CRYSTAL LAKE
「HELIX」
It’s been 2 years since CRYSTAL LAKE released his previous album called 「TRUE NORTH」(released on 2016, November 30th). As said in the song「Light Up the Tunnel」(CRYSTAL LAKE – Album「The Sign」released on 2015, October 7th), « With a purest passion, there is no turning back, with a pen and your blood, take your life back », all that surrounds and envelopes you in this life is an image of the eternal life, a profound lesson explained through metaphors and abstract language so that it may be understood.
In this new opus, CRYSTAL LAKE tackles various themes, asking us for a reflection that would seek to discern the world view and the signs of the presence of the Lord in the practicalities of life. The main topics are rooted more in the realm of Science-Fiction, related to the single and title song「Apollo」(released on 2017, October 11th), approaching the religious cult into music with「The Circle」(Single, released on 2018, August 8th), and also working on systems dependent on human machination, but devoid of human emotions, reminding the song「Machina」.
「HELIX」
« I am the one above all. Every living thing will spiral into dust. Helix. »
We can notice in this album that the music and vocal mastery are technically a notch above everything.
HELIX means spiral. A double Helix is the structure of a DNA molecule, with two types of helical ladders, the shape like two curving lines twisted together that is made by two spiral strands (strings) of DNA (the chemical that controls each cell). That DNA, spirally continued, build a human body.
HELIX represents the circle of life. The circle is the most common symbol of universal significance. It’s one of the first forms traced by humans. It has neither beginning nor end, which makes it a universal symbol of eternity, perfection, divinity, infinity…
If I want to take this logic further, there is also a direct link to the previous release,「The Circle」. This song is represented by an Ouroboros, a snake eating its own tail, symbolizing the cyclic Nature of the Universe, creation out of destruction, life out of death.
On the intro of the song「THE CIRCLE」during Live performances, CRYSTAL LAKE recently introduced the practice of a Triangle by asking everyone in the audience to form a triangle shape with their hands. The triangle represents the psychic soul and the circle represents the spirit. The constitution of the circle in the triangle creates the human being (human body).
Photo by John Gyllhamn
The summit of the Triangle is a fine peak that stretches to infinity and indicates the direction of the sky, in other words, the spiritual world.
The Music Video「THE CIRCLE」has also an Egyptian connotation that can also refer to the triangle as a pyramid, symbol of ancient Egypt, which is a symbol of its power in their time period and its strong religious beliefs.
CRYSTAL LAKE – 「THE CIRCLE」Feat. Masato of COLDRAIN
We can also notice the triangle in「AEON」Music Video which is represented in the « A » of the name « AJ Rebollo » (Gt/Vo. ISSUES) who is featuring on the song.
「AEON」 (Feat. AJ Rebollo from ISSUES)
「AEON」means life or an indefinite and very long period of life (lifespan) in the sense of forever, timeless or eternity; A power existing from eternity, an emanation or phase of the supreme deity. The term « aeon » can be used in reference to a period of a billion years (especially in geology, cosmology or astronomy) and Earth’s history.
As a reference to the title, CRYSTAL LAKE challenges the theory of relativity. As a result, space and time were interwoven into a single continuum known as space-time. For example, when the time expands, the space contracts, so the way of capturing time also changes depending on the speed. These are what CRYSTAL LAKE tried to catch with sounds through the music, lyrics, and images (「AEON Feat. AJ」 Music Video). CRYSTAL LAKE is now projecting into a digital future.
The main source of inspiration that emerges from the Aeon Music Video is the similarity, or should I say the representation of one of the most famous references in the world of Western art, a fresco painting by Michelangelo called « The Creation of Adam ».
God on the right, and Adam on the left
The image represents the near-touching hands of God and Adam (yet it is impossible for Adam to reach and touch the finger of the divine). This scene has become iconic for humanity. It’s a depiction of the moment in which God grants a spark of life onto Adam, creating the first man. The symbolism behind the hands is that even though Adam is created in god’s image, they are not of the same realm or level, as would be two humans shaking hands, for instance.
« Install thy kingdom of glory, We are the servants of holy »
In AEON Music Video, the roles are somehow reversed; Ryo (Vo. CRYSTAL LAKE) being in the place of God, and the robot (machine) instead of Adam. Everything is fine until you pay attention to their positions. Indeed, in the painting, God is above Adam, God representing the divine power giving life to Adam, but not only him, to all mankind. But in the Music Video, it’s the robot (machine) that is superior to Ryo; God creating humans and humans creating the machine that surpasses and controls humans.
This gesture linking Adam to God has become reused in other works in a derived or parodic form like for example in the movie « E.T. the alien » (1982).
Related to the painting, some people believe the god’s entourage represents a pretty accurate depiction of the human brain. It might simply be suggesting that our brain is a piece or extension of God. Or, more provocatively, he might be suggesting that God is the creation and projection of the human brain. We can also notice the brain in AEON Music Video which is controlled by computers/machines.
