Crystal Castles

{{main|Alice Practice}}

Ethan Kath (born Claudio Palmieri) met Alice Glass (born Margaret Osborn) in Toronto, Ontario, when she was in the 10th grade and he was 10 years her senior.{{cite web |url=http://www.alice-glass.com/cc/ |title=Alice Glass Statement {{!}} alice-glass.com|last=alice-glass.com |website=alice-glass.com |language=en-GB |access-date=October 24, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220217033750/https://alice-glass.com/cc/ |archive-date=February 17, 2022 |url-status=live }} Kath had already found some fame in Toronto's music scene, having made appearances on local television with his previous band, Kïll Cheerleadër. A couple of years later, Kath asked Glass to record vocals over tracks he had been working on since 2003. The sessions resulted in the track "Alice Practice", which was shelved for six months.

After being posted online, this track garnered attention and the duo decided to re-form for a formal release. The pair picked their stage names together, with the name "Crystal Castles" pulled from a line in the cartoon She-Ra: Princess of Power: "The fate of the world is safe in Crystal Castles."{{cite web|title=Crystal Castles Interview, mp3s, secret show!|url=http://sparksvsspace.blogspot.com/2007/06/3-newer-cc-remixes.html|website=sparks vs space|access-date=April 16, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080516185801/http://sparksvsspace.blogspot.com/2007/06/3-newer-cc-remixes.html|archive-date=May 16, 2008|date=June 12, 2007|url-status=dead}}

Alice Practice became the band's first limited vinyl release in 2006.{{Cite web|url=http://www.planbmag.com/content/view/492/42/|title=Crystal Castles Interview – Plan B Magazine|last=Gillen|first=Kieron|date=January 3, 2008|website=plan B magazine|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080103053445/http://www.planbmag.com/content/view/492/42/|archive-date=January 3, 2008 |url-status=usurped|access-date=May 13, 2016}}{{cite web|last1=Brandes|first1=Bertie|title=crystal castles' leading lady alice glass is embracing her own darkness|url=https://i-d.vice.com/en_gb/article/crystal-castles-leading-lady-alice-glass-is-embracing-her-own-darkness|publisher=ID-Vice|date=February 17, 2015|access-date=April 29, 2015|archive-date=November 28, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151128193750/http://i-d.vice.com/en_gb/article/crystal-castles-leading-lady-alice-glass-is-embracing-her-own-darkness|url-status=dead}}{{cite web|last1=Mcnett|first1=Jared|title=Five songs to listen to now that Crystal Castles appear to be done|url=http://www.voxmagazine.com/2014/10/five-songs-to-listen-to-now-that-crystal-castles-appear-to-be-done/|work=Vox Magazine|date=October 8, 2014|access-date=April 29, 2015|archive-date=June 26, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150626102458/http://www.voxmagazine.com/2014/10/five-songs-to-listen-to-now-that-crystal-castles-appear-to-be-done/|url-status=live}} After miming the song on the British television series Skins, demand for the Alice Practice EP grew rapidly.{{Cite web |url=http://www.pitchforkmedia.com/page/forkcast/40769 |title="Air War"/ "Lovers Who Uncover (Little Ones Remix)" [MP3s] |website= PitchforkMedia.com |access-date= 2007-04-08 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20070505230035/http://www.pitchforkmedia.com/page/forkcast/40769#Crystal_Castles_Rising_Crystal_Castles_ |archive-date= 2007-05-05 |url-status=dead }} Several limited-edition 7-inch vinyl singles followed in 2006 and 2007 on various independent labels, including two on London's Trouble Records. In February 2008, Kath said his aim was to "...make the most annoying sounds ever [for Alice to] scream over and then we'll try to open for Melt Banana".

{{main|Crystal Castles (2008 album)}}

On March 18, 2008, Lies Records collected most of the vinyl singles and released them on CD and 12-inch vinyl for their debut eponymous album titled Crystal Castles, along with many previously unreleased tracks and three songs recorded for the collection.{{cite web |last=Cohen |first=Ian |url=https://www.pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/11215-crystal-castles/ |title=Crystal Castles: Crystal Castles |work=Pitchfork |date=March 17, 2008 |access-date=September 17, 2011 |archive-date=July 8, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210708190242/https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/11215-crystal-castles/ |url-status=live }}[https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/1045903/crystal-castles "Crystal Castles"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200813104331/https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/1045903/crystal-castles |date=August 13, 2020 }}. Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. April 9, 2008. Retrieved August 7, 2017. As Kath had declared, some of the tracks, including "XXZXCUZX ME", were deliberately designed to be grating. This eponymous debut album was included in NME's "Top 100 Greatest Albums of the Decade" list at number 39.{{cite magazine | last = Magazine | first = NME | title = The Top 100 Greatest Albums of the Decade | magazine = NME | url = https://www.nme.com/list/the-top-100-greatest-albums-of-the-decade/158049/page/7 | access-date = November 15, 2009 | archive-date = November 20, 2009 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20091120175213/http://www.nme.com/list/the-top-100-greatest-albums-of-the-decade/158049/page/7 | url-status = live }}

