Dark Castle’s set at Scion Rock Fest was spiritual. I don’t say that lightly, as I don’t consider myself a spiritual person. But a presence was in the air that wasn’t there before. It didn’t come from the crowd, which was sedate but for some obnoxious moshers. It came from electricity, metal, wood, hair, and the voices of Stevie Floyd and Rob Shaffer. The push and pull between her guitar and his drums was palpable. Of the dozens of shows I attend each year, few have this totality of energy. I didn’t hear separate instruments so much as a single soul.
One of the set’s highlights was “Seeing Through Time”. You can stream it below. It’s from Dark Castle’s new album Surrender to All Life Beyond Form, out May 17 on Profound Lore. Its cover and a nice interview with Floyd are visible here. Floyd has become one of the most expressive guitarists in metal today. The Scion Rock Fest set featured shivering chorus, audible in “Seeing Through Time”, and octave pedal interjections that made Floyd’s guitar scream. Those, combined with Floyd’s “greasy” playing, made for a refreshing alternative to today’s dime-a-dozen shredders. It’s rare that a guitar sounds like it’s truly speaking.
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DARK CASTLE LINKS
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those moshers were fucking miserable! the new material sounded great at scion and the fact they closed with “Into the Past” sealed the deal. The conclusion of that song is the most devastating bit of doom i’ve ever heard.
their set was the highlight of the day.
and seriously, what was the deal with the moshers? same thing happened during cough.
Saw these guys at the Studio @ Webster Hall. The were the very first of DC/Atlas Moth/Zoroaster/Nachtmystium. Yeah, that tour. Unbelievably immersive experience. Became a fan on the spot. Stevie operates the light show and her pedals with her feet. Incredible, incredible band. Less is more.
Saw them almost a year ago supporting Spirited Migration. There were like, ten people there, but it was still one of the best shows I’ve ever seen. The atmosphere was thicker than anything else I’ve ever experienced, and all of us that were there (me and my friends + the other bands on the bill) were completely entranced. They were supposed to play here again later last year, but their bus broke down in Little Rock. Really can’t wait to see them again, though I’m almost afraid that it won’t match up to that very special first time.
I have the same gripe about the dudes moshing. =\
I lucked out by standing a bit off to the right, but pressed right up against the metal stage barricade. The rhythm of the riffing didn’t really suit moshing anyway, but where there’s a will there’s a way. DC played a brilliant set for sure. I’d love to get a glimpse at Stevie’s fx chain for her guitar… the screaming feedback was insane.
Interesting band, terrible band name.
Very excellent set at the fest, I became an instant fan!
Very excellent set at the fest, the first time I had heard them. I became an instant fan!
I saw them about a year ago opening up for Black Tusk and Zoroaster…
DC stole the show for me. I’ve neglected to follow up with their records, though. I’ll have to remedy that.
Fun-fact: Dimmu Borgir means “dark castle” in Icelandic.
@goingdeaf
Saw the same tour and totally agree. While Zoroaster still held their own, Black tusk were made to look like chumps by their ’support’.
Can’t wait to hear Surrender to All Life Beyond Form.
I caught two songs from them during the Scion fest and was rather bored by it.
I’ve seen Dark Castle play shows for a few years. I always walk away with the same feeling- ‘they’re ok’. They tend to play with bands that are way better musicians(Baroness, US Christmas)than them so they always seem to pale in comparison.In their defense, they aren’t really seasoned at their instruments. Rob is originally a guitarists(started with the mathcore band Into The Moat) and Stevie is an awesome tattoo artist turned first time musician. They are def. getting better every time I hear them, though they still lack the amazing ambiance of a band like YOB or the layered darkness of a band like Rwake.I am way interested in hearing Rob’s new band that he is doing with the drummer from Burning Witch.
@Grindotorium- Black Tusk doesn’t need any help looking like chumps
Добрый день всем любителям метала, скачать новые альбомы в стиле black metal вы сможеет у нас бесплатно. Так же для тех кто любит другие стили metal будет приятно увидеть огромную коллекцию новых альбомов, в том числе Amon Amarth – Surtur Rising