NEWS: Crystal Lake are the hammer, God is the nail?

Currently preparing for six August shows in Germany and Denmark in the next few days Japanese Nu-Metalcore institution Crystal Lake have shared a brand new single. “Crossing Nails” is only their second since inking a deal with new label home Century Media last May but there is a full album pencilled in for release in early 2026. When it does appear, the album will mark the first after three years with vocalist John Robert Centorrino, formerly of The Last Ten Seconds Of Life at the helm.

Vocalist John Robert Centorrino shares: “I have a very love//hate relationship with God and the church. Growing up in a super religious household and going to two Catholic schools – I saw first hand how they use God as a weapon of control. I needed people to be there for me. To save me from myself. To love me.. and they were never there. They made me fear & hate something I should have loved. Fear is not love. Hate is not power. Control is not faith. Believe in YOURSELF. Love YOURSELF. Control YOURSELF. Faith is not a weapon – it’s peace. Crossing Nails.”

Guitarist Yudai “YD” Miyamoto adds: “With this track, we’ve kept the heaviness that’s always been core to our sound, but brought the straight, speedy riff work to the forefront and wrapped the whole song in a more catchy structure. We also experimented with rhythmic and groove elements that haven’t really appeared in Crystal Lake’s music before, allowing us to explore a new kind of expression. By blending parts of my personal musical background into the song in a playful way, I think we managed to mix that classic hardcore and metal vibe in a fresh and exciting form. ‘Crossing Nails’ is a new kind of hybrid song that combines explosive live energy with a strong sense of unity everyone can enjoy. Hope you feel that when you hear it!”