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.
P A L E F L E S H
Crystal Castles Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
An impression to embed
Born-Again before teething
Collect tears from their weeping
Oh hiding them under the seafoam
Package them like a cheap gift
You’re nesting under the corridor
Place the ash on their foreheads
An impression to embed
Born-Again before teething
Collect tears from their weeping
Oh hiding them under the seafoam
Package them like a cheap gift
You’re nesting under the corridor
Adolescent fiance
I’m just flesh to give away
The lyrics to Crystal Castles's song Pale Flesh are dark and cryptic, full of vivid imagery that invites interpretation. The first lines, "Place the ash on their foreheads, An impression to embed," suggest a ritualistic act of marking individuals for some purpose. This could be interpreted as a commentary on religion, where followers are marked with ash during certain ceremonies to signify their devotion. The subsequent lines, "Born again before teething, Collect tears from their weeping," add to this sense of ritual and renewal, as if there is some sanctity in the tears of the weeping.
The second verse continues along the same lines, "Oh hiding them under the seafoam, Package them like a cheap gift, You’re nesting under the corridor," suggesting a sense of concealment and care. However, the meaning is unclear - is the singer hiding something precious, or are they hiding themselves? The repetition of the first verse's lines is like a mantra, imbuing the lyrics with a sense of mysticism.
The final lines, "Adolescent fiance, I’m just flesh to give away," add to the sense of unease that permeates the song. The use of the word "fiance" suggests a contractual obligation, as if the singer is being offered up as a sacrifice, while the reference to "flesh to give away" suggests a lack of autonomy, a sense of being used and disposable.
Overall, Pale Flesh is a haunting and enigmatic song that invites multiple interpretations.
Line by Line Meaning
Place the ash on their foreheads
Create a lasting impression on their minds
An impression to embed
To create a memory that lasts
Born-Again before teething
To be reborn with a clean slate
Collect tears from their weeping
To gather their sadness and pain as a resource
Oh hiding them under the seafoam
Keeping secrets hidden and safe from discovery
Package them like a cheap gift
To make them appear more valuable than they really are
You’re nesting under the corridor
Making your home in the shadows, unnoticed
Adolescent fiance
A young lover promised to be married
I’m just flesh to give away
A person with nothing of value except their physical body
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: ALICE GLASS, ETHAN KATH
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@JavaBoy1337
Place the ash on their foreheads
An impression to embed
Born-Again before teething
Collect tears from their weeping
Oh hiding them under the seafoam
Package them like a cheap gift
You’re nesting under the corridor
Place the ash on their foreheads
An impression to embed
Born-Again before teething
Collect tears from their weeping
Oh hiding them under the seafoam
Package them like a cheap gift
You’re nesting under the corridor
Adolescent fiance
I’m just flesh to give away
@theron8335
"Pale Flesh" by Crystal Castles
Rating: ★★★★★ (5/5)
Crystal Castles, the renowned electronic music duo, once again proves their ability to captivate and unsettle listeners with their mesmerizing track, "Pale Flesh." Released on their self-titled debut album, "Pale Flesh" stands as a haunting masterpiece that showcases the distinctive sound and creative prowess of Crystal Castles.
From the opening notes, "Pale Flesh" establishes a chilling atmosphere that immediately transports listeners into the depths of an otherworldly realm. The song's haunting synthesizers and ethereal melodies create an eerie sonic landscape that feels both familiar and alien, blurring the line between beauty and unease.
Alice Glass's vocal performance is nothing short of mesmerizing. Her ethereal voice hovers over the intricate layers of pulsating beats and distorted electronic elements, casting a spell that lingers long after the track ends. Glass's lyrics, though enigmatic and abstract, carry an emotional weight that adds another layer of depth to the song, leaving listeners contemplating its meaning and interpretation.
One of the most remarkable aspects of "Pale Flesh" is its ability to evoke a range of emotions. It simultaneously evokes a sense of melancholy and longing, yet also a certain kind of euphoria. The pulsating rhythm and intricate electronic arrangements create a dynamic soundscape that immerses the listener in a whirlwind of emotions, making it impossible to remain indifferent.
Crystal Castles' production shines brilliantly in "Pale Flesh." The duo's attention to detail and their mastery of electronic sound manipulation are evident throughout the track. The carefully crafted layers of sound, the precise placement of effects, and the juxtaposition of harsh and delicate elements demonstrate their unique approach to music production, setting them apart from their contemporaries.
"Pale Flesh" is a testament to Crystal Castles' ability to push boundaries and challenge traditional notions of electronic music. The track's experimental nature, combined with its haunting beauty, makes it an unforgettable sonic journey. Whether experienced through headphones in a darkened room or as part of a live performance, "Pale Flesh" has the power to transport and mesmerize its audience.
In conclusion, "Pale Flesh" is a haunting masterpiece that showcases Crystal Castles' artistic brilliance. With its mesmerizing melodies, ethereal vocals, and intricate production, the track leaves an indelible mark on the listener. It stands as a testament to the duo's ability to craft unique and atmospheric electronic music that resonates on a deeply emotional level. "Pale Flesh" is an essential addition to any music lover's playlist and a shining example of Crystal Castles' profound artistry.
@wytpny557
I'm so glad I found crystal castles they're one of my favorites
@galepeck8717
Me too. Love them for 10 yrs now.
@sarahjimin6671
me too
@tropicclan9309
I thank Watch dogs 2 that they showed me CC
@NnoTt_FouNnd
same bro
@whiteflag5534
In Crystal castles we found pacification
@gabbyb9939
They said in interviews Alice “took care of the lyrics.” Almost all their songs have lyrics like this. How can people doubt the truth to her pain and accusations when she really seems to share her experiences through the art?
@CloverPatches
She also said her lyrics were indirectly speaking to her pain, and looking through them, I can see that. It makes my heart ache so much because I love the music but I can’t listen to it anymore without thinking about all the pain behind the scenes :/
@VannahCakesYo
who is doubting her? ethan has been silenced and exhiled and alice is supported through and through.
@VannahCakesYo
@CloverPatches that sucks you cant listen to music you supposedly love because of things that went on behind the scenes with the artists. i'll never understand that.