In mid-2008, Pitchfork and the Torontoist blog published stories about Crystal Castles' use of Trevor Brown's artwork without his permission. The image, depicting the singer Madonna with a black eye,{{cite web

|title = Crystal Castles Caught Up in Artwork Controversy

|url = http://www.pitchforkmedia.com/article/news/50168-crystal-castles-caught-up-in-artwork-controversy

|access-date = April 23, 2008

|url-status = dead

|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080426202817/http://www.pitchforkmedia.com/article/news/50168-crystal-castles-caught-up-in-artwork-controversy

|archive-date = April 26, 2008

}}{{cite web|title=Untrust Us|date=April 16, 2008|url=http://torontoist.com/2008/04/crystal_castles_trevor_brown.php|publisher=Torontoist.com|access-date=April 23, 2008|archive-date=May 21, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110521074152/http://torontoist.com/2008/04/crystal_castles_trevor_brown.php|url-status=live}} was used as the band's logo. The issue was resolved after the band bought the rights to use the image from Brown.

In one of Kath's earliest unreleased demos, he incorporated a sample without permission; years later his record label discovered the track and uploaded it to the label's MySpace page without Kath's permission, and without credit to the original sampled song.{{cite web |last=Thiessen |first=Brock |url=http://www.exclaim.ca/articles/generalarticlesynopsfullart.aspx?csid1=121&csid2=844&fid1=31229 |title=Crystal Castles Accused of Plagiarism |publisher=Exclaim.ca |date=May 6, 2008 |access-date=February 21, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081211094054/http://www.exclaim.ca/articles/generalarticlesynopsfullart.aspx?csid1=121&csid2=844&fid1=31229 |archive-date=December 11, 2008 }} The track, "Insectica" (CC vs Lo-Bat version), uses clips chopped out of a song by Lo-bat called "My Little Droid Needs a Hand", released under a Creative Commons license. Another track called "Love and Caring", samples the kick and snare from Covox's "Sunday".{{cite web |url=http://blogto.com/music/2008/05/crystal_castles_creative_commons_controversy/ |title=Crystal Castles' Creative Commons Controversy |publisher=Blogto.com |date=May 6, 2008 |access-date=February 21, 2011 |archive-date=August 15, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110815172202/http://www.blogto.com/music/2008/05/crystal_castles_creative_commons_controversy/ |url-status=live }}{{cite web | last = Kern | first = Peter | title = Chiptune Music Theft Continues; Crystal Castles Abuses Creative Commons License | date = May 5, 2008 | publisher = createdigitalmusic | url = http://createdigitalmusic.com/2008/05/05/chiptune-music-theft-continues-crystal-castles-abuses-creative-commons-license/ | access-date = May 5, 2008 | archive-date = August 18, 2010 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20100818083802/http://createdigitalmusic.com/2008/05/05/chiptune-music-theft-continues-crystal-castles-abuses-creative-commons-license/ | url-status = live }}{{cite web |url=http://www.chartattack.com/news/53762/crystal-castles-accused-of-stealing-songs |title=Crystal Castles Accused Of Stealing Songs |publisher=Chartattack.com |date=May 6, 2008 |access-date=February 21, 2011 |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110221150214/http://www.chartattack.com/news/53762/crystal-castles-accused-of-stealing-songs |archive-date=February 21, 2011 }}

File:Crystal Castles - Coachella 2009 (side).jpg 2009]]

Crystal Castles toured and performed at numerous festivals around the world to support the album, including Ireland's Oxegen Festival, the All Points West Music & Arts Festival in New Jersey, Coachella Valley and Music Festival in Indio, California, the Heineken Open'er Festival in Poland, and the Reading and Leeds Festivals in England.{{cite web | last = Kharas | first = Kev | title = Reading & Leeds: Lock Up / Dance line-ups revealed | publisher = Drowned in Sound | url = http://www.drownedinsound.com/articles/2082567 | access-date = September 4, 2007 | archive-date = September 10, 2007 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070910145827/http://www.drownedinsound.com/articles/2082567 | url-status = dead }}{{cite web | last = Wright | first = Ian | title = Dancing About Architecture 08.14.07 | publisher = 411mania | url = http://www.411mania.com/music/columns/58341/Dancing-About-Architecture-08.14.07.htm | access-date = September 4, 2007 | url-status = dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070926234140/http://www.411mania.com/music/columns/58341/Dancing-About-Architecture-08.14.07.htm | archive-date = September 26, 2007 }}{{cite magazine | title = Report: Amy Winehouse Hospitalized; Initial CMJ Bill Unveiled | magazine = Spin | url = http://www.spin.com/features/news/2007/08/070810_winehouse_acl/ | access-date = September 4, 2007 | archive-date = September 29, 2007 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070929120847/http://www.spin.com/features/news/2007/08/070810_winehouse_acl/ | url-status = live }}{{cite web | last = Solarski | first = Matthew | title = CMJ 07: Spoon, Xiu Xiu, Deerhunter, Deacon, Justice | website = Pitchfork | url = http://www.pitchforkmedia.com/article/news/44755-cmj-07-spoon-xiu-xiu-deerhunter-deacon-justice | access-date = September 4, 2007 | url-status = dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080108070520/http://www.pitchforkmedia.com/article/news/44755-cmj-07-spoon-xiu-xiu-deerhunter-deacon-justice | archive-date = January 8, 2008 }}{{cite web | last = Zeiss | first = John | title = Fest mania: 2007 CMJ lineup coming together | work = Prefix magazine | url = http://www.prefixmag.com/blog/cmj-2007-2/6673 | access-date = September 4, 2007 | url-status = dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20071120132253/http://www.prefixmag.com/blog/cmj-2007-2/6673 | archive-date = November 20, 2007 }} They headlined a Vice magazine tour across the UK in November 2007,{{cite web | last = Kharas | first = Kev | title = These New Puritans, Teenagers, Crystal Castles for Unitaur | publisher = Drowned in Sound | url = http://www.drownedinsound.com/articles/2442871 | access-date = October 15, 2007 | archive-date = October 8, 2007 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20071008031226/http://drownedinsound.com/articles/2442871 | url-status = dead }} and the 2008 NME New Noise tour across the UK.{{cite web |last1=Singer |first1=Phil |title=Crystal Castles Headline NME New Noise Tour May 2008, March 2008 |url=https://theregoesthefear.com/2008/03/crystal-castles-headline-nme-new-noise-tour-may-2008.php |website=theregoesthefear.com |publisher=There Goes the Fear |access-date=2021-09-28 |archive-date=September 29, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210929081619/https://theregoesthefear.com/2008/03/crystal-castles-headline-nme-new-noise-tour-may-2008.php |url-status=live }}

