They are named after the lyrics "The fate of the world is safe in Crystal Castles" and "Crystal Castles, the source of all power" both from the theme song for She-Ra's fortress. They are known for their melancholic lo-fi sound and their explosive live shows. Their debut album was included in NME's "Top 50 Albums of the Decade".
Initially the band was intended to be a solo project started by Ethan Kath in December 2003. Ethan later discovered Alice Glass singing in a noise-punk band, and thought he had found the "missing ingredient" to his music.
In 2004 Kath gave Alice 60 instrumental tracks and in April 2005 she recorded vocals over five instrumentals. The limited vinyl release of the band's first single Alice Practice sold out in only three days.
The track was a microphone test by Glass and she was not aware that the recording existed until London UK's Merok Records asked to release the track on vinyl, according to now ex-bandmate Kath. However, Glass declared over a decade later that this story was not true.
On the 18th March 2008 they released their debut album entitled Crystal Castles. This album reached #47 on UK Albums Chart, #6 on US Top Electronic Albums, #13 on US Top Heatseekers, and #32 on US Independent Albums. Crystal Castles received great reviews and ranked #39 on NME Magazine "Top 50 Albums of the Decade". They issued four singles: Alice Practice (1 June 2006), Crimewave (Crystal Castles vs HEALTH) (13 August 2007), Air War (17 December 2007), and Courtship Dating (31 March 2008).
Crystal Castles are known not only for their own efforts as a band, but also for commissioned remixes for number of groups, including Hunting For Witches by Bloc Party, and Atlantis to Interzone by friends and label mates, Klaxons.
In mid-2008, Crystal Castles were involved in two controversies related to artwork permissions and samples in their earliest unreleased songs. Crystal Castles used Trevor Brown's artwork (depicting singer Madonna with a black eye) without permission.
Furthermore, in one of Kath's earliest, unreleased demos, he incorporated a sample without permission. The track, "Insectica (CC vs Lo-Bat Version)", uses clips chopped out of a song by Lo-bat called "My Little Droid Needs a Hand", released under a Creative Commons license. Another track called "Love and Caring", samples the kick and snare from Covox's "Sunday".
In 23 April 2010 the duo released their second album Crystal Castles (II). This album reached #48 on UK Singles Chart, #8 on UK Dance Albums Chart, #24 on US Digital Albums, #6 on US Top Electronic Albums, and #3 on US Top Heatseekers. Crystal Castles (II) has been met with mostly positive reviews from critics. To date, four singles were issued: Doe Deer, Celestica and Baptism, and a new version of the track Not In Love which featured Robert Smith of The Cure on vocals.
This became their biggest hit to date, charting in a great amount of countries including a #3 in Belgium (Flanders), a #31 in Denmark and various notable placements on official alternative music charts. "Not In Love", which is a cover of a Platinum Blonde song of the same name, was also featured in various television shows (including "Degrassi") and the popular football simulation videogame FIFA 12.
The band toured throughout 2010 in the US and abroad and played the Reading and Leeds Festivals and Glastonbury Festival in the UK and Big Day Out in Australia. In February 2011, the band will perform on the NME Awards Tour
The band's third album, (III) was released on November 21, 2012. The album contains the singles "Plague", "Wrath of God", and "Sad Eyes".
On October 8th 2014 it was announced on then lead singer Alice Glass' Twitter that she was leaving the band, and that the group would end. However, Crystal Castles' manager immediately reported that the band would continue, and on April 15th, 2015, Ethan Kath shared a new track titled Frail on SoundCloud, writing 'this is Edith on vocals', implying that fellow musician Edith Frances was Crystal Castles' new lead vocalist, which was in fact the case.
On 2 July 2015, another new song, Deicide, was released as a single. A new version of Deicide was later released on the album under the title Their Kindness is Charade.
In late November 2015, Edith Frances played her first show as the other half of Crystal Castles in South Africa.
In the last week of June 2016, the track Concrete was leaked on Korean website MNet. The track was later released as a single on July 6 with an accompanying video Video on the same day on YouTube.
On June 29, the band previewed a new track Femen with a teaser of the music Video showing birds caught and struggling in mist nets via Vimeo.
On July 11, the band announced the new record, Amnesty (I) along with its cover art and track list and also premiering Char as Annie Mac's Hottest Record on BBC Radio 1.
The single and pre-order for the album were made available a day later on July 12.
The fourth, and last pre-order single Fleece was made available on August 16 at the band's iTunes page.
Another single titled Sadist was released on August 18, followed by the official release of the album on August 19, 2016. Track Sadist was followed by Edith's message announced on CC official Facebook page.
On their official website CC announced that all band's proceeds from Amnesty (I) album will be donated to Amnesty International. New album Vinyl and CD includes bonus track Kept.
http://www.crystalcastles.com
Various sources have reported that, as of 2018, Crystal Castles remains in a hiatus with no signs of new material coming in the near future.
