Austrian deathcore collective Castiel has announced their new EP, All Returns to Hollow and Silence, set for release on July 24th via Seek and Strike. Alongside the announcement, they’ve released the first track and video, ‘Act I: Defile // Denounce’.
This EP is an immersive conceptual release, unfolding chapter by chapter. ‘Act I: Defile // Denounce’ is the devastating opening salvo.
Watch ‘Act I: Defile // Denounce’ here:
The track immediately signals Castiel’s intent, pairing punishing low-tuned riffs with bursts of relentless speed and precision. It’s heavier and more dynamic than before, setting a brutal foundation for the record.
All Returns to Hollow and Silence marks a genuine step forward for the band. While firmly rooted in deathcore, Castiel pulls from a diverse range of influences, embracing contrast and atmosphere alongside the destructive elements.
“This EP is heavier, more brutal but also more emotional than anything we’ve done before as a band,” the band said. “We’ve pushed ourselves creatively while staying true to who we are, this feels like the most complete version of Castiel yet.”
The new EP is a continuous story, with each track acting as a chapter in a wider narrative. This idea extends visually, as every song will receive its own video. The core of All Returns to Hollow and Silence explores a shifting relationship between two central protagonists, drawing subtle inspiration from World of Warcraft’s Arthas Menethil and Jaina Proudmoore.
Musically, expect the oppressive weight and atmosphere of Black Tongue and Humanity’s Last Breath, combined with the raw aggression of Bodysnatcher and The Acacia Strain. The result is a record that moves seamlessly between suffocating heaviness and explosive intensity.
Emerging from Klagenfurt, Austria in 2014, Castiel built a name with bleak atmospheres and downtempo heaviness through releases like their debut single ‘Human Scum’ and the Exitium EP (2015), followed by Blasphemy in 2017. After some lineup changes and a hiatus, they returned in 2023 with Shadowlands, and then 2025’s Khaos EP. Now, signing with Seek and Strike, this EP is their most ambitious work to date.
Known for intense live shows, Castiel has shared stages with Distant, Carnifex, and Born of Osiris. Stay tuned for upcoming live dates.
All Returns to Hollow and Silence Tracklist:
- Act I: Defile // Denounce
- Act II: A Festering Wound
- Act III: Vile Spirits
- Act IV: Empty Throne
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