With The Weight of Sound, Crystal Lake delivers a record that is ferocious yet polished, and what I love most is how it explores what “heaviness” really means. Seven albums in, the Tokyo metalcore titans sound sharper and more focused than ever, turning that intensity into what may be their most complete release yet.

Instrumentally, the album is controlled aggression. YD and TJ’s twin-guitar attack thrives on contrast: serrated, palm-muted riffs collide with melodic leads, often within the same passage, creating a constant forward push. Tracks like “Everblack” and “Blüdgod” strike with ruthlessness, driven by tightly coiled breakdowns and relentless rhythmic phrasing, while “The Undertow” draws on the band’s hardcore roots, pairing Karl Schubach’s primal energy with muscular, groove-laden riffing that hits with savage force. On top of that, Mitsuru’s bass and Gaku’s drums hit hard together.

Vocally, John really shines on this record. Collaborations like “Neversleep” with Myke Terry and “Dystopia” with Jesse Leach add intense energy, while all guest vocals fit perfectly within the band’s sound. Yet the true heart of the album lies in its title track, “The Weight of Sound,” which is my personal favourite and the emotional centerpiece of the record. The arrangement opens up to let the melody develop naturally before rising into a powerful chorus. On “The Weight of Sound,” YD said this track has a softer, more contemplative feel compared to the rest of the album. He explains that the “weight” comes not from volume or aggression, but from the idea that every note and sound the band plays together builds their music.

Elsewhere, songs like “Crossing Nails” and “Coma Wave” show that the band is great at mixing emotional tension into technical frameworks, proving that complexity and accessibility are not opposing forces here. “King Down” and “Sinner” deliver straight-up aggression, reminding listeners that Crystal Lake knows how to create strength in focused, hard-hitting music. The production is massive yet articulate, giving every instrument its moment while maintaining the suffocating density that modern metalcore demands.

The Weight of Sound is an album designed to start mosh pits. It shows that Crystal Lake is simply continuing their legacy and that they have a few more decades left before they decide to call it quits. Without a doubt, The Weight of Sound is a superb release!

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Written by Maggie Gogler

Featured image courtesy of Jesse Kojima

The Weight of Soud will be released on January 23rd.

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