Love & Caring
Crystal Castles Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
To make superior man
Anatomically built
This half corpse can't guilt
Say goodbye
To your incest eyes
Blue blood
Makes shattered ribs
Never heard when it's time to guilt
Until the bottom of winter blues
You're my teacup passing by
Doctor dead
And his kids
Oh, how awful it was today
The sounds of screaming
Save us please
Open wounds
Drowned in Kerosene
What the fuck is this?
Oh, it's the bass
So, what do you think of me?
Is it a joke
Or a part of me?
Yeah,
I'm just saying
May your face
Minimize the human race
This way we can be together
Make threats to switchblade lovers
Okay baby
It's been so long
Since the cityscape had episodes
The lyrics of Love and Caring by Crystal Castles are quite cryptic and hard to decipher. It seems to be reflecting on the idea of creating a superior race of humans, which has been the subject of much controversy and ethical debate. The first two lines of the song suggest that the singer has a plan to create a superior man, one that is anatomically built, possibly through genetic engineering. The phrase "half corpse can't guilt" might be referring to the idea that if we can create humans with certain abilities or traits, they might not feel remorse or guilt for their actions.
The next few lines are harder to interpret, but it seems to be about saying goodbye to old ways of thinking, represented by the "incest eyes" and "blue blood". The line "shattered glass makes shattered ribs" could be a reference to violence or broken relationships. The singer then reflects on the idea of guilt again, suggesting that sometimes people don't feel guilty when they should.
The chorus seems to reflect on the winter blues, perhaps a metaphor for a feeling of emptiness or loneliness. The line "you're my teacup passing by" could be a nostalgic reference to a moment that has passed. The mention of a "doctor dead and his kids" adds a note of morbidity and darkness to the lyrics.
The second half of the song is increasingly chaotic and difficult to interpret. There are mentions of screaming and open wounds, suggesting violence or pain. The phrase "may your face minimize the human race" is particularly disturbing and provocative, suggesting a desire to eradicate certain types of people. The song ends with a reference to "cityscape episodes", which could be interpreted in many different ways.
Line by Line Meaning
Here's my genius plan
I have an incredibly intelligent idea that I want to share
To make superior man
I want to create a better version of mankind
Anatomically built
This new and improved version will be constructed with precision
This half corpse can't guilt
This new person will not be affected by feelings of guilt
Say goodbye
Wave goodbye
To your incest eyes
To your eyes that reflect inappropriate desires
Blue blood
This refers to royalty
Say why shattered glass
Explain why broken glass
Makes shattered ribs
Causes a broken rib cage
Never heard when it's time to guilt
These privileged individuals never face any consequences for their actions
Until the bottom of winter blues
Until the end of sadness and despair
You're my teacup passing by
You are like a fleeting moment of happiness
Doctor dead
A deceased medical professional
And his kids
His children
Oh, how awful it was today
Today was particularly terrible
The sounds of screaming
The cries of agony
Save us please
Help us escape this nightmare
Open wounds
Injuries that are exposed
Drowned in Kerosene
Engulfed in flames
What the fuck is this?
What is happening here?
Oh, it's the bass
The loud bass can be heard
So, what do you think of me?
Tell me your opinion of me
Is it a joke
Are you kidding?
Or a part of me?
Are you talking about a part of me?
Yeah, I'm just saying
I'm only mentioning it
May your face
May you
Minimize the human race
Reduce the number of humans on earth
This way we can be together
If there are fewer people, we can be closer
Make threats to switchblade lovers
Threaten to harm those who have switchblades
Okay baby
Alright then
It's been so long
It's been a while
Since the cityscape had episodes
Since there was excitement in the city
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: ALICE GLASS, ETHAN KATH
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@Dr_Pickle
[Verse 1: Alice Glass]
Here's my genius plan
Make a superior man
Anatomically built
This half corpse can't guilt
It's hard to find your insect heart
Blue blood, tear apart
Shattered glass, shattered rib
Now my hand will start to give
[Verse 2: Alice Glass]
How does your body retain blood?
You're my decomposing love
I'm doctor death, Mary Beth
Now I have a hearse to get
Silent scream
Scissored seams
Open up
Drown in kerosene
[Interlude: Alice Glass]
What the fuck is this?
Oh, it's the bass
[Verse 3: Alice Glass]
When I cut deep you'll think of me
Until your lobotomy
No anesthetic, lay your pace
Mutilate the human race
This way, we can be together
Mangled hearts stitched with leather
I've been waiting for so long
Your silent scream's my favorite song
@ASDWFULL
Here's my genius plan
To make superior man
Anatomically built
This half corpse can't guilt
Say goodbye
To your incest eyes
Blue blood
Say why shattered glass
Makes shattered ribs
Never heard when it's time to guilt
Until the bottom of winter blues
You're my teacup passing by
Doctor dead
And his kids
Oh, how awful it was today
The sounds of screaming
Save us please
Open wounds
Drowned in Kerosene
What the fuck is this?
