Crystal Lake (band)

Crystal Lake
Crystal Lake performing at Full Force in 2019
Crystal Lake performing at Full Force in 2019
Background information
OriginTokyo, Japan
Genres
Years active2002–present
Labels
Members
  • Yudai "YD" Miyamoto
  • Gaku Taura
  • Mitsuru
  • Hisatsugu "TJ" Taji
  • John Robert Centorrino
Past members
  • Seiji Nagasawa
  • Kentaro Nishimura
  • Yusuke Ishihara
  • Yasuyuki Kotaka
  • Teruki Takahashi
  • Shinya Hori
  • Ryo Kinoshita
Websitecrystallake.jp

Crystal Lake is a Japanese metalcore band from Tokyo, formed in 2002. The band comprises vocalist John Robert Centorrino, guitarists Yudai Miyamoto and Hisatsugu Taji, bassist Mitsuru, and drummer Gaku Taura, who is a former member of Nocturnal Bloodlust. After Shinya Hori's departure, Miyamoto is the only member of the original line-up who remains in the band. Crystal Lake have released five studio albums. Their latest studio album, Helix, was released on 28 November 2018.

History

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Formation and first releases (2002–2005)

[edit]

Crystal Lake was formed in 2002 in Tokyo, Japan. Their first demo, Freewill, was released in February in time for the show in Korea which they were invited to by GMC Records. The second demo, One Word Changes Everything, came out in July, and a self-released four-track EP, also entitled Freewill was released in September with 1000 copies made and sold. In September 2003, Crystal Lake played five shows in Japan with Australian band Day of Contempt.

From March to June 2004, they toured with Loyal to the Grave and Extinguish the Fire. Following the end of the tour, the bands released a split album titled Blood of Judas on CD and DVD.

On 29 April 2005, the band released their second split album with Risen and Unboy titled 3 Way Split. They also toured in Malaysia.[1]

Dimension and Taste of Chaos 2007 (2006–2007)

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In February 2006, they performed at Independence D. On 5 July 2006, the band released their first studio album titled Dimension through Imperium Recordings. After the release of the album, they went on "Dimension Tour" in Japan.[2]

In February 2007, they performed at Metal Presentation with Australian band I Killed the Prom Queen and Hatebreed on "Hatebreed Japan Tour" in March.[3][4] In November 2007, they played on Rockstar's "Taste of Chaos" in Japan.[5]

Third split album and Taste of Chaos 2008 (2008–2009)

[edit]

In May 2008, they released their third split album on CD with the Japanese punk band Cleave.[6] In November 2008, they performed again at Rockstar's "Taste of Chaos" in Japan.[7]

In January 2009, they toured in Japan with Parkway Drive and Shai Hulud.[8][9]

Into the Great Beyond and Nishimura's departure (2010–2011)

[edit]

On 27 May 2010, Crystal Lake released free download demo Endeavor on their MySpace page.[10] Crystal Lake also announced through MySpace, Twitter, Facebook and YouTube a new music video "Twisted Fate" from their upcoming second studio album titled Into the Great Beyond. On 11 June 2011, the founding vocalist Kentaro Nishimura left the band.

Line-up change and Cubes (2012–2015)

[edit]

On 24 March 2012, the original drummer Yusuke Ishihara left the band. On 3 July, they announced their new vocalist Ryo Kinoshita on their Facebook page with a statement: "Today, we are pleased to announce the newest addition to the Crystal Lake Family, please give a warm welcome the new vocalist Ryo."[11] The next day, the band announced that Gaku Taura will be their support on drums. They also announced that they were going to release a new single in summer.[12] On 5 September, they released two new singles "The Fire Inside" and "Overcome" which was mixed and mastered by Brian Hood at 456 Recordings.

From 26 January to 1 February 2013, they toured with As Blood Runs Black and Confession. In May 2013, they toured with The Ghost Inside and Continents. After that they shared the stage with Emmure and they toured across Japan on the Sumerian Tour 2013 with Born of Osiris, Upon a Burning Body and Her Name in Blood. Later in 2013, the band went on a supporting tours for Coldrain, Her Name in Blood, Crossfaith, Before My Life Fails, SiM, and Totalfat.

