[INTERVIEW] ANNALYNN Bon (Vo.) x CRYSTAL LAKE Ryo (Vo.) by Gekirock Magazine Dec. 2017

ANNALYNN is a Thai metalcore band who first came to Japan at Crystal Lake‘s「TRUE NORTH FESTIVAL」held on 2017, October 21st. Ryo Kinoshita from Crystal Lake is a guest vocalist on the song「Never Coming Down」on the debut album「Stare Down The Undefeated」released on 2017, December 6th. Both bands are aware of each other because they ensure the smooth running of the metal scene in each other’s own country, but this time on the day of「TRUE NORTH FESTIVAL」, BON (Vo.) from ANNALYNN and Ryo from CRYSTAL LAKE allowed us to have a talk beyond the border. We asked them to talk about their encounter and mutual impressions and about the Thai music scene just before the performance.

ANNALYNN: BON (Vo)
Crystal Lake: Ryo (Vo)
Interview: Ryosuke Arakane
English Translation: Gaëlle Gedda

Gekirock Mag: This time, at the「TRUE NORTH FESTIVAL」hosted by CRYSTAL LAKE (held at Shinkiba STUDIO COAST on 2017, October 21st), we will talk about ANNALYNN’s first visit to Japan. Could you tell me more about your first encounter?
Ryo (Vo. CRYSTAL LAKE): I’m participating in a song called「Never Coming Down」in ANNALYNN‘s「Stare Down The Undefeated」. I suddenly got a mail from him saying, « Please, feature as Guest Vocalist », but of course I knew them beforehand. And I thought he would be a great guy around the exchange. When I went to Thailand for the first time, It was always clear and very good. That’s why we called them, we are not just returning the invitation back, but because we want to take care of them.

Gekirock Mag: What’s a great guy?
Ryo: Even though he is a tattooed brother (laughs). Thai people are all smiling and positive. The expression is completely different on stage and daily life, so I felt sympathy there as well.

« There weren’t many bands in Asia being in touch with us, so we were really happy about the offer. I was shocked by their sound » (Ryo)

Gekirock Mag: So that’s it. How did BON know about Crystal Lake?
BON (Vo. ANNALYNN): I did research on my own and the Japanese bands I found were Crossfaith, HER NAME IN BLOOD, and CRYSTAL LAKE. So when I was working on the album, I wanted to include guest vocals, and one of them was decided to be Jonathan Vigil of THE GHOST INSIDE, but I was also drawn to Ryo‘s singing voice. The concept of this song「Never Coming Down」Feat. Ryo Kinoshita of CRYSTAL LAKE) is based on the sunset itself, so the desire to perform with Asian bands has grown stronger. So I sent a passionate love call to Ryo.

Gekirock Mag: How did Ryo feel when he received the offer?
Ryo: I knew the band originally, and it’s the most popular metalcore band in Thailand, so I was happy. There weren’t many bands in Asia being in touch with us, so we were really happy about the offer. I was shocked by their sound.

Gekirock Mag: Did you feel something that was compatible with your musicality?
Ryo: That’s right.

Gekirock Mag: Where is BON attracted to Crystal Lake’s musicality?
BON: Everything (laughs). I think musicians need to constantly update and grow. There was a lot of determination that resonated even from that part.

Gekirock Mag: ANNALYNN was founded in 2003. What kind of music did you start playing with in the first place?
BON: A metalcore band. I like Swedish Death Metal… I think the music of ANNALYNN and CRYSTAL LAKE is very close.
Ryo: The year of formation is the same as ANNALYNN. He was influenced by the Nordic and Swedish Melodic Death Metal bands at the time but said that he had a New-school Hardcore foundation. Music that mixes Nordic bands with Hardcore is also the origin of the Metalcore.

Gekirock Mag: The musical background is similar. Can you tell me which bands influenced you?
BON: I like DEFTONES. I also listen to hip hop like N.W.A. and BEASTIE BOYS, and I also like AS I LAY DYING and TERROR. Even when listening in various ways, the influence of MISERY SIGNALS may be the biggest. I still like it now.

Gekirock Mag: Who are the vocalists that influenced you?
BON: I like Karl Schubach, the vocalist from「Mirrors」of MISERY SIGNALS.
Ryo: Karl is powerful.

