As was to be expected, this release isn’t for the faint hearted with Salisbury based Castellan unleashing their assault on the hardcore world with a two track EP that’s as in your face as their live performances.
The first half is “The Flower” – a brutally heavy piece of noise, where the drumming is frantic and despite the chaotic nature of the track, Castellan sound incredibly tight yet slightly disturbing at the same time.
As with a lot of loud shouty music it’s not easy to decipher the words but cast your eyes over the lyric sheet and you will find “The Flower” is somewhat of a sinister love song, although probably one to be read at arm’s length!
If you think Castellan are going to slow it down for the second half then think again, as “The Thorn” kicks in where the first one finished, another savage attack on the ear drums but this time there is more of a structure to the song.
Featuring fast and heavy drumming and a bass line that’s sure to cause blisters even to the most hardened of players, there’s also the break down as the band themselves sound as though their having their own emotional rollercoaster in the studio before it builds up yet again into its great little riff bringing “The Thorn” to a triumphant close.
So with “Feeding Tube” out last year and “The Flower, The Thorn” set for its physical release in September 2013, this isn’t just a great two track EP for Castellan but is also another successful release for local label Animal Defence Records – so whilst buying this record be sure to check out what else is on offer and keep supporting the underground scene.
