Photo: Press/Facebook
You didn’t really think Crystal Castles would go that quietly did you? A clean, calm break-up, announced over Twitter, never felt right. For a band so volatile on stage, there needed to be a bang.
Crystal Castles’ unexpected but typically cut throat return with 'Frail', serves to remind us of their unique identity. In 2005 Ethan Kath released his debut with 'Untrust Us' and 'Magic Spells' - together with a press release of him holding a baby. However it was a year later in 2006, when Kath emerged with Alice Glass, his pounding beats finding a perfect partner in her fireball stage presence. Who was this girl? No-one knew. All sorts of rumours circulated about this feral punk child - deathly mute off stage but otherworldly on it.
Below: Listen to Frail by Crystal Castles
We now know Alice Glass was only 16 years old when they formed. At the time of their breakthrough and debut album release in 2008, she had her persona nailed. Playing small, intimate London shows, venues erupted. I remember seeing her for the first time and wondering what was going through her head. Nobody got to find out. As soon as the music stopped she fled from the stage. Her intention was clear – know me for what I represent on stage, nothing more, nothing less.
Other 8-bit, glitch-laden, new rave gimmick acts came and went in a blink, but Crystal Castles’ sound evolved and went from strength to strength – an ever darkening shade of black. Suddenly, at the end of last year, at the peak of success, Alice broke free, citing “artistic” and “musical differences”. A need to go her own way and strengthen the voice founded in their last full-length release, lamenting social injustice of all forms.
But today Ethan Kath threw a curveball, releasing a track and accompanying statement (which was subsequently deleted): “I wish my former vocalist the best of luck in her future endeavours. I think it can be empowering for her to be in charge of her own project. It should be rewarding for her considering she didn't appear on Crystal Castles' best known songs. (She’s not on Untrust Us, Not In Love, Vanished, Crimewave, Vietnam, Magic Spells, Knights, Air War, Leni, Lovers Who Uncover, Violent Youth, Reckless, Year of Silence, Intimate, 1991, Good Time, Violent Dreams etc.). People often gave her credit for my lyrics and that was fine, I didn't care. <3”.
You can almost hear the blood splatter against the wall. The euphorically melancholic new track “Frail”, features a new vocalist Edith. Yes, it sounds unmistakably like Alice, but who knows who Alice is? We’re still waiting to find out.
Your move, Alice.