On 9 February 2014, they played at the Scream Out Fest 2014 with The Devil Wears Prada, Periphery, The Word Alive, Fear, and Loathing in Las Vegas, and Her Name in Blood at Shinkiba Studio Coast, Tokyo. On 12 April, they played on the Monster Energy Outburn Tour 2014 with Coldrain, Crossfaith, and Miss May I in Sapporo.

Later in 2014, the band announced that their first EP titled Cubes via YouTube page, is set to release on 6 August 2014.[13] A music video for the new song "Ups & Downs" was released on 28 July. On 4 August, a music video was released for their cover of Limp Bizkit's song "Rollin'". On 6 August, they released the new EP Cubes via Cube Records. Cubes debuted at No. 5 on the Oricon (Japanese music chart) indie weekly album chart, at No. 45 on the weekly album chart and at No. 27 on the daily album chart.

On 8 August, they headlined the "True North Project Tour", with support from Infection, Prompts, Sailing Before the Wind, Scarface, and Shark Ethic. They toured on the Crossfaith's "ACROSS THE FUTURE Tour" with We Came as Romans and While She Sleeps in September.[14] On 25 October, they started their headlining tour "Cubes Tour" 2014. On 15 November, they performed at the Knotfest Japan 2014.[15]

On 3 August 2015, it was announced that bassist Yasuyuki Kotaka had decided to leave the band due to his illness.

Signing to Artery Recordings, The Sign and True North (2015–2017)

[edit]

On 7 September 2015, Crystal Lake announced they had signed to Artery Recordings in the U.S. and JPU Records in the UK and Europe and would be releasing their following third studio album The Sign on 7 October 2015 through these labels. On 30 November 2016, Crystal Lake released their fourth studio album True North. They later released two new singles, "Apollo" and "Machina" in 2017.

Signing to SharpTone Records and Helix (2018–2019)

[edit]

Crystal Lake released the single and accompanying video for "The Circle" on 6 August 2018. The three-track release for The Circle was released on 8 August.[16]

On 28 November, SharpTone Records announced that they had signed Crystal Lake to the label. The band released a new single and accompanying video for the song "Aeon".[17] On the same day, the band released their fifth studio album, Helix, exclusively in Japan with an international release following in 2019. In 2019, Crystal Lake will support August Burns Red, Miss May I, and Fit for a King on "The Dangerous Tour" in North America. In March, the group went on Adept's Russian Tour as a warm up. They also headlined the 2019 "Never Say Die Tour" with In Hearts Wake, King, Our Hollow Our Home, Polar, Alpha Wolf, and Great American Ghost.

The Voyages and departures of Kinoshita and Hori (2020–present)

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On 8 July 2020, the band released a brand new single titled "Watch Me Burn" and its corresponding music video. On 9 July, a day after the new release, the band announced that the founding rhythm guitarist Shinya Hori would be taking a hiatus for personal reasons.[18]

On 3 August, the band re-released their song "Into the Great Beyond" from their second studio album of the same name alongside an accompanying music video. At the same time, the band announced that an album consisting of re-recorded material from their Kentaro Nishimura era, titled The Voyages, which released on 5 August 2020, while also revealing the album cover and the track list.[19] On 21 November, the band officially announced that Hori's hiatus would become a permanent departure due to "personal reasons".[20]

In July 2021, the band released the single "Curse", accompanied by an official music video for the song, uploaded onto their YouTube channel. Along with the music video, it was announced that touring members Gaku Taura, and Mitsuru were made official members of the band. Along with the addition of a new rhythm guitarist, Hisatsugu "TJ" Taji.[21] On 28 September 2022, Ryo Kinoshita announced that he left the band revealing that he has been dealing with an illness known as adjustment disorder that has made it difficult for him to continue with the group. The illness afflicted Kinoshita over the past five years which made him the decision to step away from the group.[22] On 11 March 2023, Crystal Lake announced that they have recruited John Robert Centorrino formerly of The Last Ten Seconds of Life as their new full-time vocalist.[23][24] On 23 June, the band unveiled another single "Rebirth" and its corresponding music video.[25]

Musical style and influences

[edit]

