CASTLE is a heavy/doom metal band with origins in both America and Canada. They formed in 2009 and “Evil Remains” is their sixth full-length album. It has been a banner year for the less extreme versions of the doom scene and “Evil Remains” adds to the ever growing list of kick ass doom. Their sound is simple but very engaging. Their use of dual vocals goes hand in hand with their vintage but energetic sound. The production echoes the old school vibe but has a modern heft and mix to it so it doesn't sound dated. This is very much a riff based album so the rhythms are hard driving and groovy as hell. The drums are tight and crisp, a superb foundation for the songs as they take an approach that is much more direct and immediate than a lot of doom. Doom doesn’t always have to be depressing or super slow. “Evil Remains” is slow to mid-paced but they never truly go down to a crawl—this isn’t funeral doom. The catchy, high energy songs negate any depressive elements but it’s definitely a dark, horror soaked album with an occult feel.

The album opens with “Queen of Death,” and it’s a fantastic first track. Not only because of the riffs and drums which explode from the first second but also because it gives a pretty good overview of what the album brings to the table. Davis’ vocals are clean but with a strong layer of grit with them, matching his guitar playing that is equally as gritty. Blackwell’s vocals are just as good, if not better. Of course, her bass pours out concrete in the form of notes. Cotton’s drums are on point, nothing too flashy, but expertly holds up the foundations of the band while providing a sterling performance of his own. The band is at their best when they turn the jam on and hammer the song out, such as in the middle and ending movements of “Queen of Death.” The occult atmosphere works especially well when the focus is on Blackwell’s vocals and bass, an example being the opening of “Deja Voodoo.” The grooves on the song are low, casting dismal black magic across the song’s structure. The kick up in tempo about 75% of the way through is a nice touch. CASTLE is very effective at presenting a disturbing, ghastly sound to their brand of doom while still making it absolutely hit hard as nails.

The album presents a curveball with “Black Spell,” which has more of a hard rock/proto-metal vibe to it.. However, it’s also perhaps the heaviest song on the album, due in large part to the drums and the cleans, which are a little more intense in this go around. The riffs are solid but it’s the drums that make it The final song, “Cold Grave,” is one of my favorites on the album. The opening moments carries on the faster tempo, an element that they aren’t afraid to embrace among their doomiest moments. The drums are fervent, adding a high octane element to the song. The guitar solo, and the doomed groove of the rhythm that backs it up, is one of the best moments not only on the song but in the album as a whole. All three players have incredible synergy together and the album sounds like more than three people are involved—very full, beefy performances.

All in all, CASTLES “Evil Remains,” is a solid occult doom album with a surprisingly catchy sound and many rifftastic moments. Any fan of doom would be doing themselves a disservice to ignore this.