Formed in Japan at the dawn of the millennium, Crystal Lake is a melodic metalcore outfit from Tokyo whose hard-hitting sound weaves in progressive and nu metal textures. Anchored in the ferocious intensity of mid-nineties hardcore, the group revolves around its central trio of vocalist Ryo Kinoshita, lead guitarist Yudai Miyamoto, and rhythm guitarist Shinya Hori. After issuing an array of demos, split releases, and EPs, the band delivered its debut full-length Dimension in 2006 on Imperium Recordings. A split-LP with Austrian rockers Cleave surfaced in 2008, the same year the ensemble shared high-profile Japanese stages with Parkway Drive and Shai Hulud. Its second album, The Great Beyond, arrived in 2011, followed by the Cubes EP in 2014. In 2015 the band signed with Artery Records in the United States and JPU Records for Europe and the U.K., issuing its third long-player The Sign; True North followed the next year. For its fifth studio album, the hard-driving Helix, Crystal Lake moved to Sharptone Records in 2018.