Crystal Lake's musical style has been described as metalcore,[26][27][28] progressive metal,[27][29][30] nu metal,[31][32][33] and deathcore.[34][35]

Members stated that the band are influenced mostly by newer metalcore acts such as Shai Hulud, Earth Crisis and Hatebreed as well as other melodic metalcore bands like The Ghost Inside or Parkway Drive.[36]

Members

[edit]
Timeline

Discography

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Studio albums

[edit]
List of studio albums, with selected chart positions
Title Album details Peak chart positions
JPN
Oricon
[37] 		JPN
Billboard
Dimension
  • Released: 5 July 2006
  • Label: Imperium Recordings
  • Format: CD
 — —
Into the Great Beyond
  • Released: 3 November 2010
  • Label: Imperium Recordings
  • Format: CD
 — —
The Sign 36 32[38]
True North
  • Released:
    • 30 November 2016 (JPN)
    • 2 December 2016 (NA, UK, EU)
  • Label:
  • Formats: CD, LP, digital download
 39 37[39]
Helix
  • Released:
    • 28 November 2018 (JPN)
    • 15 February 2019 (NA, UK, EU)
  • Label:
  • Formats: CD, LP, digital download
 23 19[40]
"—" denotes items which did not chart.

Extended plays

[edit]
List of extended plays, with selected chart positions
Title EP details Peak chart positions
JPN
Oricon
[37] 		JPN
Billboard
Cubes 45 40[41]
"—" denotes items which did not chart.

Split albums

[edit]
List of split albums
Title Album details
Blood of Judas
(with Extinguish the Fire, Loyal to the Grave)
  • Released: 30 October 2004
  • Label: Blood Axe[42]
  • Format: CD
3 Way Split
(with Risen, Unboy)
  • Released: 29 April 2005
  • Label: Alliance Trax[43][44]
  • Format: CD
Crystal Lake / Cleave
(with Cleave)
  • Released: 24 May 2008
  • Label: HGR
  • Format: CD

Compilation albums

[edit]
Title Album details Peak chart positions
JPN
Oricon
[37] 		JPN
Billboard
The Voyages 40 33[45]
"—" denotes items which did not chart.

Singles

[edit]
List of singles, with selected chart positions
Title Year Peak positions Album
JPN
Oricon
[46]
"The Fire Inside / Overcome" 2012 — Non-album singles
"Apollo" 2017 26 Helix
"The Circle" 2018 44 Non-album singles
"Watch Me Burn" 2020 12
"Curse" 2021 50
"Denial / Rebirth" 2023 —
"DYSTOPIA" 2023 —
"—" denotes items which did not chart.

Collaborations

[edit]
Year Song Album Album artist
2012 "Accept Your Fate Now"
(featuring Ryo Kinoshita) 		Seated with Liquor Draw the Emotional & Foreground Eclipse[47]
2013 "Icons"
(featuring Ryo Kinoshita) 		(For)Lorn
(フォーローン) 		Before My Life Fails[48]
"Superhate"
(featuring Ryo Kinoshita) 		Storm Chaser Translations[49]
2015 "Monster"
(featuring Ryo Kinoshita) 		Magna Carta Swanky Dank[50]
"Neo Khaos"
(featuring Ryo Kinoshita) 		Neo Tokyo Rave Style DJ Baku[51]
2016 "Back to Zero"
(featuring Ryo Kinoshita) 		Coexistence Breakdown of Sanity
"Spectrum"
(featuring Ryo Kinoshita) 		Fixed Survive Said the Prophet
2017 "Solace"
(featuring Ryo Kinoshita) 		Ambivalence End These Days[52]
"Kingsglaive"
(featuring Ryo Kinoshita) 		Non-album single Scintilla[53]
"Dreamscape"
(featuring Crystal Lake) 		Dreamscape PhaseOne
2018 "Angelwrath"
(featuring Ryo Kinoshita) 		Spirit Vessel A Scent Like Wolves[54]
2019 "Deathwatch"
(featuring Ryo Kinoshita) 		Deathwatch The Royal[55]
"Atmosphere"
(featuring Ryo Kinoshita) 		Damaged Souls Awake the Dreamer
"Mayday"
(featuring Ryo Kinoshita) 		The Side Effects Coldrain[56]
2020 "Yōkai"
(featuring Ryo Kinoshita) 		Yōkai Within Destruction[57]
"God of Fire"
(featuring Ryo Kinoshita) 		The Path Fit for a King[58]
"Agnes"
(featuring Ryo Kinoshita) 		Non-album single Hills Have Eyes[59]
"Holy Roller"
(new version; featuring Ryo Kinoshita) 		Eternal Blue Spiritbox[60]
"Cibus"
(featuring Ryo Kinoshita) 		Metempsychosis Dexcore[61]
2021 "Remember Me"
(featuring Ryo Kinoshita) 		Burn in the Flood Our Hollow, Our Home[62]
2022 "The Abyss"
(featuring Ryo Kinoshita) 		Oceans Esprit D'Air[63]
"Demon King"
(new version; featuring Ryo Kinoshita) 		Non-album single Brand of Sacrifice[64]
"Ronin"
(featuring Ryo Kinoshita) 		Trinity The Gloom in the Corner[65]

