A Rippin Production on The Highway at Night

“ . . . How else could you craft such raw, visceral yet beautiful soundscapes on their debut LP, The Highway at Night? Castle Black is a band for everyone. They’re kinda punk, kinda post punk, kinda stoner doom, kinda prog. It’s good ol’ fashioned rock’n’roll baby.”

I Enjoy Music Blog on The Highway at Night

'“Punchy-dynamic-eclectic pure rock 'n' roll baby!!”

Fly (Just Try) Pick of the Day on Turn Up the Volume

“Helter-skelter! Fly (Just Try) detonates from the first second with deranged drums going bonkers and paranoic guitars racing at the speed of a reckless hotrod on the run, while Celent‘s fierce and determinant vocals add extra fuel to this head-spinning ebullition.”

From Scenes from the Underground on Fly (Just Try)

“Probably one of the most personal songs out of the current released trio, the track deals with Leigh Celent’s battle with endometriosis, and fibroids. Sonically, it’s sludgy, and heavier, and with a music video paying homage to zombie movies, the track drives home the notion of being in a situation where you feel like your body isn’t always yours because of this thing that has taken up residence without permission.”

From I Enjoy Music on Heart Can’t Feel

“… the jauntier “The Heart Can’t Feel,” which has … a sharp, clean riff that reminds me of peak rock revival times, and a killer video directed by Jen Meller that has tap dancing in it. I'm throwing up the Sign of the Horns for Castle Black...”

From The Deli on Heart Can’t Feel

“Heart Can’t Feel … is the second advance single from Castle Black’s forthcoming LP … which serves as a departure from the album’s lead-off single Bright-Eyed … while the latter sounds as if it was written and recorded by a band that wears nothing but black with a video to match, here we have a band … that actually looks and sounds much more bright-eyed (we’re intrigued by these compartments and the cross-talk between them already) while retaining the duo’s trademark of gnarly riffage, piston-driven rhythms, keening harmonies and overall minimalist maximalism.”

From If It’s Too Loud on Bright-Eyed

“The song is much more dense than you typically get with grunge or post-punk, and it's quite cinematic. "Bright-Eyed" keeps a sense of foreboding throughout while still being quite beautiful. Plus, the song is strangely hypnotic. You'll find yourself drawn fully into the song without even realizing it.”

Bright-Eyed on the “Of Bops and Baddies: The Top 20 Songs of 2023” from Scenes from the Underground

“Introspection and growing pains, two very important topics that we always need, and CB did them well.”

From Under the Radar, on Bright-Eyed

“Bright-Eyed” finds the band leaning into their darker side, coloring the track with layers of rumbling basslines and baritone guitar. Joey Russo’s drums give the track a thunderous backbone while lead singer/guitarist Leigh Celent brings a striking presence, delivering an emphatic vocal performance laced with confident magnetism. All along, a serpentine guitar riff snakes around the track, winding onward as the pounding drums drive it forward. The band steadily ratchets up the tension until it finally explodes outward with the track’s impressively catchy chorus.”

From The Deli, on Bright-Eyed

“Some songs just have *that* riff, you know the one, a riff that hooks you right from the get-go—hook, line and sinker—-a riff so sturdy it easily serve as the foundation for an entire three-to-four minute song with some subtle variations and layerings thrown in for good meansure but still THE RIFF REIGNS SUPREME like with Michael Jackson’s ‘Billie Jean’ or White Stripes’ ‘Seven Nation Army’ or Ramones’ ‘Blitzkrieg Bop’…”

“which even tho’ it’s somewhat eerie and downcast-sounding it’s also equally seductive-sounding plus catchy-as-all-get-out so good luck extracting the riff from your auditory cortex for the next couple days…”

Bright-Eyed Pick of the Day on Turn Up the Volume

“Its shadowy edge, its poignant vocals, and its relentlessly baritone guitar and EBow generated electricity turn this roller coaster into a fascinating slice of mysterious music, visualized by an eye-catching video clip.”