Crystal Castles performed at the Glastonbury Festival in June 2008, where the on-stage antics of Glass, including climbing the rigging and stage-diving, led to the organizers curtailing their set.{{cite web | title = Crystal Castles Anger Glastonbury Staff | publisher = ContactMusic.com | url = http://www.contactmusic.com/news.nsf/article/crystal%20castles%20anger%20glastonbury%20staff_1072888 | access-date = July 2, 2008 | archive-date = July 1, 2008 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080701233330/http://www.contactmusic.com/news.nsf/article/crystal%20castles%20anger%20glastonbury%20staff_1072888 | url-status = live }} Crystal Castles played five dates with Nine Inch Nails in August 2008.{{cite web |last1=Melia |first1=Daniel |title=Chrystal Castles, Does It Offend..., May 2008 |url=https://www.gigwise.com/news/42887/ |website=gigwise.com |publisher=Gigwise |access-date=2021-09-29 |archive-date=September 29, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210929080118/https://www.gigwise.com/news/42887/ |url-status=live }}{{cite web |title=2008/07/26 Seattle, WA |url=https://www.nin.wiki/2008/07/26_Seattle,_WA |website=nin.wiki |date=October 29, 2015 |access-date=2021-09-29 |archive-date=September 29, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210929080117/https://www.nin.wiki/2008/07/26_Seattle,_WA |url-status=live }} The band also played Connect 2008 and the Iceland Airwaves festival. Over Halloween, they played a gig in LA that involved Alice Glass wrecking the drum kit.

They supported Blur on the first of two comeback shows in Hyde Park, London in July 2009. They also performed at the 2009 Bonnaroo Music & Arts Festival in Manchester, Tennessee. Back in Toronto, Crystal Castles performed at the Sound Academy as part of the Time Festival.[https://nowtoronto.com/music/concert-reviews/time-festival-at-sound-academy/ "Time Festival was top notch"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181126181503/https://nowtoronto.com/music/concert-reviews/time-festival-at-sound-academy/ |date=November 26, 2018 }}. NOW Toronto, by Jordan Bimm, July 27, 2009

{{main|Crystal Castles II}}

The band began recording their second album in a variety of locations including an abandoned church in Iceland, a self-built cabin in northern Ontario, a garage behind an abandoned drug store in Detroit, as well as Paul Epworth's London studio.{{cite web |url=http://crystalcastles.com/forum/index.php?topic=357 |title=2nd album update |publisher=Crystalcastles.com |accessdate=2011-08-30 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120630183412/http://crystalcastles.com/forum/index.php?topic=357 |archive-date=June 30, 2012 |url-status=dead }} Of the experience, Kath said, "I recorded most of the record in the coldest winter in decades in a church without heat in Iceland. It was so cold that when I listen back I can hear myself shivering. I chose it because it felt right".{{Cite web|url=http://straightfrommyblood.tumblr.com/post/4638114971/i-recorded-most-of-the-record-in-the-coldest|title=I recorded most of the record in the coldest winter in decades in a church without heat in Iceland. It was so cold that when I listen back I can hear myself shivering. I chose it because it felt right|access-date=November 20, 2021|archive-date=November 20, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211120005405/https://straightfrommyblood.tumblr.com/post/4638114971/i-recorded-most-of-the-record-in-the-coldest|url-status=live}} In December 2009, Kath gave vocalist Alice Glass a CD-R containing 70 instrumental tracks, for which she then recorded vocals on 35 tracks.

The group's second album, released variously as Crystal Castles, Crystal Castles (II), and simply (II), was released on May 24, 2010. With the release of their second album, their music became more aesthetic and more sharply focused,{{cite web |url=https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/14190-crystal-castles/ |title=Pitchfork – reviews – Crystal Castles |website=Pitchfork |access-date=May 22, 2011 |archive-date=January 19, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210119183942/https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/14190-crystal-castles/ |url-status=live }} mixing synth pop and loud rock sounds with increasing skill.{{cite web |url=https://allmusic.com/album/crystal-castles-ii-r1813702/review |title=allmusic.com – Crystal Castles (II) review |website=AllMusic |access-date=May 22, 2011 |archive-date=November 23, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101123105647/http://www.allmusic.com/album/crystal-castles-ii-r1813702/review |url-status=live }} In April 2010, an early mix of the album leaked, prompting the label to release prior to the originally-planned date of June. The album was moderately successful charting in the UK at number 48, the US at number 188 and number 25 in Australia. The first two singles were "Celestica" and "Baptism". The third single, "Not in Love" featuring Robert Smith from the Cure, became the band's highest-charting single at that time.