Other appearances

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Music videos

[edit]
Year Song Artist Director Link
2020 "Baseball Bat"[66] SiM Inni Vision [1]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Alliance Trax (31 December 2005). "3 Way Split". Archived from the original on 22 July 2011. Retrieved 28 May 2009.
  2. ^ "Dimension CD". Amazon. 31 July 2006. Retrieved 29 May 2009.
  3. ^ "Crystal Lake with I Killed The Prom Queen". howling-bull.co.jp. 31 January 2007. Archived from the original on 25 June 2009. Retrieved 29 May 2009.
  4. ^ "Crystal Lake performed with Hatebreed". creativeman.co.jp. 1 March 2007. Archived from the original on 6 October 2011. Retrieved 29 May 2009.
  5. ^ "Crystal Lake taste of chaos 2007". smash-jpn.com. 28 October 2007. Archived from the original on 3 December 2008. Retrieved 29 May 2009.
  6. ^ "Split CD with Cleave". crystallake.bigcartel.com. 1 June 2008. Archived from the original on 12 April 2009. Retrieved 29 May 2009.
  7. ^ "Crystal Lake taste of chaos 2008". hurley.jp. 28 October 2008. Retrieved 29 May 2009.[permanent dead link]
  8. ^ "Crystal Lake, Parkway Drive, Shai Hulud Japan Tour 2009". alliance-trax.com. 1 January 2009. Archived from the original on 31 December 2008. Retrieved 29 May 2009.
  9. ^ "Japan Tour 2009". lambgoat.com. 19 November 2008. Retrieved 29 May 2009.
  10. ^ "Endeavor demo 2010". MySpace. 27 May 2010. Retrieved 30 May 2010.
  11. ^ "New vocalist announced". Facebook. 3 July 2012. Retrieved 3 July 2012.
  12. ^ "New Single". crystallakeofficial.tumblr.com. 30 July 2012. Archived from the original on 2 December 2012. Retrieved 30 July 2012.
  13. ^ "Crystal Lake - Cubes". YouTube. 13 June 2014. Archived from the original on 20 December 2021. Retrieved 13 June 2014.
  14. ^ "Across The Future". acrossthefuture.com. 30 May 2014. Archived from the original on 31 May 2014. Retrieved 31 May 2014.
  15. ^ "KNOTFEST JAPAN 2014". knotfestjapan.com. 16 November 2014. Retrieved 16 November 2014.
  16. ^ "Japanese Metalcore Band CRYSTAL LAKE Releases Music Video For 'The Circle'". Blabbermouth.net. 9 August 2018. Retrieved 10 September 2018.
  17. ^ "Crystal Lake Sign with SharpTone Records, Release "Aeon" Music Video". The PRP. 28 November 2018. Retrieved 30 November 2018.
  18. ^ "NEWS: Crystal Lake surprise release 'Watch Me Burn' EP!". Dead Press!. 8 July 2020. Archived from the original on 15 August 2020. Retrieved 2 August 2020.
  19. ^ "Ten years on, Crystal Lake return to 'Into The Great Beyond' with a fresh redux". KillYourStereo. 5 August 2020. Retrieved 2 September 2020.
  20. ^ Crystal Lake [@CrystalLake777] (21 November 2020). "かねてより活動休止をしていたギターのShinyaですが、この度Crystal Lakeを脱退いたしました。Announce that we have parted ways with guitarist Shinya" (Tweet). Archived from the original on 20 April 2022. Retrieved 20 April 2022 – via Twitter.
  21. ^ "Crystal Lake tributes music legends with demonic single "CURSE"". JRock News. 16 July 2021. Retrieved 19 July 2023.