From Scenes from the Underground, on Bright-Eyed

“Sometimes growing up, and getting older means moving on from people and places that don’t always serve you. And sometimes people can remove themselves, and other times you can be alienated. NYC’s own Castle Black have captured this very feeling with their new single and music video for ‘Bright-Eyed.’”

From Rockmommy, on Bright-Eyed

“Perfect for shorter days and darker nights, Brooklyn band @castleblacknyc’s “Bright-Eyed” is a layered soundscape of textured guitar riffs and unexpected harmonies. If you like the Yeah Yeah Yeahs, you will LOVE Castle Black!!

From Knoxville Noise Pollution (Alan Garcia)

“ … with a dark electric sound without boundaries in genre. Leigh is a pro on stage with such control over her guitar’s sound while singing … Meanwhile, Joey is impeccable on the kit - hard hitting and always in the pocket … Great music made by great people.”

From WBKM (Tim Lewis)

“Leigh fired her voice at the mic and ripped it up on guitar while Joey hit the drums super hard over a prerecorded bass track. I was totally sucked in immediately. They sang of radio queens, wondering if you're dead or alive and played one about being dead in a dream. They sang of birthdays and that deep voice introduced some of the songs, just to keep it fun. They closed the eight song set with a ripping version of Sorry. I really liked them the first time I saw them and loved the show they played that night. I'd go back to see them again anytime.”

From Take Effect - Review of Get Up, Dancer

“…this new EP continues their iconoclastic ways with further greatness … Castle Black might just be the most exciting band in the world of independent music right now, and for fans of bands as diverse as Nirvana, Melvins, Tool and even ‘80s punk, it just doesn’t get any better than this.”

From Compliment Studio - A Band Ready To Kill

“Castle Black's new EP ‘Get Up, Dancer’ is the epitome of 'in ten year's you'll wish you knew them when...' It is biting, bold, powerful and evocative. There are no punches held back, and every note is patiently planned and potent. If you're lucky enough to appreciate what being able to see a 2021 incarnation of The Kills in a 40 person standing room bar basement, with a true to life inheritor of Allison Mosshart's strength as a tour-de-force woman rock and roll lead in Leigh Celent, you will understand exactly why I am so enthusiastically expressing my affinity for Castle Black.

From NY Music Daily: Castle Black Take Their Dark Unpredictability to the Next Level

“a scorchingly eclectic new short album, Get Up Dancer …”

“It’s rewarding to see Celent refusing to stay in one place and find dark new avenues to explore. Count this as one of the most intriguing and best rock records of 2021.’

From New Fury Media - New York’s Castle Black Roars on New EP, “Get Up, Dancer”

“Singer Leigh Celent is a force of nature across these six songs, and if powerful vocals over punchy guitar riffs is your thing, you’ll find a lot to like here.”

From Sound Read Six: All Hail the Radio Queen from New York’s Castle Black

“Catchy chorus lines and hurled guitar riffs that bounce into drum-fused walls instigate a dramatic and upbeat smash through glorious convictions.”

From L13 - “You’ll Be ‘Sorry’ If You Miss Castle Black’s New Music Video

“Both powerful and hard-hitting, Castle Black has never sounded so commanding and effective as they move furiously into the next chapter of their impressive career.”

From New York Music Daily - Holding Fort with Castle Black in Long Island City

“Celent’s fragmented imagery tends to be surreal, sometimes ominous or desperate: the punk and the 80s goth influences obviously play a part in that. Between the jangle, and the roar, and the occasional swoosh from the pedals, the sound of the band has come to resemble late 70s Patti Smith more and more, although the rhythmic complexity gives this group a completely unique sound.”

From Rockmommy - Castle Black on Making Surreal ‘Dream’ Music and Hunkering Down During the Traditional Season of Rebirth

“The Castle Black live experience is consistently intense and fantastic. I know this, having seen Castle Black in more than one state, and in more than one nightclub. The combination of singer Leigh Celent’s mesmerizing vocals and effects-laden, arpeggiated guitar riffs — layered over thick, powerful rhythms courtesy of bassist Scott Brown and drummer Joey Russo — get me every time.”

