Mit Crystal Lake gehört eine der einflussreichsten Metalcore-Bands Japans seit Jahren zur internationalen Szene. Nun steht mit „The Weight of Sound“ das neue Album über Century Media Records in den Startlöchern – zugleich das erste vollständige Studioalbum der Band seit dem Labeldeal 2024. Im Zentrum dieser neuen Phase steht John, der 2023 als Sänger zur Band stieß und dem Sound von Crystal Lake eine neue Stimme verliehen hat. Zwischen brutaler Härte, emotionaler Tiefe und unbändiger Energie spiegelt das Album die Intensität der Band wider, unterstützt von namhaften Gästen wie Jesse Leach, Taylor Barber und Myke Terry. Im Gespräch mit Frontstage Magazine spricht John über seinen Einstieg bei Crystal Lake, die Entstehung von „The Weight of Sound“ und darüber, wie sich diese neue Ära für ihn und die Band anfühlt.
Frontstage Magazine: “The Weight of Sound” features a wide range of guest vocalists from across the metal landscape. How did you decide which artists fit each track, and how did these collaborations influence the final identity of the album?
John: So, 99% of the features are really good friends of mine. Besides that, the Legacy musicians are huge influences of not only myself but also the band. There were a lot of people that we kept thinking about but ultimately it just came down to time and availability
Frontstage Magazine: With John stepping in as the new vocalist, this album marks a new era for Crystal Lake. How did his arrival shape the writing process, emotional direction, and vocal dynamics of the record?
John: I got a big mouth and a lot to say lol.
Frontstage Magazine: The album channels themes of heaviness, vulnerability, and aggression. What personal experiences or inner conflicts most influenced this emotional intensity?
John: God, I don’t think any of us have time to read all that haha. SO MUCH LIFE is the answer lol. I’ve been molested. Kidnapped. Abandoned. Lied too. Bullied. Cheated on. Betrayed. I can go on and on. Life isn’t always easy on you and trauma breeds art.
Frontstage Magazine: Jeff Dune handled mixing and mastering, bringing his signature modern metalcore punch to the record. How did his production style impact the evolution of the new Crystal Lake sound, and were there any creative challenges along the way?
John: Jeff is the man and working with him was a great way to liaison the subtle differences between our 2 music cultures. We all learned a lot. Great dude.
Frontstage Magazine: You’re known for explosive, technically demanding live shows. How much did the live environment influence the songwriting process for “The Weight of Sound”?
John: Entirely, because there are things I can perform as a singer but they are not necessarily things I can perform while I perform in Crystal Lake. lol. So I have to make sure that whatever „I do“ is something that I’m also capable of doing while I hang upside down out of breath LOL
Frontstage Magazine: This is your first full-length album since signing with Century Media Records. In what ways has this new partnership affected your artistic freedom, workflow, or vision for the future of Crystal Lake?
John: We have been lucky enough to sign with a label and a team that allows us to explore our creative depths without it impacting how either of us perceive art.
Fotocredit: Offizielles Promofoto zur verfügung gestellt von Oktober Promotion & Management
