What makes Helix by Crystal Lake notable?

Upon its release, 'Helix' received critical acclaim and debuted at number 1 on the Oricon Albums Chart, solidifying Crystal Lake's status within the Japanese music industry. The album showcased their evolution in sound, blending various influences and resonating with both old fans and new listeners alike. By the time 'Helix' was released in November 2018, Crystal Lake had established themselves as a prominent force in the metalcore scene, particularly in Japan. This album followed their breakthrough record 'True North' from 2017, where they gained international attention for their sonic intensity and emotional depth.

Helix works well if you're into intense bursts of energy, short tracks for quick engagement and ferocious riffs with flair.

How many songs are on Helix?

Helix has 14 tracks, running approximately 43 minutes.

Helix

Crystal Lake · 2018

43 min · 14 tracks · metalcore

A blistering fusion of melodic metalcore and aggressive breakdowns that challenges the boundaries of genre conventions.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Agony — This track encapsulates the emotional weight of the album with its dynamic shifts between melody and aggression, showcasing the band's versatility.
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Hail To The Fire — With its relentless energy and powerful chorus, this song exemplifies Crystal Lake's ability to merge catchy hooks with heavy instrumentation.
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Lost In Forever — The blend of atmospheric elements and crushing riffs creates a haunting backdrop for introspective lyrics, making it a standout example of their lyrical depth.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

60 /100

Treeline

Higher than 66% of albums we've rated

Helix blends aggressive metalcore with melodic elements, showcasing strong craft and composition but with some unevenness in flow.

What we noticed

The first half of the album features high-energy tracks with aggressive riffs and rapid tempo changes, while the second half introduces more melodic elements and slower breakdowns.
Several tracks incorporate clean vocals alongside harsh screams, creating a dynamic contrast that enhances emotional impact.

Composition 25% of the score: 7/10
Craft 20% of the score: 8/10
Durability 25% of the score: 6/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 7/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 6/10

Influence 4/10

Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Is this for you?

Good fit if you like

intense bursts of energy
short tracks for quick engagement
ferocious riffs with flair
cathartic release through aggression

Maybe skip if you

prefer mellow, soothing sounds
seek lengthy atmospheric pieces

Where this album fits

Career context: By the time 'Helix' was released in November 2018, Crystal Lake had established themselves as a prominent force in the metalcore scene, particularly in Japan. This album followed their breakthrough record 'True North' from 2017, where they gained international attention for their sonic intensity and emotional depth.
Stylistic neighbors: Fit for a King· August Burns Red· The Devil Wears Prada

Moments worth listening for

Where the writing does something specific.

Agony

The bridge shifts from despair to a hopeful declaration, marking a pivotal change in tone.

This transition not only reflects a journey through pain but also emphasizes resilience, contrasting the earlier verses' bleakness.