REVIEW: Crystal Lake - The Weight of Sound

At last the long awaited seventh full length album by metalcore legends CRYSTAL LAKE is upon us. After the album was first announced in 2024 following their move to Century Media Records, there has been a lot of buildup leading up to this moment. With four of the eleven tracks released already, there’s plenty to look forward to ahead of the album’s release. The lineup for this band has consistently changed over the years, although this is no bad thing. Each time the band evolves whilst keeping the heart and soul of the band’s message intact. After Ryo Kinoshita’s departure in 2022 due to personal reasons, new vocalist JOHN ROBERT CENTORRINO has stepped up to the altar and delivered the calibre expected of a band at this level.

The Weight of Sound is both a rebirth and also a nostalgic celebration to the original CRYSTAL LAKE sound that fans know and love. With this record we see a solid foundation of what the band has achieved so far, and their ability to harness their sound and approach it in a fresh new way. The album hosts a plethora of guest artists including the likes of Jesse Leach (Killswitch Engage), David Simonich (Signs of the Swarm), Taylor Barber (Seven Hours After Violet, Left To Suffer), Myke Terry (Fire from the Gods, Volumes), and Karl Schubach (Misery Signals). Alongside Guitarists YD and MITSURU, bassist TJ, drummer GAKU and vocalist JOHN ROBERT C. we are treated with a stacked set of musicians.

Everblack sets off the album and by no means eases you in gently, with brutal vocals from the start that lead into a punching breakdown. The anthemic voices in the middle bounce off the melody as the brutality returns to end the track. Bludgod featuring Taylor Barber follows, which has no struggle keeping the energy going. The song is teeming with synth-y infused flashes of ground rumbling blast beats by drummer GAKU. 

Tracks Neversleep and King Down contain pounding, unforgiving metalcore goodness helped along by Fire From the Gods vocalist Myke Terry.

The Undertow offers balance, beginning with a melody that fuses into a break of serenity and harmony that bleeds perfectly into the title track, The Weight of Sound. This track is the thematic centrepiece of the album and packs the biggest punch emotionally, there’s something about it that really hits you. The accompanying music video is also worth your time, it highlights the hard work and sacrifices of being away from home for long periods in this career, whilst celebrating the connections created by music between artist and fans. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zNlIGbsbMCA

Crossing Nails hints at a classic style CRYSTAL LAKE melody and its cascading, fuzzy riffs are a standout element. Dystopia showcases a dramatic and atmospheric touch that has impressive and effortlessly cool clean vocals to match. 

Sinner is a multi-layered track that touches on the light and dark, with welcome slower almost anthemic moments. Contrastingly Don’t Breathe contains booming rhythms and mammoth vocals that will leave you breathless. From here the track mellows out to a reflective loop before blooming into the final track. As soon as it starts Coma Wave makes you feel as if you’ve transcended to another dimension, with clean vocals right off the bat joined by a solemn piano. Soon the track crescendos to the metal sound we’re familiar with, though the piano continues as a jazzlike accessory. This is definitely the most experimental track of the album, but it pays off; this is something very unique and special.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eoouUK3JIhk

The Weight of Sound is a strong, powerful album that is absolutely worthy of your time. There’s no mystery as to how these guys receive such international recognition, they are able to create music that emboldens togetherness and harnesses immense energy that reaches fans all over the world.

The Weight of Sound will be released on the 23rd January 2026 via Century Media Records.

Score: 8/10

Words: Danielle Henderson

Photos: Jesse Kojima