Crystal Lake was born in Tokyo two decades ago, with a few changes in members the band is as tight as ever. Aggy Gillon speaks to the brainchild behind the music Yudai Miyamoto who also plays guitar and vocalist John Roberts who joined the team a few years ago. With a passion for unity and heavy metal, the guys return Download Festival on their quest to spread their music across the globe. We discuss the new album on the horizon and their scary journey to Donnington Park which almost made them miss their set!
So, you guys played earlier. We caught your set. It was absolutely amazing. Did you enjoy it?
John: I had an amazing time. It was my first time playing Download.
When did you join? As you are the new singer aren’t you?
John: Almost two years ago. I started working with them in November 2022. Probably by May 2023, It was official.
So for the rest of you, the last time you played here was 2019?
Yudai: I think so, yeah.
What does Download mean to you guys?
John: It means a lot to me just as a metal fan. I grew up watching this festival so to actually be here is a wild privilege. It’s awesome. I watched Kerry King play from my trailer that’s f*cking sick! *laughs*
Yudai: It’s an honour because everyone knows about this festival. It’s important to spread our music to not only England but to the world.
Your latest single was released May 30th, can you tell us a bit about it?
John: BlüdGod Is pretty much about the struggles we are all having right now. Kind of affording to live. It’s really hard to fill your fridge and feed your kids. People have two, three, or four jobs and they are still broke. It’s really just about that. How there are people kind of pulling the strings taking our hard work, taking our time, taking our energy and taking our life from us. It’s almost like you’re sacrificing your energy to this cash cow that’s literally swallowing the world f*cking hole. Especially since COVID, it’s been insane.
So your last album came out a few years ago…
Yudai: Yeah, Helix in 2019. That was very challenging because we mixed heavy, cinematic and symphonic. I put all my history into the songs. I’m still doing the same things *laughs* but it definitely was challenging. A very close friend did the recording. An American friend Jeff Dan did the mix and mastering.
Seeing as you have just released a new single, will there be a new album coming out soon?
John: Yes. Hopefully early next year. We’re writing it and recording it right now, actually.
Yudai: We recently changed our style. We used to hire an engineer to record but recently we do it ourselves. Everything by ourselves.
That’s awesome. It must make you feel even more proud of it as you have done it all.
John: Yeah and it’s a great use of the budget *laughs*
Yudai: Speaking of mix and mastering, we are still working with Jeff Dan. It’s an honour.
Are you all based in Tokyo?
John: They are based in Tokyo. I’m from Brooklyn, New York but I live in Florida now.
I wasn’t sure what the accent was we were trying to figure it out.
John: Thank you for not saying Boston *laughs* No offence to Boston! *laughs* But you guys know how it is. I’m from Brooklyn, you know the deal! *laughs*
How did you end up joining Crystal Lake?
John: I saw that they needed a singer and I auditioned. I tried to have a couple of my people reach out first but the audition was the route I needed to go. You know, step by step.
What was the inspiration behind starting Crystal Lake?
Yudai: A lot of things. My friends influence me a lot. Sometimes movies. Alcohol *all erupt in laughter* A lot of my friends teach me brand new things and influence me a lot.
You guys have been around for quite some time now, what year was it you started?
Yudai: We started in 2002 but we started officially in 2003. Over twenty years.
Oh, it feels weird that that is over twenty years ago now. Do you have any more UK shows after this?
John: Yes. I would have to look at our laminate to know where we are but we do play with Black Dahlia in Northern Ireland. We have a London show. We have Dublin…
Yudai: I’m so excited to get Guinness or Jameson!
John: I’m getting a Guinness yeah. The first thing I’m gonna drink, I’m getting a Guinness!
Definitely ask the locals where to go to get the best Guinness.
John: I want to go to the Brewery! I would love to go to the Guinness Brewery. Get me a Guinness hat and stuff, lets go *laughs*
What do you envision for the future of Crystal Lake?
John: Less sleep, more shows.
Yudai: I want to write good songs. I want to challenge unknown things. Of course, we want to spread our music to many people. We want to tour everywhere.
Have you been here all weekend or just today?
John: Just today. We had the opportunity to come by yesterday but we have been on tour for two and a half months now so we were very tired. We went to a hotel and someone tried to light us on fire, so maybe we should have come here *laughs*
Wait, what? What happened?
John: So we parked in between two sewage trucks and we think someone thought they were petrol trucks and they lit both of them on fire while we were sleeping between them.
That must have been terrifying!
John: It sucks. The cops made us stay super late. We were up all night giving statements and everything.
So when was that?
John: Not even twenty-four hours ago. It was insane. We thought we were gonna miss the festival because the cops wouldn’t let us leave! We were like we have to go and they were like no you’re not gonna do that.
Well, that sounds absolutely terrifying.
*all laugh*
John: Yeah we were scared for multiple reasons. Dying and almost not playing.
Yudia: It was kind of like a movie thing *laughs* but we are all safe.
Yeah, and you made it!
John: No one got hurt except those poor trucks *laughs*
So are you staying for the rest of the night? If so, anyone in particular you’re going to see?
John: Absolutely. All the bands we want to see are playing on our stage and they are all our friends. I’m having a great time. We watched Until I Wake, those are guys we just met they are sick. Brand Of Sacrifice, Parkway Drive, Shadow Of Intent, Fit For A King, and Black Dahlia Murder, it’s a super amazing stage for music.
Have you got any messages for your fans?
John: The main message of Crystal Lake is stop separating each other. Its very very frustrating. We are all music fans whether we listen to hip hop, country, metal, hardcore, whatever it is. Even if you’re not a music fan we are all on this rock together. Stop pushing each other around. We need to care about each other. A lot of us do a lot of the same things for the same reason and then we try to act like we are all separate and different. Cut it out, life is a party. You will feel so happy with yourself and everything else if you could just hug yourself. That’s what Crystal Lake tries to do for each other.
We love that message. What you said reminded us of the Prince lyrics ‘Life is a party and parties were never meant to last’ so we may as well make the most of it.
John: Yes, right. Exactly. I used to be a really negative person. Seriously, in my old band, I was very negative. I always had this idea that negativity would bring us together. A lot of us are angry. If we can all make each other happy then we are a team.
Interview and photos by Aggy Gillon