File:Crystal Castles in Helsinki 1.jpg

To support the album, the band played the Latitude Festival, Glastonbury 2010, RockNess 2010, the Pohoda Festival in Trenčín, Slovakia, the Exit Festival in Novi Sad, Serbia, the Emmabodafestivalen in Emmaboda, Sweden, BBC Radio 1's Big Weekend in Wales, and the 2010 Estrella Levante SOS 4.8 in Murcia, Spain. Crystal Castles did a Full-Length UK tour in November 2010, and headlined Hard Festival 2010.{{cite web |url=http://www.hardfest.com/summer2010.php |title=HARD Summer Tour 2010 |publisher=Hardfest.com |access-date=February 21, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110106173912/http://www.hardfest.com/summer2010.php |archive-date=January 6, 2011 |url-status=dead }}

In January 2011, Alice broke her ankle and had to perform some shows on crutches,{{cite web |url=http://www.chartattack.com/news/2011/jan/21/crystal-castles-alice-glass-hospitalized-with-broken-ankle |title=Crystal Castles' Alice Glass Hospitalized With Broken Ankle |publisher=CHARTattack |date=January 21, 2011 |access-date=February 21, 2011 |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110123150345/http://www.chartattack.com/news/2011/jan/21/crystal-castles-alice-glass-hospitalized-with-broken-ankle |archive-date=January 23, 2011 }} but the band headlined the Shockwaves NME Awards Tour 2011 in the United Kingdom alongside Magnetic Man, Everything Everything and the Vaccines. They also performed the 2011 Ultra Music Festival{{cite web |title=Ultra Music Festival 2011 Lineup |url=https://ultramusicfestival.com/previous-lineups/ |website=ultramusicfestival.com |publisher=Ultra Music Festival |access-date=2021-09-29 |archive-date=October 21, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201021140516/https://ultramusicfestival.com/previous-lineups/ |url-status=live }} in Miami, the Danish music festival NorthSide Festival in Aarhus, Australia's Big Day Out festival and Bestival, alongside the Cure whose vocalist, Robert Smith, contributed to Crystal Castles' new version of "Not in Love", the last night of Oxegen 2011 in Ireland,{{cite web|url=http://www.oxegen.ie/wp-content/themes/oxegen/images/lineup/poster-2011.jpg|title=Oxegen 2011 Lineup|access-date=September 7, 2012|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141216032715/http://www.oxegen.ie/wp-content/themes/oxegen/images/lineup/poster-2011.jpg|archive-date=December 16, 2014}} and Moogfest in Asheville, North Carolina.{{cite news |last1=Whitman |first1=Marc |title=Moogfest 2011 Lineup, Aug 2011 |url=https://livemusicblog.com/news/moogfest-2011-lineup-flaming-lips-james-murphy-sts9-tvotr/ |newspaper=Live Music Blog |date=August 16, 2011 |publisher=LIVE |access-date=2021-09-29 |archive-date=September 29, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210929080116/https://livemusicblog.com/news/moogfest-2011-lineup-flaming-lips-james-murphy-sts9-tvotr/ |url-status=live }}

Crystal Castles won the John Peel Award for Innovation at the Shockwaves NME Awards 2011, an award that recognizes an act who possesses a pioneering spirit and uncompromising approach to music. At the end of the summer, Rolling Stone named Crystal Castles icons of 20 Years of Lollapalooza.{{cite web|title=Lollapalooza Through the Years|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/photos/lollapalooza-through-the-years-10-iconic-moments-in-style-20110809|work=rollingstone.com Celebs|date=9 August 2011|publisher=rollingstone.com|access-date=21 August 2011|archive-date=September 18, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110918202726/http://www.rollingstone.com/music/photos/lollapalooza-through-the-years-10-iconic-moments-in-style-20110809|url-status=live}}

{{main|III (Crystal Castles album)}}

In March 2012, Crystal Castles announced their relocation to Warsaw, Poland, to begin recording their third album. A fan's video of the band's June 9 performance at Parklife 2012 was uploaded to YouTube, boasting the first appearance of new song "Plague",{{cite web |url=https://pitchfork.com/news/46869-watch-crystal-castles-perform-a-new-song |title=Watch Crystal Castles Perform a New Song | News |website=Pitchfork |date=June 15, 2012 |access-date=August 21, 2012 |archive-date=August 18, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120818140243/http://pitchfork.com/news/46869-watch-crystal-castles-perform-a-new-song/? |url-status=live }} which was released as the album's first single on July 25. On September 26, the band released second single "Wrath of God". The band performed on the Main Stage of Reading and Leeds Festival 2012. They also appeared at Electric Picnic 2012 in Ireland and The Parklife Weekender in Manchester. Crystal Castles toured North America in the fall of 2012 with old collaborators HEALTH.{{cite web |url=https://pitchfork.com/news/47228-crystal-castles-announce-tour-with-health/ |title=Crystal Castles Announce Tour With HEALTH | News |website=Pitchfork |date=July 26, 2012 |access-date=August 21, 2012 |archive-date=August 28, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120828182234/http://pitchfork.com/news/47228-crystal-castles-announce-tour-with-health/ |url-status=live }}