From Stage 1 Press - Castle Black

“Castle Black have been carving up a unique niche of music that is bold, powerful, intense, and special delivering a soulful brand of alternative rock/grunge filled with feminine angst and plenty of hooks that will mesmerize you from beginning to end.”

“This band will not only rock you but wow you with their sheer intensity and attitude.”  

“It is a ‘must see’ performance and highly recommended!”

From Dear Untitled: Take Her My Life EP Preview Review

“Within “City of the Sea” we hear the staple vocals of Celent and tempered guitar coursing through a new song we haven’t heard from Castle Black until now.

… kick back, and put yourself at ease while admiring this uniquely charismatic aura that can’t help but gush from Castle Black’s latest EP, ‘Take Her My Life‘, you’ll be 100% happy that you did!”

From Drift & Die Press

“Castle Black’s sound clarifies that grunge was never dead, instead it’s being reinvented to fit the social standards that are happening in today’s society.”

From PureGrain Audio: Brooklyn Trio CASTLE BLACK Unveil Their Poetic New EP ‘Take Her My Life’ 

Their songs defy the average and are powerful and hard-hitting, always focused on hitting that trademark hook you’re waiting for.

From Take Effect: Review of Dead in Dream EP

“Few bands in the punk/alternative/grunge realm are as exciting as Castle Black. With each subsequent release- and there are many- these New Yorkers only get more interesting, more unconventional and more dynamic in their approach.”

From Jersey Beat Editor’s Desk on the Dead in a Dream EP

“Yet this female-fronted trio offers three powerful tunes here, combining psychedelic garage-rock and grunge. It's loud, noisy, angry, and subversively, almost unexpectedly rocking, managing to sound dirty and dark and dangerous.”

From The Aquarian: A New Riot Grrrl Rises

“In 2019, a year during which pop princess Ariana Grande headlined Lollapalooza, Castle Black frontperson Leigh Celent is a welcome breath of fresh indie-rock air. Celent and Castle Black have created a new sound of uncompromised work that have drawn comparisons to nearly every type of underground rock from the last four decades. To say the singer-songwriter is a star in the making would be a severe understatement, and she has only just begun to scratch the surface.”

From The New Fury Premiere of the Dead in a Dream EP

“We’re always on the search for new music here at TNF HQ, and if there’s anything we’re really excited to introduce you to, it’s bands with only 3 members. The iconic power trio, as it were, always seems to put out intriguing music – and Brooklyn alt-rock/post-punk band Castle Black is no exception. The bands plays an interesting style of alt-rock that draws from Sonic Youth and L7, so if riot grrl bands are your thing (they should be!), this band might be right up your alley.”

From NY Music Daily: Pre Release Review of Dead in a Dream EP (Yet Another Killer Short Album)

"Over the last couple of years, power trio Castle Black have put out a series of ferociously smart, edgy short albums. Watching the group develop from a promising, messy punk band into a sleek, relentlessly dark, complicated beast has been one of the real feel-good stories in the ever-shrinking New York rock scene."

"The title track is a creepy, sabretoothed masterpiece ... " "It’s one of the half-dozen best songs of 2019 so far ... "

From Purple Revolver: Friday Firsts, Castle Black

“Know, Me Anyway, the beautiful Evanescence-like melody beckons eerily, almost dreamlike … It’s a powerful track … defiantly different.”

From Rock All Photography Magazine: Review of Castle Black etc. in Louisville, KY 3/14/19

“Performing older songs, as well as a few from their latest EP, Castle Black gave an amazing performance and no doubt made some new fans this evening.”

Dear Entitled EP Review and Interview: the gods that adored you by Castle Black

“People have said through time that music has a way of moving someone. Without a doubt, if the subconscious has not moved your head by this point in the album, well . .  you may be a lost cause. The energy embodied within this 5 track, 22 minute EP from Castle Black is a force which will withstand critiques from even the harshest outcry – that goes without saying. The vibe, the groove, everything about this record makes everyday colors just a little brighter in the world.”

