Go see Dark Castle

June 30, 2011

Stevie Floyd w/ custom Monson guitar

. . .

I am not a mystical kind of guy. But when I hear Dark Castle’s Surrender to All Life Beyond Form (Profound Lore, 2011), I see Ouroboros. No other album has done this to me. Usually with metal I get a picture of death (and perhaps from that an implication of life – see interview with Karl Sanders of Nile) or something overtly life-affirming (e.g., Kill ‘Em All, title aside). But in Dark Castle, Stevie Floyd’s scream is death, and her shivering guitar tones are life, and they form Ouroboros. That’s simplistic, but that’s how I feel.

This comes across live, too. I’ve seen Dark Castle play twice. The first time was good; the second was as close to a religious experience I’ve gotten in a while. At this point, the band has intention, ingredients, and execution. Very few bands have all three.

YOB is one such band, and together these bands begin a tour tomorrow, custom Monson guitars in tow (see dates below). Go, wear earplugs, and emerge the better for it.

The gatefold 12″ of Surrender to All Life Beyond Form is now orderable via Brutal Panda. The pressing is 500 copies, 250 oak brown and 250 orange flame. Ordering info and vinyl pr0n follow below.

— Cosmo Lee

. . .

HEAR DARK CASTLE @ YOUTUBE

. . .

DARK CASTLE/YOB – US TOUR

7/01 – Seattle, WA @ El Corazon w/Samothrace, Aranya
7/02 – Portland, OR @ Branx w/Wizard Rifle, Sloths
7/03 – Boise, ID @ Redroom
7/04 – Salt Lake City, UT @ Club Vegas w/Eagle Twin
7/05 – Denver, CO @ Larimer Lounge
7/06 – Lincoln, NE @ Duffy’s Tavern
7/07 – Dubuque, IA @ Off Minor
7/08 – Chicago, IL @ Subterranean w/Indian
7/09 – Columbus, OH @ Ruby Tuesday w/Deadsea
7/10 – Cleveland, OH @ Beachland Tavern
7/12 – New York, NY @ Le Poisson Rouge
7/13 – Providence, RI @ Machines With Magnets
7/14 – Montreal, QC @ TBA
7/15 – Toronto, ON @ The Courthouse w/Sons of Otis
7/16 – Philadelphia, PA @ Kung Fu Necktie
7/17 – Baltimore, MD @ Sonar
7/19 – Charlotte @ TBA
7/20 – Savannah @ TBA
7/21 – Jacksonville, FL @ 8B Warehouse
7/22 – Orlando, FL @ Will’s Pub
7/23 – Tampa, FL @ Orpheum
7/24 – Panama City FL @ C Level
7/25 – Atlanta, GA @ The Earl
7/26 – Nashville, TN @ Little Hamilton w/Loss
7/27 – Memphis, TN @ Hi Tone Cafe w/Crowlord
7/29 – New Orleans @ One Eyed Jacks
7/30 – Houston, TX @ The Mink
7/31 – Austin, TX @ Emo’s w/The Roller
8/01- San Antonio, TX @ Korova Basement
8/03 – Scottsdale, AZ @ Rogue Bar w/Rituals
8/04 – San Diego, CA @ The Casbah
8/05 – Los Angeles, CA @ The Echo w/Ancestors, Of the Horizon
8/06 – Berkeley, CA @ Gilman St
8/07 – San Francisco, CA @ TBA
8/08 – Arcata, CA @ The Alibi