermath what we’re left with is a kind of electronic infused Deathcore track with pace and power that packs a serious punch, Crystal Lake having clearly taken their time to get things perfected rather than rush out a record with their new vocalist. By the time “Neversleep“, a song which features Myke Terry of Volumes fame hits, its obvious that the decision has paid off handsomely because quite simply its another firecracker. Forget any thought of aching melody you might have had because this one is a blistering Deathcore track with an introspective lyrical narrative that absolutely crushes. A fleeting piece of programming and almost ethnic moment add a little stardust before it reaches its bitter end and you can’t help but crack a smile because its a lethal dose of Japanese hatred.

“King Down” is the first cut to not to be graced by a guest and offers a sublime sing-a-long chorus in amongst staccato riff breaks, the five piece sticking to their guns and having fun with it. They’re not afraid to mix up the styles either as the rich melody of the high energy “The Undertow” which features Karl Schubach of Misery Signals demonstrates. A powerful tune with plenty of verve and swagger, it throws back to the 2011 era of the genre and the bands rich heritage with style and grace, the keys at the end offering something of a palate cleansing moment before the title track rears its ugly head. An anthem of epic proportions “The Weight Of Sound” feels like the culmination of the bands entire career in one single entity with a glorious melodic chorus and ambient electronics wrapped in powerful Metalcore riffs and stunning vocal harmonies. Arguably the most elegant cut on the record, its a wonderfully unexpected jaw dropping experiance given the heavier sonic attacks of the earlier tracks. Rising like the serial killers knife the fierce “Crossing Nails” then strikes with the venom of malicious intent, designed to put bounce in the mosh pit while packing a groove laden punch.

Something that Crystal Lake have always had in their armoury is the ability to seamlessly blend contrasting styles and with “Dystopia” they put those skills to the test with one of the most ambitious offerings of the album. Ambient electronics bleed into early Counterparts style Melodic Metalcore that rises and falls gracefully into fleeting yet brutal Deathcore outbursts while Jesse Leach of Killswitch Engage provides a glorious guest vocal. Whats great about his part is that its arguably like nothing you’ve ever heard from him before, something which throws the cat amongst the pidgeons by defying expectations. “Sinner” returns to the thump of the earlier cuts with an introspective lyrical narrative that bleeds Nu-Metalcore as Centorrino gives us yet another anthemic chorus to sing-a-long to. It has to be said that his performances on the album as a whole are incredible as he showcases more a lot more range than we’d heard from him previously and while he isn’t Ryo Kinoshita, he’s a perfect fit for Crystal Lake. Lead guitar parts add a rich melody the punchy “Don’t Breathe“, a track laced with galloping drums and thunderous breakdowns. Its two word steps are cleverly constructed to give it an addictive quality and as the cliche goes, you might find yourself repeating them during the first listen. “Coma Wave” is arguably the track that you might have thought Myke Terry would grace, ethereal sounds wrapping around aching clean vocals and lush piano melodies. The line “it’s time to scratch the itch” is perfectly placed as the push that makes you want to move, the guitars, drums and bass coming crashing down with a brutal wave of unclean vocals to make for as powerful a grand finale as you could have wished for [9/10]

Track Listing

1. Everblack (ft. David Simonich of Signs Of The Swarm)
2. Blüdgod (ft. Taylor Barber of Left To Suffer)
3. Neversleep (ft. Myke Terry of Volumes)
4. King Down
5. The Undertow (ft. Karl Schubach of Misery Signals)
6. The Weight Of Sound
7. Crossing Nails
8. Dystopia (ft. Jesse Leach of Killswitch Engage)
9. Sinner
10. Don’t Breathe
11. Coma Wave

“The Weight Of Sound” by Crystal Lake is out 23rd January 2026 via Century Media