« Coded by prayers of emptied souls,
Controlled by plastic signs and templated hearts »
Others say that it’s, in fact, a uterus.
« Behold the virgin spawning the filth of the human race,
From her womb prolonged by machines. »
Also, the illusion of being controlled by time and emotions maintains a psychotic delirium.
For example, another very human emotion that is linked to creativity is the melancholy. An area of the brain is the emotional counterpart of the human soul which is sometimes activated when a sad thought is experienced.
The message seems to be that consciousness is the true gift that a creator can give its creation.
CRYSTAL LAKE -「AEON」 (Feat. AJ Rebollo from ISSUES)
「AGONY」
Agony means extreme mental or physical suffering.
« I have seen when the nemesis finds out,
Only thing ruling love must be fear,
So push away,
Push away everything you are,
Push away every living feeling you got »
Through the lyrics, Ryo evokes Nemesis, the goddess of retribution and vengeance. In a generic way, a nemesis means the worst enemy of a hero in a work of fiction. There is also a ritual called Nemesia; Its purpose was to avoid the nemesis of the dead, who were supposed to have the power to punish life if their worship had been neglected in any way.
The lyrics run into a loop at the start and end of the song and spirals in time (Helix).
「+81」
It’s an anti-party song, like bands who pretend to be cool because they are partying, but it’s also a superficial attitude, so Ryo just tried to make fun of it though the lyrics.
「+81」is the Japan country code which allows you to call Japan from another country.
The number 81 is also a combination of the vibrations of the number 8 and number 1. Number 8 relates to karma (spiritual law of cause and effects), and number 1 promotes creativity and creation, new beginnings, self-leadership, and assertiveness, striving forward and progress.
« I’m self made and I know cause I’m jaded,
Now I’ve taken control,
I’m self made and I know cause I made it,
Watch your back against the world,
Where the city never sleeps for us »
This number holds a powerful divine message that can transform life. It carries positive energies that can influence life in a good way. The meaning of the « + » (« plus ») in front of the number can be interpreted as « positive ».
This number is also called angel number that means a period of realizations. For example, the past few months have gone by in a blur and there were so many things that happened that you wish you can take back; It will encourage you to accept the hard truths of life and be okay with them.
Although Crystal Lake doesn’t talk about political problems, this song seems to oppose 2 ideas rather than 2 political parties, probably the balance between the positive vibes as self-leadership and the negative one through the anger and desire of revenge.
« Apeshit!
Apeshit! »
« Apeshit » is a state of anger and rage that produces behavior more closely resembling that of an enraged ape than a human (from the habit of enraged apes of flinging their own feces at their object of anger).
« Godzilla every day back in Tokyo,
Cause the mark of the beast has been carved right upon me »
The original Japanese name of Godzilla is ゴジラ (Gojira). It is formed from a combination of two other Japanese words : ゴリラ (gorira, gorilla) and 鯨 ( くじら, kujira, whale). This name described Godzilla as a cross between a gorilla and a whale.
Godzilla is the embodiment of violence and hatred for mankind because he was created by atomic energy. He carries this rage within him because of his origins. He’s like a symbol of humanity’s complicity in their own destruction. He doesn’t have emotion. He is an emotion.
「LOST IN FOREVER」 Feat. Daniel McWhorter & Tyler Riley from GIDEON
The theme of this song is about this abstract thing called « time » that makes us think about eternity and live as if we could live forever.
« We’re lost in the moment that we’ve called forever »
It’s about this impermanence of life that we are so deeply afraid of. But every bubble is born to burst, I think it’s just a matter of life.
The resulting encounter between time and eternity makes us acknowledge the fact that death is inevitable. During this period of transition, we have to learn how to live in the world, as well as know-how to die to this world, and when the time comes, know to awaken to eternity.
Although the time is an abstract measure, it’s the best indicator of time use at the aggregate level. It’s hard to get into the concept of the sun, dream, time, eternity, memory, space, purity and innocence. This is the reason why Ryo (Vo. CRYSTAL LAKE), through the lyrics, makes it a little more manageable and friendlier.
Therefore, we are making meetings and partings, but in spite of that, life ends. To build such strong bond with people in a such amount of time makes the separation difficult. But the feelings that connect people seem to be tied firmly.
Likewise, happy and sad moments are transient and bound to end, but still living though inside somewhere in a corner of the heart that we call « forever ». And it will never change and will last forever.
If you look back, are you really satisfied with your achievements over the past years? Do you have any regrets? Do you have any dreams that you haven’t yet fulfilled? What should I do now?
« If I finish what I started,
What will I have to lose,
You’re the scar in my heart,
Living proof of my youth,
When will I ever again or never again,
Will our heart beat synchronize again? »
We are all facing such moments in life that allows us to project ourselves into the universe of this song.