From NY Music Daily: Yet Another Enigmatic, Unpredictable Short Album

“Celent’s distantly anguished vocals over delicious, grimly catchy chords blend with bass swoops and a galloping art-rock interlude in the album’s most ornately gorgeous song, Linen. Castle Black aren’t particularly retro, but songs like these remind how musically talented and outside the box those first-wave punk bands were. In that sense, Castle Black do justice to their ancestors without imitating them.”

From Rock All Photography Music Magazine: Castle Black with The Kids Born Wrong, Bear Bones and Bad Wires

“With their grungy, post-punk sound, the trio rocked the stage in a swirl of energy. Front woman/guitarist Leigh Celent commanded the stage with her aggressive vocals and drummer Joey Russo, who also drums for Bear Bones, was a bundle of energy behind his drum kit! They are an incredibly fun live band and it was clear that the crowd was having a great time!”

From Splice Magazine: Castle Black is White Hot at Boontunes

"Castle Black delivered a powerful performance.  The intimate venue ... proved to be the perfect setting for an introduction to the band’s sonic assault. And we mean that in the best way possible, this band rocks. Hard. "  "The small space meant there was no distance between fans and the band, just pure unadulterated musical angst and exuberance. Looking back, it’s difficult to fathom that so much sound came out of the 3-member band ... "  "The band performed some cuts off their fourth studio release, the gods that adored you, which blends some heavy hitting riffs coupled with Celent’s rousing vocals."

From New Noise Magazine (Tom Haugen):  Album Review "the gods that adored you"

"Five tunes from one of the best bands that exists today certainly isn’t enough, but Castle Black make the most of this quick listen as they find a unique spot between grunge, punk and New Wave. Each song here highlights something different about their extensive talent, from atmosphere and rhythm to driving, charged, melodic intensity and even a ballad of sorts with bursts of abrupt fury. Imagine an updated, more refined version of Babes In Toyland who grew up on The Jesus And Mary Chain’s Psychocandy and you’ll get some idea of how imperative these Brooklynite’s work is."

From LA Music Critic:  Get It - Castle Black

"All five songs this time around are amazing, and we can’t get enough of any of them, especially 'Linen.'  As we said last year, 'Hop on the bandwagon now cause this band is going places.'  We stand by that analysis."

From Bluesbunny:  Review of "the gods that adored you"

"I’m pretty sure that no vegetables were harmed as part of the production of this collection of five songs and it is soon obvious that this roughhouse high octane blend of guitar led rock meets punk American style was designed to do structural damage and provide the soundtrack to accompany reprobate behaviour. It’s not just volume though – although turning it right up does seem the right thing to do – as there is a story sitting behind these songs and this story, if not quite one of rebellion, is at least one that rejects current day corporate conformity and, unusually, injects unexpected elements of spirituality into the mix."

From Punk Online:  Castle Black, the gods that adored you

"Closing with Linen, Castle Black extend the length to over five and a half minutes and they use the space to lay down a compelling riff and excellent vocal that builds layer upon layer to craft a song that has been played on repeat here as it burrows into your very soul.

Castle Black are attracting a great deal of attention and this release will do no harm to their fast-growing reputation."

From The Aquarian: Enter Castle Black in Brooklyn

"Debuting their fourth studio EP, the gods that adored you, the band not only showcases their signature grunge hooks, but explores new sonic elements and challenges societal norms. More than just an album, the trio meticulously created a work that is reflected within the album title — a lack of capitalization. Castle Black characterizes this album as that: a lack of capitalization, for an improper format is to express their non-conformity to irrational standards. 

