I have been a Dark Castle fan for a minute, so when I heard they had a new record coming out I was stoked, but at the same time I had very high expectations. With the release of their new album Surrender To All Life Beyond Form, out now via Profound Lore, they fucking blew my mind. Dark Castle has stretched what we call doom & sludge to encompass many more layers that are not usually associated with these genres. I knew something was different by the way the first track, “Surrender To All Life Beyond Form,” started. It begins with this killer dirge bit, then this almost 1st Nations chant comes in, and then on a wave of strange feedback, super distorted blackened vocals kick in – from that point, they had me. Surrender To All Life Beyond Form is a real dark tapestry of sonics, so you will hear something new every time. At certain points when I listen to this album I get the sense as though the songs are alive & breathing, & are trying to tell me something. Dark Castle is heavy as ever on this album, but they are using space as an effect unto itself – they allow the effects they create to transform many times before they introduce another effect. The song “Learning To Unlearn” is haunting experimental doom that explores the textures of bleeps, piano & cavernous vocals that manifest their apocalyptic visions. The emotional impact that the song “To Hide Is To Die” has is fucking transcendental, & Stevie’s singing voice on this track is sublime. With this album, Dark Castle have done what I like to hear bands do – take chances & develop their imagination outside of their comfort zone. The next time I see this band in person I’m going to walk up to them, give them a huge hug & say job well freaking done! It gets better: they are hitting the road this summer with YOB. So after the jump, get all of the tour details & some other surprises.
Dark Castle : Seeing Through Time
04 Seeing Through Time
YOB/Dark Castle U.S. Tour 2011
7/1 – Seattle, WA @ El Corazon w/Samothrace, Aranya
7/2 – Portland, OR @ Branx w/Wizard Rifle, Sloths
7/3 – Boise, ID @ Redroom
7/4 – Salt Lake City, UT @ Club Vegas w/Eagle Twin
7/5 – Denver, CO @ Larimer Lounge
7/6 – Lincoln, NE @ Duffy’s Tavern
7/7 – Dubuque, IA @ Off Minor
7/8 – Chicago, IL @ Subterranean w/Indian
7/9 – 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
Chris
August 29, 2011 at 9:31 am
Good review. This really captures the album’s sound and overall vibe in one paragraph. I would need at least five pages to describe it, so job well done!
Kuhlcher Korner
June 5, 2011 at 4:09 pm
Dark Castle is a mighty force that never ceases to surprise me with their dark, heavy, atmospheric onslaught of the senses. Looking forward to July 24th!!!!
Matt S
June 3, 2011 at 2:49 pm
Killer band, and the new album is amazing. Will definitely be there at the July 1st date.