The world isn’t short of New York Based rock bands – New York is that kind of place – so having to add another name to the long list came as no surprise. The band in question this time is Castle Black and being placed under the magnifying glass is their EP “The Gods Adored You”.
I’m pretty sure that no vegetables were harmed as part of the production of this collection of five songs and it is soon obvious that this roughhouse high octane blend of guitar led rock meets punk American style was designed to do structural damage and provide the soundtrack to accompany reprobate behaviour. It’s not just volume though – although turning it right up does seem the right thing to do – as there is a story sitting behind these songs and this story, if not quite one of rebellion, is at least one that rejects current day corporate conformity and, unusually, injects unexpected elements of spirituality into the mix.
Of the songs, the one most likely to convince the casual listener is the brooding “Sierra” that, whilst exuding bleakness, theatricality and retro power chords in equal quantities, allows singer Leigh Celent her best opportunity to deliver her message to a world that will listen to anything except the truth.
New York, New York – so good they named it twice. Maybe they will do the same for Castle Black someday?
The EP is available from Bandcamp and the usual digital platforms.