Pure Grain Audio:  Post-Punk Precision! the gods that adored you EP Exclusive Premiere

"The five-track Michael Abiuso-recorded affair (The Venetia Fair, Kiss Kiss, The Gay Blades) once again highlights the band’s female vocal attack and punk/alt-rock blend, a mighty mixture as evidenced by Castle Black’s ongoing success and energetic live shows.

With additional mixing and production perfection from none other than Mark Plati (David Bowie, Prince, Spookey Ruben, The Cure) and mastering by way of Jamal Ruhe, the names attached to this album alone are enough to warrant your time. Factor in the trio’s actual post-punk prowess and it’s a no-brainer. "

Rebel Noise:  Interview with Castle Black 

"Brooklyn-based indie alternative rock band Castle Black are on the musical attack on their potent new EP the gods that adored you, which alternates between dynamic, emotive rock and softer reflection, usually within the same song. Post-punk, indie rock, and alt-rock styles merge together on the EP, with perceptive and pointed lyrics and passionate vocals rising above it all."

From Thinking Lyrically:  Review of the gods that adored you

"Infused with grungey moments, ‘the gods that adored you’ melodically draws on rough and ready riffs and drums that give the songs pops of energy that work so well together."

"The vocals on this record in moments are delicate and then packed with fury. ‘A Cigarette, Saved’ is a good example of how this band use that range to the fullest using delicate tones and then combining the power with big melodies that make for one of the stand out tracks on the EP."

"An EP that from the moment it begins highlights fantastic melodies and even better vocals, ‘the gods that adored you’ keeps giving until the very end of the record."

From Nataliez World:  Castle Black the gods that adored you

"Castle Black have got spunk, with lots of attitude to follow suit of course ... "

From Alternative Fruit:  Castle Black "Sierra" from "the gods that adored you" 

"An 80's inspired mania of punky new-wave goodness fuels this Brooklyn based reincarnation of concentrated grunge, a fourth extended play stamps a long term brand onto every stage they play on. David Bowie's one time producer, Mark Plati, lends his fingers for a mix just to make sure we pay attention."

From Stereo Stickman:  Castle Black "Sierra"

"'I see you!' the singer calls throughout the chorus, amidst passionate instrument hits, creating so much energy that Castle Black almost materializes in front of me as I find myself shaking and chanting in unison with the words. Sierra is a song to dance to in the dark, and one could have as much fun head banging alone in the living room as out at the concert hall flouncing with friends."

From Indie Band Guru: Castle Black Makes a Difference with New Single "Sierra"

"Not many artists give so selflessly to the causes they claim to promote but, this band is quite different. It is important to support artists who have a great message and a great heart."

Pick of the Day on Turn Up the Volume:  New Roller Coaster Single "Sierra" 

"This is a slow/fast/slow/fast eruption feeling like life itself. Tumultuous, uncontrollable and merciless. Like a non-stop roller coaster with jubilant ups and depressive downs, balancing between disillusionment, hope and joy. I guess we’ll never know when this troubled planet will become a livable place for everyone regardless gender, colour or religion. ‘Sierra‘ is a significant sonic reflection of our modern struggle for life. Find out why right here, right now… "

Uncivil Revolt: World Premiere Castle Black's New Track "Sierra"

"In a world that lives in a bubble of unspeakable acts and in a time that few artists speak through music for social issues comes CASTLE BLACK with ‘Sierra’.  Taking to issue all of the tremors that are shaking the world today with the punk and tone strong voices can only make, you feel the entirety of the pain felt by many and more than you can imagine.”

The Revue:  Castle Black "Sierra"

"... creating head-smashing music ... "

Paul Hedrick Reviews Broken Bright Star

"Broken Bright Star sounds like it could be on Marilyn Manson's album Eat Me, Drink Me. It is equal parts creepy and intriguing. This band can definitely make it."

New Noise Magazine Album Review: Trapped Under All You Know

"NYC’s Castle Black have a lot more going for them than just a great band name and clever EP titles; the trio seamlessly blend ’80s punk with the heyday of grunge across powerful tunes that roar with a gritty melody."