The album (III) was released on November 7.{{cite web|url=http://prettymuchamazing.com/news/crystal-castles-iii-tracklist-revealed|title=Crystal Castles: (III) Tracklist Revealed|work=Prettymuchamazing.com|access-date=October 22, 2012|archive-date=April 16, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190416100046/https://prettymuchamazing.com/news/crystal-castles-iii-tracklist-revealed|url-status=dead}} During recording of their third album, Kath decided to forgo the use of computers,{{cite web |url=https://www.nme.com/news/crystal-castles--2/66326/ |title=Crystal Castles unveil new single |website=NME |date=February 26, 2010 |access-date=September 27, 2012 |archive-date=September 27, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120927235633/http://www.nme.com/news/crystal-castles--2/66326 |url-status=live }} and ditched their old synthesizers and keyboards. They also recorded each track in one take. This gave their new recordings a significantly different sound, less practised and more original. "Sad Eyes" was the album's third single, released January 2013. "Affection" was released as the fourth single in April 2013. A planned fifth single, "Telepath", did not materialize.{{cite web |last=Fitzmaurice |first=Larry |url=https://pitchfork.com/news/48420-new-crystal-castles-affection/ |title=New Crystal Castles: "Affection" |publisher=Pitchfork Media |date=October 31, 2012 |access-date=November 11, 2012 |archive-date=November 3, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121103015610/http://pitchfork.com/news/48420-new-crystal-castles-affection/ |url-status=live }}

More tour dates were announced in early 2013.{{cite web |last=Young |first=Alex |url=https://consequence.net/2013/01/crystal-castles-announce-2013-tour-dates/ |title=Crystal Castles announce 2013 tour dates |website=Consequence of Sound |date=January 9, 2013 |access-date=November 19, 2021 |archive-date=November 19, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211119194208/https://consequence.net/2013/01/crystal-castles-announce-2013-tour-dates/ |url-status=live }} This included a return to Australia to play the Big Day Out,{{cite web |last1=Egging |first1=Kiel |title=Crystal Castles Australian Tour 2013 – Big Day Out Sideshows |url=https://musicfeeds.com.au/news/crystal-castles-australian-tour-2013-big-day-out-sideshows/ |website=musicfeeds.com.au |date=September 17, 2012 |publisher=Musicfeeds |access-date=2021-09-29}} and traveling to Colombian for the 2013 Estéreo Picnic Festival in Bogotá D.C. Following the North American leg of their headlining tour, the group performed as the opening act for Depeche Mode on The Delta Machine Tour, performing in Phoenix, Mountain View, Santa Barbara, San Diego, Dallas, and Houston.{{cite web |last=Battan |first=Carrie |url=https://pitchfork.com/news/49996-bat-for-lashes-and-crystal-castles-touring-with-depeche-mode/ |title=Bat for Lashes and Crystal Castles Touring With Depeche Mode |publisher=Pitchfork Media |date=April 4, 2013 |access-date=November 19, 2021 |archive-date=November 19, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211119194208/https://pitchfork.com/news/49996-bat-for-lashes-and-crystal-castles-touring-with-depeche-mode/ |url-status=live }}

In October 2014, via a Facebook post, Alice Glass announced that she was leaving Crystal Castles, that the band was finished, and that she intended to pursue a solo career.{{cite news|last1=Eakin|first1=Marah|title=Crystal Castles Call It Quits|url=https://www.avclub.com/article/crystal-castles-call-it-quits-210239|newspaper=The A.V. Club|date=October 8, 2014|access-date=April 21, 2020|archive-date=August 20, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170820201944/http://www.avclub.com/article/crystal-castles-call-it-quits-210239|url-status=live}}{{Cite web |last=Snapes |first=Laura |date=June 15, 2018 |url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2018/jun/15/alice-glass-on-leaving-crystal-castles-the-cruelty-never-ceases-to-amaze-me |title=Alice Glass on leaving Crystal Castles: 'The cruelty never ceases to amaze me' |website=The Guardian |access-date=November 13, 2021 |archive-date=July 15, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190715143606/https://www.theguardian.com/music/2018/jun/15/alice-glass-on-leaving-crystal-castles-the-cruelty-never-ceases-to-amaze-me |url-status=live }} Crystal Castles' manager assured fans that the band would continue without her.{{Cite web|title = Crystal Castles' manager suggests band may not be over {{!}} NME.COM|url = https://www.nme.com/news/music/crystal-castles-2-20-1242022|website = NME.COM|access-date = September 25, 2015|last = NME.COM|date = October 8, 2014|archive-date = June 21, 2017|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20170621124344/http://www.nme.com/news/music/crystal-castles-2-20-1242022|url-status = live}}