Oh, it's the bass
So, what do you think of me?
Is it a joke
Or a part of me?
Yeah,
I'm just saying
May your face
Minimize the human race
This way we can be together
Make threats to switchblade lovers
Okay baby
It's been so long
Since the cityscape had episodes
@Dr_Pickle
[Verse 1: Alice Glass]
Here's my genius plan
Make a superior man
Anatomically built
This half corpse can't guilt
It's hard to find your insect heart
Blue blood, tear apart
Shattered glass, shattered rib
Now my hand will start to give
[Verse 2: Alice Glass]
How does your body retain blood?
You're my decomposing love
I'm doctor death, Mary Beth
Now I have a hearse to get
Silent scream
Scissored seams
Open up
Drown in kerosene
[Interlude: Alice Glass]
What the fuck is this?
Oh, it's the bass
[Verse 3: Alice Glass]
When I cut deep you'll think of me
Until your lobotomy
No anesthetic, lay your pace
Mutilate the human race
This way, we can be together
Mangled hearts stitched with leather
I've been waiting for so long
Your silent scream's my favorite song
@bruhbobent3149
Use my genius plan
Make superior man
Anatomatically built
This half corpse can't guilt
Try to find your insect heart
Blue blood
Santa Claus
Shattered Glass
Shattered Rib
Never had the sense of guilt
Until bottom we say my
The hormone teacup
My own gloves
I'm doctor dead
Let us live
Know how horrible he wants to get
So extreme
Scissors seats
Obi Wan
Drop it and kill old Tim
What the fuck is this
Oh it's the bass
Welcome to you you think of me
Enter your battle needle
Under setting
Lower your bags
Minimize the humid rice
This way
To compare to get on
Make real threats to
Switchblade lovers
I ain't ready
To go so slow
But Santa's kind
To my favourite song
@MariaMariaMaria-wi4bo
Bruh no the real lyrics are
Here's my genius plan
Make a superior man
Anatomically built
This half corpse can't guilt
It's hard to find your insect heart
Blue blood, tear apart
Shattered glass, shattered rib
Now my hand will start to give
How does your body retain blood?
You're my decomposing love
I'm doctor death, Mary Beth
Now I have a hearse to get
Silent scream
Scissored seams
Open you up
Drown in kerosene
What the fuck is this?
Oh, it's the bass
When I cut deep you'll think of me
Until your lobotomy
No anesthetic, lay your pace
Mutilate the human race
This way we can be together
Mangled hearts stitched with leather
I've been waiting for so long
Your silent scream's my favorite song
@jawed5178
Hey I'm the band folks not crystal castles i reuploaded all my videos
That not Crystal Castles song I've it's my song tell me let's play a game that is called "is it my song or not" HERE WE GOOOOOOOO...
TELL ME IS IT MY SONG
DOWN HERE
⬇️
YES✔️ OR NO❌
CONGRATULATIONS 🎉🎉🎉🎊🎊🎊🎊🧧🎉🎉🎊🎊🎊 IS MY SONG
❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️I LOVE YOU GUYS...
@GhostlyAdri
This will forever be one of my favorite pieces of music.
@bremzen4777
thats fucked up. nice
@SkynetToaster
@bremzen Whats fucked up about it lol? This is amazing in so many ways.
@ricksanchez5241
You either love it or you hate it, it's that kind of music
@dustyclavier402
Same
@akira0583
@Rick Sanchez facts
@Dr_Pickle
[Verse 1: Alice Glass]
Here's my genius plan
Make a superior man
Anatomically built
This half corpse can't guilt
It's hard to find your insect heart
Blue blood, tear apart
Shattered glass, shattered rib
Now my hand will start to give
[Verse 2: Alice Glass]
How does your body retain blood?
You're my decomposing love
I'm doctor death, Mary Beth
Now I have a hearse to get
Silent scream
Scissored seams
Open up
Drown in kerosene
[Interlude: Alice Glass]
What the fuck is this?
Oh, it's the bass
[Verse 3: Alice Glass]
When I cut deep you'll think of me
Until your lobotomy
No anesthetic, lay your pace
Mutilate the human race
This way, we can be together
Mangled hearts stitched with leather
I've been waiting for so long
Your silent scream's my favorite song
@penetrasean
This is the song I always blast when I’m trying to find my missing earbuds.
@zyorus8092
i play it same volume on my head
@i_killed_them
LMAO I've just found out this would actually be really effective, thanks