It may just be an anecdote, but this song comes as a result of the meeting between CRYSTAL LAKE and GIDEON (USA). They met for the first time in Japan in July 2017 at the「BLOODAXE TOUR 2017」, they hit it off right from the start, became close friends and called each other « Family Forever ». From that time forward, both were already related to the notion of time passing.
They shot the Music Video of the song in Shibuya (Tokyo) when GIDEON came back to Japan on the occasion of the「BLOODAXE TOUR 2018」.
CRYSTAL LAKE – 「LOST IN FOREVER」
Feat. Daniel McWhorter & Tyler Riley from GIDEON
「OUTGROW」
This song represents a beautiful and cruel image of the dream with lyrics that fit inhumanity.
There is a gap between the beauty of the melody and the cruelty of words. Sometimes it’s the tone, facial expression or body language that let you know. Here, Ryo plays with words and twists them around. Also, the « vocal riding » is like a bunch of beats. The gap of the magnificence by the mid-tempo of the music in contradiction with the lyrics seems to be part of the game.
« Would you understand what makes the world go around,
You think you do,
You really don’t with a mind of a hypocrite,
If you can’t understand what I’m singing on this track,
You’d shut your fucking mouth and get over it »
If you just get rocked by the music, you will probably think that the translucency of this song is beautiful. But if you look at the lyrics, you will say « Did you really say all of these things? ».
「RITUAL」
Despite the depth of the themes covered and more sharpened music, CRYSTAL LAKE doesn’t forget where they belong, the stage. This track is carving out for Live performances.
CRYSTAL LAKE describes the band with a metaphor as a cult praying the music like a god. They spread the word all over the world and gradually infect people by leading them into music.
This track has something savage, especially through the « OOH! », and remembers me of the « jungle law ». In other words, and contrary to what it suggests, there is no law in the jungle. The social customs and unwritten rules are about to be ignored.
From an animal point of view, it’s something like the biggest most vicious tiger gets to be the alpha male, eats first after every hunt, and claims the most sexual rights.
From a human point of view, it’s something like an ability to lead others, being a successful speaker that can persuade people with his logic and not being afraid of confrontations.
So, it means declaring jungle law is simply declaring anarchy and doing what you want, which are also the key words during concerts.
Moreover, this song also makes me remember « Down With The Sickness » from the American band Disturbed. There is something similar to the « OOH! » and the intention emerging from the lyrics « Get up, come on get down with the sickness ».
DISTURBED – 「DOWN WITH THE SICKNESS」
「HAIL TO THE FIRE」
Then, we go on logically with this song full of good feelings which are probably the most expected song for the Live performances.
There is a feeling like « Just free your mind and let’s dance together in the flames of hell » that comes to my mind listening to this song.
« Dance in the pit and hail to the fire! »
Remembering the essence of rough metal from the ’80s and ’90s, we can clearly hear the inspiration of that time remitted into Crystal Lake’s roots.
Ryo opted for coined words like「Zomba Zomba」which has no meaning, but easy for everyone to say and remember, whether you know or not Crystal Lake.
From a historical perspective, the ancient practice of fire rituals was used for healing and purification in a sacred way. A fire ceremony can be used to release unwanted energies and attachments from the past and make space for new intentions; To release unhappy memories, fears, negative emotions, and anything that you are holding onto that doesn’t serve you.
Fire can heat your food or burn down your house. It is a force of destruction, creation and purification. We can be engulfed in flames or on fire with inspiration. It can be used in positive ways to enrich our connection with the divine.
« Cleans down your soul keep anger in stored,
Fools are enslaved by the self involved,
Faking smiles for ill desires,
They’re ignorant being with no sense of shame »
CRYSTAL LAKE -「HAIL TO THE FIRE」
「DEVILCRY」
One of Crystal Lake strengths is to be able to touch on topics arise from imagination, or to deal with current topics, daily living or present moments.
From the first verse, we understand that the lyrics of this song are addressed to people who suffered from the heartbreaking loss of loved ones [Unfortunately, Shinya (Gt. CRYSTAL LAKE) recently lost his mother].
« We say goodbye like a thousand times,
Until it gets to the one that’s closest to you,
Even the devil cried watching his mother fly away »
In the anime/manga Fullmetal Alchemist, the protagonist Edward Elric rattled off a list to bring humans back to life by proving that science (in the form of Alchemy) can create people by a formula (the composition of the average human body).
Additionally, as understood in the Fullmetal Alchemist universe, humans are comprised alchemically of three major parts: the body, the mind, and the soul. It has been stated that, broken down to its basest components, the average adult human body is comprised of Water (35 L), Carbon (20 kg), Ammonia (4 L), Lime (1.5 kg), Phosphorous (800 g), Salt (250 g), Saltpeter (100 g), Sulfur (80 g), Fluorine (7.5 g), Iron (5 g), Silicon (3 g) and fifteen traces of other elements.
