Castle live at Rockin’ Buffalo Saloon, NY on August 2nd, 2016

Live review: Pam and Mark Schaff

Photos: Pam and Mark Schaff

After seeing Castle in June at The Maryland Doom Fest, we knew this would be a great show. Couldn’t wait to see them play at the Rockin’ Buffalo Saloon. They didn’t disappoint that’s for sure. Getting to see this 2013 JUNO award nominated band twice in two months was amazing. The band is currently out on tour supporting the new album “Welcome to the Graveyard” which was released July 15th via Ván Records.

First up was the Rochester, NY band, Saints and Wino’s. Playing a great set, they got the crowd going some heavy tunes. Joe Dellaquilla Guitar and Vocals, Amanda Rampe Bass and Vocals and J.B. Rodgers Drums and Vocals sounded great they got the crowd warmed up as if they were not already warm on this muggy August evening. A band worth checking out that’s for sure.

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https://www.facebook.com/SaintsAndWinos/?fref=ts

Next onstage, was Blizaro, another Rochester band that had just joined Castle on tour a few days before. These guys (and gal) were awesome. Blending some great guitar with keyboards/organ sounds to create a very doomy/psychedelic sound all their own. John Gallo Guitar, synth/organ and vocals, Mark Rapone Bass and fill in drummer, Monica Finger from the band Elfspell. Looking forward to hearing more from this band in the future.

Blizaro 1 Blizaro 2

https://www.facebook.com/Blizaro-164692483566639/?fref=ts

Now the time was here for the headliner Castle. They played a show to remember. There’s not much we could say about this band that other people aren’t saying. Castle is definitely a band on the rise.

The Rockin’ Buffalo Saloon was the place to be Tuesday night. Ripping through a one hour set, The husband and wife duo Mat Davis guitar and vocals and Liz Blackwell bass and vocals, along with an amazing touring drummer who’s name completely escapes us at the moment brought their brand of self described Witch Trash to Buffalo, NY. Playing a mix of songs from their four studio albums, including the 2013 JUNO award nominated ‘Blacklands’. The energy levels were off the charts as Mat and Liz, lit up the venue with heavy guitar riffs, amazing vocals, and a punishing bass sound.

When the band performed the song ‘Down in the Cauldron Bog’ The hauntingly beautiful intro sends chills down ones spine. So glad they played it. ‘Black Widow’ & ‘Flash Of The Pentagram’ were also standout songs within a set that had nothing but standout songs. All the songs off the new album sounded great.

Loved seeing them perform ‘Evil Ways’ from the album ‘Under Siege’ and ‘Corpse Candles’ off the ‘Blacklands’ album.

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At the end of the night, when the show was over, our friend Sara turned to us and said “How have I not heard of this band?!!” She held up her hands and they were actually trembling . She was completely blown away by Castle’s performance as was the rest of the crowd. That’s the power of great music when it creates such a visceral reaction within a person that’s amazing. That’s what this band does every night, blow people away with great songs and and a killer performance. They can play to a crowd of 50 people or 50,000 they will give the same amazing performance. Nobody leaves disappointed!

The set list below is what was one stage but Liz informed us that they didn’t necessarily play them in that order, but it’s a guide as to what songs you can expect to hear from Castle each night. But in the end, it doesn’t really matter what they play, it’s all guaranteed to rock, kick ass and blow you away!

Castle is currently on a North American tour through the end of September before heading to Europe for the month of October then Japan in December.

We sat down with Mat Davis before the show for an interview, be sure to check it out. It will be up soon.

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