{{main|Amnesty (I)}}

On April 16, 2015, Ethan Kath released a new Crystal Castles track, "Frail", featuring a new vocalist named Edith Frances. The song was accompanied with a caption by Kath, wishing Glass well but stating that she did not appear on the band's well-known songs. The caption was soon removed, but Glass responded by calling Kath's statement "manipulative" and said she helped shaped the band's aesthetic from the very beginning.{{cite magazine | title = Ex-Crystal Castles' Alice Glass Hits Back At Former Bandmate Ethan Kath, Calls Him 'Manipulative' | magazine = Spin | url = https://www.spin.com/2015/04/crystal-castles-breakup-alice-glass-fight-ethan-kath/ | access-date = November 19, 2021 | archive-date = November 19, 2021 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20211119091311/https://www.spin.com/2015/04/crystal-castles-breakup-alice-glass-fight-ethan-kath/ | url-status = live }} On July 2, 2015, another new song, "Deicide", was released. Crystal Castles' first live performance with the new vocalist was on November 27 at Soundswild Festival in Johannesburg, South Africa.{{cite web |url=https://pitchfork.com/news/62292-crystal-castles-perform-first-shows-without-alice-glass/ |title=Crystal Castles Perform First Shows Without Alice Glass |website=Pitchfork |last=Strauss |first=Matthew |date=November 27, 2015 |access-date=November 19, 2021 |archive-date=November 19, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211119192048/https://pitchfork.com/news/62292-crystal-castles-perform-first-shows-without-alice-glass/ |url-status=live }}

The band played two sold-out shows at London's Electrowerkz on February 23–24, 2016, and soon followed this with a U.S. Festival Tour during Spring 2016.{{cite web |url=http://www.msopr.com/press-releases/crystal-castles-announce-u-s-festival-performances-new-album-due-out-this-spring/ |title=Crystal Castles Announce U.S. 2016 Festival Performances; New Album Due Out This Spring |website=Msopr.com |last=Horton |first=Charlotte |date=February 29, 2016 |access-date=November 19, 2021 |archive-date=November 19, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211119193552/http://www.msopr.com/press-releases/crystal-castles-announce-u-s-festival-performances-new-album-due-out-this-spring/ |url-status=live }} They were included in the announced lineup for the 79 Cents event at SXSW, a concert showcase organized by Tumblr to highlight women's income disparity. In an interview with The Verge, Glass stated her opinion that Kath was not a suitable person to be performing at a feminism-centric event.{{cite web|last1=Cox|first1=Jamieson|title=Tumblr will celebrate feminism at SXSW with an event headlined by Crystal Castles|url=https://www.theverge.com/2016/3/3/11153832/tumblr-sxsw-music-79-cents-event-crystal-castles|website=The Verge|publisher=Vox Media|access-date=April 16, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304054434/http://www.theverge.com/2016/3/3/11153832/tumblr-sxsw-music-79-cents-event-crystal-castles|archive-date=March 4, 2016|date=March 3, 2016|url-status=dead}} Shortly after, the band was removed from the lineup.{{cite web|last1=Bulut|first1=Selim|title=Tumblr removes Crystal Castles from feminist SXSW party|url=http://www.dazeddigital.com/music/article/30197/1/tumblr-remove-crystal-castles-from-feminist-sxsw-party|website=Dazed|publisher=Waddell Limited|access-date=April 16, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305102224/http://www.dazeddigital.com/music/article/30197/1/tumblr-remove-crystal-castles-from-feminist-sxsw-party|archive-date=March 5, 2016|date=March 4, 2016|url-status=dead}}

In July 2016 they released the single "Char" and announced the twelve-track album Amnesty (I) set for release on August 19 through Fiction Records.{{Cite web|url=http://lastgang.com/crystal-castles-release-char-announce-amnesty-i-album-pre-order/|title=Crystal Castles release "Char" & announce 'Amnesty (I)' album pre-order|website=lastgang.com|publisher=Last Gang Records|access-date=August 9, 2016|archive-date=July 28, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160728085058/http://lastgang.com/crystal-castles-release-char-announce-amnesty-i-album-pre-order/|url-status=dead}} Also announced was a world tour starting in September 2016,{{cite web |url=https://pitchfork.com/news/66592-crystal-castles-announce-world-tour/ |title=Crystal Castles Announce World Tour |website=Pitchfork |last=Monroe |first=Jazz |date=July 6, 2016 |access-date=November 19, 2021 |archive-date=November 19, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211119191111/https://pitchfork.com/news/66592-crystal-castles-announce-world-tour/ |url-status=live }} including their first appearance in Hong Kong at the Clockenflap Festival on November 27, 2016.{{cite web |url=https://clockenflap.com/content/crystal-castles-sun |title=Crystal Castles (Sun) |website=Clockenflap |access-date=November 19, 2021 |archive-date=November 19, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211119191121/https://clockenflap.com/content/crystal-castles-sun |url-status=live }}

In 2017 a followup album, Amnesty (II), was in the works.{{Cite web|date=2017-05-16|title=Crystal Castles Demoing New Songs For Upcoming Album 'Amnesty (II)'|url=https://musicfeeds.com.au/news/crystal-castles-demoing-new-songs-upcoming-album-amnesty-ii/|access-date=2020-12-28|website=Music Feeds|archive-date=November 20, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211120004700/https://musicfeeds.com.au/news/crystal-castles-demoing-new-songs-upcoming-album-amnesty-ii/|url-status=live}} Following the success of their world tour, a North American leg was also announced for 2017.{{cite web |url=https://consequence.net/2017/06/crystal-castles-announce-north-american-tour-dates/ |title=Crystal Castles announce North American tour dates |publisher=Consequence of Sound |date=June 2, 2017 |access-date=November 13, 2021 |archive-date=November 13, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211113013449/https://consequence.net/2017/06/crystal-castles-announce-north-american-tour-dates/ |url-status=live }}