I guess this is what Ryo deciphers and transcribes into lyrics, if only we could have the power to make people we love relive.
« If I mix a bit of water carbon salt and sulfur,
Add a tad of lime and iron,
Trace of phosphorus with the rest of it,
Would you spirit come back to the flesh I made? »
Edward Elric / Fullmetal Alchemist
The soul (but often referred to as the spirit), on the other hand, is a component apparently unique to humans in the Fullmetal Alchemist universe. While a human remains alive, however, the body and soul are connected by an entity known as the mind.
The soul is the incorporeal and supposedly eternal part of a human which contains emotional attributes that separate entirely from the physical body at death. After all, death is proof of our existence.
CRYSTAL LAKE – 「DEVILCRY」
「JUST CONFUSING」
« Is it mentally abusing or abusing your mentality ? »
No doubts that this short track is the biggest surprise of this new album.
Ryo stages something like a psychotic delirium with madness in his way of singing. Or should I say psychedelic? (which means « mind-manifesting »).
Before, the desired effect was related to drugs which bring about a hallucinogenic, spiritual trip (such as LSD) and had a strong effect on the mind.
More commonly now, the term is used to describe things that seem to recreate or reflect the experience of altered consciousness. This term is somewhat synonymous with « trippy ».
That’s the reason it’s usually applied to art and music that uses a strange or non-standard signature.
In this album, Ryo wants to express more personal things through the lyrics, like his personal struggle, depression and confusing time, something like an undulating of extreme and abnormal emotions.
「APOLLO」
Therefore, the addition of Apollo in「HELIX」was inevitable, this song including all the themes covered by CRYSTAL LAKE in this album. Crystal Lake established a close link between his worldview and how to express it in various musical ways.
Apollo is the God of prophecy, medicine, music, art, law, beauty, and wisdom. Later he also became the god of the sun and light. Apollo 11 was also the name of the spaceflight which landed the first man on the moon.
« I want it all space time in sync,
Life intertwines my desires in sonic speed,
So we lift from the ground,
Blasting off much higher and higher we go »
CRYSTAL LAKE is still majoring in the heavy stuff this time trying to balance the song with a more sensuous part through harmonic vocals and slow main riffs to fit an emotional feeling.
In the music video, CRYSTAL LAKE is enshrouded by the galaxy colors which is sequenced in three main features: the red sequence (elliptical galaxies), the blue cloud (blue galaxies, spirals), and the green valley (underpopulated space known of red spirals). The touch of sensuality can be clearly noticed by the sparkle of purple/pink lights.
We can see a big eye at the beginning of the video which can represent the world vision of CRYSTAL LAKE; The band members walking and exploring the world around. The music video ends with Ryo who is praying in front of the vastness of the earth and seas.
CRYSTAL LAKE -「APOLLO」
「SANCTUARY」
It’s on this logical conclusion that this new album ends with this song called「Sanctuary」; As if we walk this pilgrimage of faith together heading to the sacred precinct.
« The crown of thorns »
The crown of thorns (thorny plant) was placed on the head of Jesus during the events leading up to his crucifixion, the red bracts of the flowers representing his blood. It was one of the instruments of the Passion, employed by Jesus’ captors both to cause him pain and to mock his claim of authority.
Here, the lyrics express the belief that you don’t want to bend. The meaning is that, no matter what happens, even if the environment change, CRYSTAL LAKE doesn’t feel affected by that. They will keep doing as they have always done until the present time, and it will never change.
« This crown of thorns,
Wound like a snake,
Forever it’ll give me a peace of mind »
« This crown of thorns wound like a snake » can also be a reminder of the snake Ouroboros which is symbolized in the song「The Circle」.
Finally, the album ends the way it began, like a circle.
To conclude, CRYSTAL LAKE takes a further leap in this New album「HELIX」. They tried to add new elements to their music without forgetting the Metal essence of their roots. CRYSTAL LAKE’s worldview is their main asset.
It’s really amazing to hear that a song evolves naturally from the other; there is a logical follow-up. Just imagine how difficult it must be to perform this new album Live according to such a technical level, the amazing changes in tone of Ryo’s voice and the various changes of speed.
CRYSTAL LAKE is putting all of themselves into their work, infusing it with their passion and emotions.
Metal lovers or not, we are all facing such moments in life that allow us to project ourselves into their universe.
Thank you so much to CRYSTAL LAKE for this masterpiece which is definitely the best release of the year.
[REVIEW]
CRYSTAL LAKE
New Album
「HELIX」
(Released on 2018, November 28th)
Review by Gaëlle GEDDA
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Gaëlle GEDDA 