When Crystal Castles released their latest single “Wrath of God” in September, the fans of goth-rave, synth-pop, and EDM got what they were waiting for. “Wrath of God,” the second song of the duo’s upcoming album III (out on November 5), offers listeners the distinct Crystal Castles beats we miss, with stubborn and sharp drum kicks and jerky synthesizers that will make your head spin.
The song is part of a unique experience for the duo, since Ethan Kath shouldered the production of III, banning the use of computers in the studio; it is safe to say that “Wrath of God” benefits from this experiment. The analog approach shows itself via the rawness of the beats and Alice Glass’s pure but dark voice, harmonizing with the repetitive but not monotonous pulse of the song.
Even though the enigmatic album III will be, as Kath explains, a “completely different experience,” it is hard to tell from “Wrath of God” what this experience will be like since the song is full of Crystal Castles’ signature techniques — “bleak” noises, fragile and anemic vocals, and disrupted harmonies.
It is only fair to point out that the single is far away from a disappointing attempt but a brilliant and curiosity filled preview for an awaited album that will surely satisfy many lovers of electronic music.