On October 24, 2017, Glass published an official statement that detailed events of Kath subjecting her to sexual, physical and mental abuse during her time in Crystal Castles. She alleged that these patterns of abuse began when she started recording with Kath and continued to escalate until her eventual departure from Crystal Castles. Kath responded the same day in a statement issued to Pitchfork through his attorney, where he called the accusations "pure fiction" and said he was consulting with his lawyers as to his legal options.{{cite web |url=https://pitchfork.com/news/alice-glass-accuses-crystal-castles-co-founder-ethan-kath-of-rape-and-assault/ |title=Alice Glass Accuses Crystal Castles Co-Founder Ethan Kath of Rape and Assault; Kath Responds |website=Pitchfork |last=Strauss |first=Matthew |date=October 24, 2017 |access-date=October 24, 2017 |archive-date=October 24, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171024235613/https://pitchfork.com/news/alice-glass-accuses-crystal-castles-co-founder-ethan-kath-of-rape-and-assault/ |url-status=live }} However the band cancelled the rest of their North American tour in light of Glass's accusations.{{Cite web|last=Britton|first=Luke Morgan|date=October 26, 2017|url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/crystal-castles-tour-dates-cancelled-ethan-kath-rape-allegations-2153776|title=Crystal Castles tour dates cancelled following Ethan Kath rape and assault allegations|website=NME|access-date=November 12, 2021|archive-date=November 13, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211113005436/https://www.nme.com/news/music/crystal-castles-tour-dates-cancelled-ethan-kath-rape-allegations-2153776|url-status=live}}

Crystal Castles has since been inactive, having not released any new material, performed any concerts, or even provided any updates on its own status since prematurely ending their tour. It was revealed after Glass' accusations that the band's longtime manager James Sandom no longer worked with the group.{{cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/music/news/crystal-castles-ethan-kath-has-denied-claims-bandmate-alice/ |url-access=subscription |title=Crystal Castles' Ethan Kath has denied claims by bandmate Alice Glass that he raped and abused her for years |last=Vincent |first=Alice |date=October 26, 2017 |newspaper=The Daily Telegraph |location=London |access-date=January 13, 2023 |archive-date=October 25, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171025150045/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/music/news/crystal-castles-ethan-kath-has-denied-claims-bandmate-alice/ |url-status=live }} Kath sued Glass for defamation, but his suit was dismissed by the court.{{cite web |url=https://www.stereogum.com/1970507/crystal-castles-ethan-kath-sues-alice-glass-for-defamation/news/ |title=Crystal Castles' Ethan Kath Sues Alice Glass For Defamation |publisher=Stereogum |last=Rettig |first=James |date=November 3, 2017 |access-date=November 3, 2017 |archive-date=October 31, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181031153146/https://www.stereogum.com/1970507/crystal-castles-ethan-kath-sues-alice-glass-for-defamation/news/ |url-status=live }}{{cite web |url=https://pitchfork.com/news/alice-glass-says-ethan-kaths-defamation-suit-is-dismissed/ |title=Alice Glass Triumphs in Ethan Kath's Defamation Suit |website=Pitchfork |last1=Strauss |first1=Matthew |last2=Minsker |first2=Evan |date=February 23, 2018 |access-date=February 23, 2018 |archive-date=February 24, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180224055617/https://pitchfork.com/news/alice-glass-says-ethan-kaths-defamation-suit-is-dismissed/ |url-status=live }} On December 21, 2017, Police Constable Allyson Douglas-Cook of the Toronto Police Service confirmed that Kath (real name Palmieri) was the subject of a currently open Sex Crimes unit investigation.{{cite web |url=https://www.thedailybeast.com/ethan-kath-of-crystal-castles-being-investigated-for-sexual-assault-police-confirm |title=Ethan Kath of Crystal Castles Under Sex Crimes Investigation, Police Confirm |publisher=The Daily Beast Company LLC |last=Zimmerman |first=Amy |date=December 21, 2017 |access-date=November 13, 2021 |archive-date=November 9, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201109041114/https://www.thedailybeast.com/ethan-kath-of-crystal-castles-being-investigated-for-sexual-assault-police-confirm |url-status=live }}

In an interview with The Daily Beast, Glass and four other women came forward alleging that Kath had sexually preyed on them when they were teenagers and he was in his mid to late twenties. With Kath using his fame with Crystal Castles and Kïll Cheerleadër to get in contact with them at a young age, the alleged victims stated that he took advantage of their naivety and supplied them with drugs and alcohol in order to coerce them into sexual acts.{{cite web |url=https://www.thedailybeast.com/the-indie-rocker-accused-of-sexually-abusing-young-fans |title=The Indie Rocker Accused of Sexually Abusing Young Fans |publisher=The Daily Beast Company LLC |last=Zimmerman |first=Amy |date=February 16, 2018 |access-date=November 21, 2021 |archive-date=November 21, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211121223639/https://www.thedailybeast.com/the-indie-rocker-accused-of-sexually-abusing-young-fans |url-status=live }}