"While the early part of the listen channels a less manic version of Babes In Toyland, by mid EP we’re closer to post-punk (think Slant 6-ish), before the hypnotic, dynamic rock of the closing tunes. Imagine if Bikini Kill were on Sub Pop records in 1993 and you’ll understand how 4 songs is just not enough here."

Music Existence's Top 10 Alternative Rock Picks of 2017 

"Castle Black’s weighty fuzz tones and rough life anecdotes define New York indie grit."

Idioteq End of the Year 2017 News Roundup

"The [Seeing in Blue] video is a perfect depiction of the Brooklyn trio’s atmospheric vibe and powerful sonic-packed sound."

New York Music Daily's Best Albums 2017, Best Shows 2017 and Best Songs of 2017 Lists

About the EP:  "Layers of reverb guitars flickering and roaring through the shadows, Leigh Celent’s power trio put out the best short rock album of 2017."

About the show:  "Not even the sonic interference from the adjacent labyrinth of rehearsal rooms could silence this beast."

About Broken Bright Star:  "Guitarist Leigh Celent’s evil, spare icepick intro kicks off this slowly marauding anthem that eventually explodes in a fireball of reverb."

From Fatter, Older:  Very Short Review - Castle Black's Trapped Under All You Know

"Trapped Under All You Know‘s best track is “Blind Curtain,” a four-and-a-half minute argument that Castle Black could be the dirtbag Sleater-Kinney that I didn’t realize I’ve been looking for." 

"The song’s biggest weapon is groove."

"It drives without pounding, it moves smoothly. It creates a place. It sounds like a car ride with someone attractive in a leather jacket who will likely screw you over. You will see it coming and stick around anyway. At its best, Castle Black makes you want to stay.

From Subversive Zine:  Review of Blind Curtain

"Every great brand of alternative mixes with punk to create the ultimate addictive song of the summer. A reminder of what dominating guitar riffs, melodic basslines, booming drums and a powerful singer with rock prowess can do."

From LA Music Critic:  Get it or Forget It Series Review of Trapped Under All You Know

"Their music will fill your head with energy and well-crafted lyrics while the beat fills your ears with musical nirvana and keeps your toes tapping.  These songs belong on radio and in your favorite television shows.  We only wish there were more than four songs to enjoy.  We will definitely be keeping our eyes open for the next installment from this band that is destined for greater things."

"Hop on the bandwagon now cause this band is going places.  Rush out and get this EP now!"

From Colorising: Stream Castle Black's New EP "Trapped Under All You Know" 

"NYC band Castle Black have released their new EP Trapped Under All You Know. Whilst pulling inspiration from raw 70s punk, 90s grunge and alternative, the 4-song record is an unapologetic and powerful sonic hitting packed with sheer force, gliding throughout the raw rock spectrum."

From NY Music Daily: Castle Black Bring Their Towering, Magnificently Dark Roar to Arlene’s This Saturday Night

"If you run a music blog, it’s especially validating to watch an artist or an act deliver on the promise of their early days."

"It was impossible to tell was coming next, except that it was bound to be loud and hard and intense – and catchy."

"Celent is really cutting loose on the mic now too. She finally unleashed that wounded wail in all its vengeful glory in the night’s best song, in fact one of the year’s best songs, Broken Bright Star, through all sorts of permutations."

From NY Music Daily:  Ferocious Power Trio Castle Black Put Out One of 2017’s Best Short Albums

"Armed with a couple of vintage Fenders, guitarist/frontwoman Leigh Celent has grown into a powerful and distinctive player equally at home with noise and melody. Bassist Lisa Low anchors the music with a looming ominousness while drummer Matt Bronner ranges from rapidfire four-on-the-floor punk to doomy metal to the occasional departure into unorthodox meters, holding the beast to the rails."

"Broken Bright Star is one of the half-dozen best songs of 2017, hands down."

"Brief as this is,  you’ll see this album on the best of 2017 page here in December if we’re still all here."