Gekirock Mag: Listening to hip hop is also common with Crystal Lake.
Ryo: That’s right. Basically, everyone listens to everything.
BON: Yeah, right.

Gekirock Mag: So, what is the current state of the metalcore scene in Thailand?
BON: Talking about metalcore bands, LAST FIGHT FOR FINISH, NOBUNA and other young bands are working hard. So, it’s like running through the top towards a major… If you mention a band like ONE OK ROCK in Thailand, it will be around SWEET MULLET, RETROSPECT which came to Japan during this time.

Gekirock Mag: Is the metalcore scene in Thailand active?
BON: Umm, unfortunately, not very much. Seven years ago, about 500 to 700 people gathered in a live house in the underground, but now only about 50 to 100 people have gathered, and the scene has been depressed in recent years. The number of bands is decreasing and the audience is getting smaller. The band scene is much smaller, partly due to the rise of EDM and Techno music.

Gekirock Mag: In that sense, is there a strong desire to stir up the Thai metalcore scene?
BON: That’s right. Naturally, there is always a desire to keep the passion going and keep the scene exciting, just like the bands that appear today.

Gekirock Mag: Both bands have toured around the world. What do you feel is different from your own country?
Ryo: I feel that people in every country are moving with pure passion. Even if they don’t know how to manage the Mosh, whether they know or not the songs, it’s a more direct emotion. Especially in Thailand. When Crystal Lake first went, there were a lot of people watching the band for the first time, so I felt like I wasn’t sure how to react, but at the end, it was really exciting. I thought that people were listening to music with feelings.

Gekirock Mag: Which countries have had unusual reactions so far?
Ryo: When I went to Indonesia, there were people who stood on the fence for a long time and I thought that it was annoying (laughs), but I was really happy.
BON: I’ve been to Singapore, Vietnam, Hong Kong, Taiwan, and China so far, but everywhere was a different response. Among them, the people in Taiwan had a very good reaction. This time, we will be playing in Japan for the first time, but maybe Japan will be number one. This is a personal opinion, but coming to Japan is the biggest goal of any Asian band. Maybe other Asian bands want to come to Japan.

Gekirock Mag: Does the Japanese music scene seem attractive and mature in Asia?
Ryo: How does it look… Taiwan has a deep Deathcore scene, and China has more Djent and technical metalcore than Japan. In total, Japan has many overseas bands coming to Japan, so the metal scene itself may look big in the sense that customers know various bands. So, it seems to be enviable.

Gekirock Mag: What was the impression of Japan as seen by BON?
BON: Actually, this is my second visit to Japan. The first time I came privately, and at that time I bought a Crystal Lake CD at TOWER RECORDS.
Ryo: Hahahaha (laughs).
BON: I like CDs. I also love Japanese food, so I ate various things. My favorite is fresh fish. I like wasabi and sushis.

Gekirock Mag: Then, as I mentioned at the beginning, can you tell us about the situation when Ryo participated in「Never Coming Down」on ANNALYNN’s「Stare Down The Undefeated」?
Ryo: I got the song data, and I did a vocal recording with two engineers in Japan. I was told, « I like your vocal style, so feel free to do it the way you want » (laughs). At that time we had never met directly. Of course, as expected, I immediately connected with him the first time we met. Even when I listened to the song, I did everything I could at that time.

Gekirock Mag: How did BON feel listening to the song?
BON: It was really great when I heard the sound source with Ryo‘s vocals. His singing voice was powerful and he didn’t say anything!

Gekirock Mag: ANNALYNN’s『Stare Down The Undefeated』is very complete, and if you like metalcore or Crystal Lake, you should check it out.
Ryo: No doubt.
BON: Thank you for today!

The first Japanese album of Thai No.1 metalcore band ANNALYNN who came to Japan for the first time for the「TRUE NORTH FESTIVAL 2017」hosted by Crystal Lake. The first thing that catches your ears is the vocal that is audacious and fierce. The voice quality that doesn’t go all the way to the end is somewhat melancholic which is also a natural attraction. The bluesy intro「Black Cloud」is a calm song with a drama of static and dynamic.「Dead Weight」features Jonathan (Vo) of THE GHOST INSIDE, and「Never Coming Down」features Ryo (Vo) of Crystal Lake. Also, only the Japanese Edition comes with two bonus tracks. Check out the latest release from this year!