  22. ^ "Vocalist Ryo Kinoshita Announces His Exit From Crystal Lake, Band Holding Open Auditions For New Singer". ThePRP. 28 September 2022. Retrieved 1 October 2022.
  23. ^ "Ex-THE LAST TEN SECONDS OF LIFE Vocalist Joins CRYSTAL LAKE". Metal Injection. 13 March 2023. Retrieved 13 March 2023.
  24. ^ "Crystal Lake『THE LIGHT』Vocal Audition -Season 2- #6". YouTube. 11 March 2023. Retrieved 11 March 2023.
  25. ^ "Crystal Lake's monumental "Rebirth" music video spotlights new vocalist". JRock News. 1 July 2023. Retrieved 19 July 2023.
  26. ^ Viscovi, Sage (2 December 2016). "12 up-and-coming bands from Japan you need to know". Alternative Press. Retrieved 10 December 2017.
  27. ^ a b Sahota, Shalimar (4 September 2017). "CRYSTAL LAKE announce UK tour for October". MyM. Archived from the original on 10 October 2017. Retrieved 10 December 2017.
  28. ^ Gallier, Thea De (31 January 2017). "Crystal Lake - True North album review". TeamRock.com. Retrieved 10 December 2017.
  29. ^ Bryant, Tom (18 August 2014). "Six Pack: Unlikely and unexpectedly good cover versions". TeamRock.com. Retrieved 10 December 2017.
  30. ^ "Crystal Lake is back with a live music video!". Japan Vibe. 22 July 2017. Retrieved 10 December 2017.
  31. ^ Peters, Mark (24 March 2017). "Japanese metal heads Crystal Lake are ready to connect at Hidden Agenda". South China Morning Post. Retrieved 10 December 2017.
  32. ^ Sievers, Alex (20 February 2019). "Crystal Lake – Helix". KillYourStereo. Retrieved 11 December 2019.
  33. ^ Senior, Nicholas (5 March 2019). "Album Review: Crystal Lake – Helix". New Noise. Retrieved 11 December 2019.
  34. ^ Smith-Engelhardt, Joe (13 February 2019). "Crystal Lake – Helix". Exclaim. Retrieved 11 December 2019.
  35. ^ Deilami, Darien (18 January 2019). "CRYSTAL LAKE: HELIX – REVIEW (2019)". New Transcendence. Retrieved 11 December 2019.
  36. ^ Vibe, Japan. "Metalcore heroes – an interview with Crystal Lake's Ryo". Japan Vibe. Retrieved 12 May 2024.
  37. ^ a b c "Crystal Lakeのアルバム" [Crystal Lake albums] (in Japanese). Oricon. Retrieved 9 November 2019.
  38. ^ "Billboard Japan Top Albums Sales | Charts". Billboard Japan (in Japanese). 19 October 2015. Retrieved 9 November 2019.
  39. ^ "Billboard Japan Top Albums Sales | Charts". Billboard Japan (in Japanese). 12 December 2016. Retrieved 9 November 2019.
  40. ^ "Billboard Japan Top Albums Sales | Charts". Billboard Japan (in Japanese). 10 December 2018. Retrieved 9 November 2019.
  41. ^ "Billboard Japan Top Albums Sales | Charts". Billboard Japan (in Japanese). 18 August 2014. Retrieved 9 November 2019.
  42. ^ "Loyal To The Grave / Extinguish The Fire / Crystal Lake – 'Blood Of Judas'". Discogs. Retrieved 10 December 2017.
  43. ^ "Crystal Lake / Risen / Unboy". Discogs. Retrieved 10 December 2017.
  44. ^ "3 Way Split by Crystal Lake / Risen / Unboy". Amazon. Retrieved 10 December 2017.
  45. ^ "Billboard Japan Top Albums Sales". Billboard Japan. 12 August 2020. Archived from the original on 14 July 2021. Retrieved 14 July 2021.
  46. ^ "Crystal Lakeのシングル" [Crystal Lake singles] (in Japanese). Oricon. Retrieved 9 November 2019.