From Beehive Candy on Trapped Under All You Know

"From the first song 'Seeing In Blue' the band set out to ensure the new EP 'Trapped Under All You Know' doesn't disappoint. The mixture of frenetic punk orientated pieces alongside some hook laden grunge keeps the four song collection powerful and pleasing throughout."

From Lindsey Borders at AXS:  Female-Fronted Rock Group, Castle Black, Premiere New EP

"Brooklyn-based rock trio, Castle Black are coming in with their music full force, and packing a huge rock punch."

"Raw vocals, and well-thought out bass and guitar-hook keep your ears tuned into the last tune."

From The Big Takeover:   Song Premiere "Seeing in Blue" by Castle Black 

"The Big Takeover is excited to premiere the dynamically rousing and gritty number 'Seeing In Blue' off Castle Black’s forthcoming EP.  As the jagged edge guitar grinds, the bass line holds down the low end, and the drums pummel a kinetic tattoo, Leigh Celent and Lisa Low shout out the vivid lyrics."

From Alex Pastuhov from Behind the Curtains Media Recap on Northside Festival 2017

"The grunge/punk outfit known as Castle Black ripped through their vicious songs with purpose and precision."

"Blind Curtain Review" from Digital Wheat Paste

"Castle Black’s new single, 'Blind Curtain' comes off the line heavy as a stone slab. The guitars are deep and distorted, not heavy metal, not doom and gloom, but still forceful. As the rest of the instruments arrive the song gallops along into a driving pace. Guitarist and vocalist Leigh Celent comes in as the music articulates into a song form, unfolding some vocal melodies along the way."

Castle Black "Blind Curtain" (Song Review) on PureGrain Audio

"The guitars buzz, the melody is repetitive yet infectious and the whole thing has a grubby, dirty air about it."

Best DIY & Indie Rock of 2016 on Indie Rock Cafe

"Delivering eclectic and thunderous heavy rock sounds, powerful vocals and dark, dystopian lyrics, Brooklyn hard rock trio Castle Black’s new cinematic video – “Dark Light: A Plague Revisited” – is something to behold as far as music videos go."

"Castle Black’s sound is an inventive and stimulating mixture of genres, including classic rock, alt. rock, punk, post punk and grunge. The infusion of various genres also makes Castle Black’s style one of a kind."

“Premonition is a perfect example of the band’s genre-bending talents. On this track, the band morphs into an indie pop/post-punk outfit, ripping out a hookalicious, melody-laden summertime track ... "

From New York Music Daily, Castle Black’s New Album: A Tower of Power

"They’ve got two excellent ep’s out, along with a killer video shot at Fort Tilden ... It’s the rare video that holds your attention all the way through to see what finally happens, a mystery story in images with a ferocious soundtrack."  

"Sabotage has a mighty oldschool Britpunk feel, it’s catchy, and anthemic, and pissed off, and like a lot of this band’s songs, is packed with unexpected tempo shifts, counterintuitive major/minor changes and catchy hooks. Premonition, by contrast, is a lot more straightforward, a bitter, vivid late-summer reminiscence. The jangle/crunch dichotomy in Celent’s guitar overdubs brings to mind the Distillers."

"Bronner’s menacing rumble undpins the wickedly catchy, minor-key Secret Hideaway, part dark garage rock, part X, part Thalia Zedek."

"Leave It kicks off like a swaying, midtempo Buzzcocks ballad and then hits a burning doublespeed punk drive, like peak-era Sleater-Kinney but with better vocals. The album winds up with its best song, the hauntingly epic, doomed Dark Light, built around Celent’s menacing, opening cliffhanger riff: it’s this band’s Last Rockers."

From New York Music Daily, Power Trio Castle Black Blast Through a Tight, Killer Set in Bushwick

"Doesn’t it feel great when you stumble on an up-and-coming band who end up fulfilling their promise, and them some? Castle Black‘s sizzling set Friday night at Basement Bar in Bushwick had the fearlessness and outside-the-box creativity of classic punk rock ... Castle Black delivered that kind of defiantly individualistic energy with equal parts guitar-fueled savagery and sardonic humor."

