Crystal Castle
October Hymns

October 2003
Released: 2003, Indie
Rating: 4.0/5
Reviewer: JP

Crystal Castle can immediately feel proud that they are on the forefront of a small elite group of Canadian (yes, Canadian!) power metal bands that have emerged in the new millennium. Along with brothers of steel, Dragon Warrior, Forgotten Tales, Eidolon, Spelldown and Destiny Calling, Crystal Castle are bringing forth a sound that has dominated metal scenes world wide for twenty years but has been tragically, sadly and conspicuously absent from Canada. Canada, (Quebec in particular) has had a strangle hold on cool underground Death and Black Metal bands for years but power metal is a foreign concept in the great white north.



Crystal Castle are going to help remedy that! CC released a totally pro-indie CD called October Hymns that I’m sure will be a cool little rarity in PM circles. Sporting a rather compelling cover, (a gremlin type beast and a half naked chick sitting in a pumpkin patch in a forest) CC immediately caught my eye with good presentation, a plain but effective logo, lyrics, and a medieval fantasy look to the disc.



This eight track, 43 minute disc has a number of flavours and tempos as this seemingly young band is obviously accomplished. The two guitarists are not afraid to play and ya gotta love a song like ‘ The Silent Voices of Insanity’ which starts with four guitar solos! They are unashamedly heavy metal and even have their own anthem called ‘Heavy Metal’ joining the ranks of Chinchilla, Priest, Sammy Hagar and a handful of other who have an self-glorifying anthem of the same title. Acoustic guitar and even a mandolin add a slight folky taste to the proceedings. Lots of guitars and drums the songs have both elements of traditional metal and hints of thrash as well which keep the songs moving along at a good clip.



They have studied under the European masters and it is not surprising they were picked to open for Blind Guardian in Quebec last year. This is a band to watch!