  47. ^ "Accept your fate now". Records Japan (in Japanese). 30 December 2012. Retrieved 30 December 2012.
  48. ^ "Before My Life Fails / フォーローン". Tower Records Japan (in Japanese). 24 April 2013. Retrieved 15 December 2017.
  49. ^ "Translations / Storm Chaser". Tower Records Japan (in Japanese). 12 June 2013. Retrieved 15 December 2017.
  50. ^ "Swanky Dankから新年のご挨拶！Ryoコラボ曲PVお披露目" [New year's greetings from Swanky Dank! Ryo collaboration song PV announcement]. Natalie (in Japanese). 1 January 2015. Retrieved 15 December 2017.
  51. ^ "DJ Baku、新曲MVでCrystal Lake・Ryoと気迫に満ちたセッション" [DJ Baku, a new song MV Crystal Lake · Ryo and a filled session]. Natalie (in Japanese). 18 November 2015. Retrieved 15 December 2017.
  52. ^ "Crystal Lake's Ryo lends his voice to END THESE DAYS on "Solace" music video". Jrock News. 16 October 2017. Retrieved 8 January 2019.
  53. ^ "Final Fantasy XV inspired song from Scintilla, featuring Ryo from CRYSTAL LAKE". Jrock News. 22 November 2017. Retrieved 8 January 2019.
  54. ^ Desantis, Zack (11 April 2018). "Familiar smell, fresh sound on A Scent Like Wolves' 'Spirit Vessel'". Reading Eagle. Archived from the original on 5 May 2019. Retrieved 12 July 2019.
  55. ^ "The Royal – Deathwatch (feat. Ryo Kinoshita of Crystal Lake) (Official Video)". Long Branch Records YouTube Channel. 15 February 2019. Archived from the original on 20 December 2021. Retrieved 12 July 2019.
  56. ^ Mateo, Alex (26 August 2019). "Coldrain Perform "Fire Force" Anime's New Opening Theme Song". Anime News Network. Retrieved 29 August 2019.
  57. ^ "ALBUM REVIEW: Yokai – Within Destruction". Distorted Sound. 18 August 2020. Retrieved 14 October 2020.
  58. ^ "Listen To Fit For A King's Crushing New Single, God Of Fire". Kerrang!. 10 July 2020. Retrieved 11 July 2020.
  59. ^ "LISTEN: Hills Have Eyes: Neuer Song mit Crystal Lake-Frontmann Ryo Kinoshita". More Core. 2 November 2020. Retrieved 2 November 2020.
  60. ^ "LISTEN: Spiritbox's Crushing Version Of 'Holy Roller' Featuring Crystal Lake's Ryo Kinoshita". Rock Sound. 2 October 2020. Archived from the original on 2 November 2020. Retrieved 29 October 2020.
  61. ^ "DEXCORE joined by Ryo (Crystal Lake) for heavy "Cibus" music video". JRock News. 2 October 2020. Retrieved 15 November 2020.
  62. ^ "News: Our Hollow, Our Home Announce New Album, Release 'Remember Me (feat. Ryo Kinoshita)'". New Noise. 12 February 2021. Retrieved 11 June 2021.
  63. ^ "Esprit D'Air to collaborate with members of The Sisters of Mercy and Crystal Lake in new album Oceans". Metal Planet Music. 7 January 2022. Retrieved 22 January 2022.
  64. ^ "LISTEN: BRAND OF SACRIFICE Crushing Version Of 'Demon King' Featuring Crystal Lake's Ryo Kinoshita". Believe Music. 25 May 2022. Retrieved 25 May 2022.
  65. ^ "The Gloom In The Corner-Ronin feat. Ryo Kinoshita". SharpTone Records. 27 July 2022. Retrieved 27 July 2022.
  66. ^ "SiM brings together 25 bands in "Baseball Bat" music video, from 5th album". Jrock News. 4 June 2020. Retrieved 4 June 2020.
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