"It’s amazing how tight this band has become over the past six months: constant gigging will do that to you. And yet, their music hasn’t lost its raw edge, or persistent unease, or outright menace. And they’re a lot of fun to watch live." 

"The band opened with the skronky postpunk of Doing Time Pass. Celent is an interesting guitarist: she likes catchy hooks, but just when things might get predictable, she veers off into noise. There was a little Andy Gill, or maybe Arto Lindsay in her jagged lines, but mostly it was just her. The band roared their way into Leave It with a slow, stalking groove, like a vintage Buzzcocks epic that they suddenly took doublespeed into anthemic Avengers territory, then back again."

Pancakes and Whiskey Northside Festival 2016 Review:   An Epic Finale to Northside Festival

"Back at the Paper Box there was hard-rockin’ trio Castle Black with a gritty and aggressive female ‘tude."

Musically Fresh, Introducing: Castle Black: Brooklyn’s Sound Bastion

"Last year the big apple saw the inception of Brooklyn founded Castle Black, a Punk/Grunge trio capturing the NY sound with a subdued, crunchy Garage-band sound with a slight L7-esque edge to their own concoction."

"Taking elements of Post-Punk, Grunge and New Wave, with a dab of surf-riffage for flavour, I can easily see myself in the pit during a Castle Black set."

From New York Music Daily:  Meet Darkly Noisy, Catchy, Up-and-Coming Castle Black

"Castle Black are the kind of band you want to catch on the way up. Right now, the power trio are running on inspiration. They’re pushing the limits of their chops, careening through a bunch of styles – old school punk, abrasive post-Bush Tetras post-punk and noisy later-period Sleater-Kinney indie aggro, to name a few – on their way to really crystallizing a sound of their own."  

"There’s Premonition, which has a sludgy country feel and then picks up steam; the epic Dark Light: A Plague Revisited, with the eerie foreshadowing of its opening hook, to a series of unexpected up-and-down tempo shifts; The Next Thing, with its trippy, oscillating white noise and mashup of stoner metal riffage and viciously chugging old school punk rumble."  

From Tanya Tabone, at Indiemunity:  Castle Black – Find You There EP

"The opening bars of the EP will tear you away from what you are doing to listen. The aggressive female vocals and hard hitting beats are reminiscent of Hole’s best songs, and the dirty garage sound of the guitars on ‘Psychic Surgery’ will have you air guitaring along in no time. The vocals on this song are high pitched and hard hitting – everything a female lead rock singer should be."

From Tina Federspiel from Indieball

“First thing that comes to my mind when hearing "The Next Thing" is rock music similar to Sleater-Kinney. Eighties rock fast forwards into the year 2015 ..and you have the sound of Castle Black. I envision being in a secluded downtown NY bar.... that only fits about 100 people in the room and everyone watching the band with eager eyes.

Musically Fresh Album Review On YouTube (Album Review Begins at 6:30):

"Now I know nobody's going to agree with me on this but to me they remind me of Evanescence meets The Distillers.  Castle Black is a three piece female fronted band, and I think probably the most apt genre they can be described as is alt rock.  Basically if you enjoy good old-fashioned alt rock, these guys should be your staple.    I love their sound, it's simple and clean.  Well, not really simple because actually they're doing a lot of little, subtle, complex things, but you get the idea. There's no bullshit to their music.  It's just good.  It all fits perfectly, it's clean."

From Josh Hershkovitzat Speak Into My Good Eye:  Live Review: Big D and the Kids Table, Teenage Halloween, Counterpunch, Doped Up Dollies & Castle Black Played Brighton Bar

"I got there early enough to catch the openers, one of which I had never seen. Castle Black was an interesting addition to the lineup and unfortunately I only saw a few of their songs. I was treated to some gritty, aggressive female vocals."

 

Holding Fort with Castle Black in Long Island City

 

 
 

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