Glass later gave an interview with The Guardian and further elaborated on Kath's behavior towards her, commenting that he had thrown her phone out of a moving car, torn her hair out and lied about the nature of her rib injury. Kath had at several points gone against doctor's orders and made her perform when she was suffering from a concussion. Kath also held onto Glass' passport and controlled her finances, preventing her from having her own cell phone or credit card until a couple of years before she left. Glass also mentioned that if she ever thought of leaving Crystal Castles, Kath would threaten to replace her with someone "who's a better singer and who would put up with a lot worse than [she] would". After discovering that Kath had done similar actions towards other women, Glass felt it was her responsibility to come forward. Glass would disavow her work with Crystal Castles and asked fans to cease their support of the band.{{Cite web |last=Richards |first=Will |date=October 15, 2020 |url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/alice-glass-says-she-is-being-gutted-over-crystal-castles-royalty-payments-2786266 |title=Alice Glass says she is being "gutted" over Crystal Castles royalty payments |website=NME |access-date=November 12, 2021 |archive-date=November 13, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211113054032/https://www.nme.com/news/music/alice-glass-says-she-is-being-gutted-over-crystal-castles-royalty-payments-2786266 |url-status=live }}

Crystal Castles' musical style was described by reviewer Jack Shankly as "ferocious, asphyxiating sheets of warped two-dimensional {{sic|Gameboy}} glitches and bruising drum bombast that pierces your skull with their sheer shrill force, burrowing deep into the brain like a fever."{{cite web | last = Shankly | first = Jack | title = Underage Festival: wait a minute, these people are all children! | publisher = Drowned in Sound | url = http://www.drownedinsound.com/articles/2305247 | access-date = September 4, 2007 | archive-date = April 12, 2013 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20130412011326/http://drownedinsound.com/in_depth/2305247-underage-festival--wait-a-minute-these-people-are-all-children | url-status = dead }} In a 2008 review for the BBC, Sophie Hammer wrote that to listen to Crystal Castles "is to be cast adrift in a vortex of deafening pain without a safety net. [... You get] the feeling you could do anything in the world, but that nothing would ultimately mean anything."{{cite web | last = Hammer | first = Sophie | title = BBC Music | publisher = BBC | url = https://www.bbc.co.uk/music/reviews/48p2/ | access-date = April 18, 2008 | archive-date = May 10, 2010 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20100510180556/http://www.bbc.co.uk/music/reviews/48p2 | url-status = live }}

• Alice Glass – vocals, songwriter (2006–2014)
• Ethan Kath – instruments, songwriter, record producer, vocals (2006–2017)
• Edith Frances – vocals (2015–2017)

Touring members

• Christopher Chartrand – drums (2006–2017)
• Cameron Findlay – drums (2007–2008)
• Thomas Cullen – drums (2008)
• Mike Bell – drums (2008–2009)

{{Main|Crystal Castles discography}}

• Crystal Castles (2008)
• Crystal Castles (2010)
• III (2012)
• Amnesty (I) (2016)

• Crystal Castles Tour (2007–2009)
• Crystal Castles II Tour (2010–2012)
• Crystal Castles III Tour (2012–2013)
• Amnesty (I) Tour (2016–2017)

{{Reflist|refs=

{{cite magazine|title=The Roots Of... Crystal Castles|url=https://www.nme.com/blogs/nme-blogs/the-roots-of-crystal-castles|magazine=NME|access-date=April 16, 2015|archive-date=February 27, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150227082051/http://www.nme.com/blogs/nme-blogs/the-roots-of-crystal-castles|url-status=live}}

{{cite magazine|title=Crystal Castles return with first new song since Alice Glass' departure|url=https://www.nme.com/news/crystal-castles--2/84604|magazine=NME|access-date=April 16, 2015|archive-date=April 16, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150416203506/http://www.nme.com/news/crystal-castles--2/84604|url-status=live}}

{{cite web |url=https://www.nme.com/news/crystal-castles/54823 |title=Crystal Castles kick off Shockwaves NME Awards Tour on crutches | News |publisher=Nme.Com |access-date=February 21, 2011 |archive-date=February 7, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110207174001/http://www.nme.com/news/crystal-castles/54823 |url-status=live }}

{{cite web |url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/crystal-castles-2-36-1299451 |title=Crystal Castles get John Peel Award For Innovation at Shockwaves NME Awards |website=NME |date=February 23, 2011 |access-date=September 27, 2012 |archive-date=December 8, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211208053437/https://www.nme.com/news/music/crystal-castles-2-36-1299451 |url-status=live }}

{{cite web |url=https://www.nme.com/news/crystal-castles--2/86647 |title=Crystal Castles reveal new song 'Deicide' and promise an album is on the way |website=NME |date=February 26, 2010 |access-date=July 2, 2015 |archive-date=July 3, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150703005217/http://www.nme.com/news/crystal-castles--2/86647 |url-status=live }}

{{cite web | last = Creeley | first = Will | title = Walking On Glass | work = The Fader magazine | url = http://www.thefader.com/blog/articles/2006/12/12/walking-on-glass | access-date = September 4, 2007 | archive-date = September 27, 2007 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070927213222/http://www.thefader.com/blog/articles/2006/12/12/walking-on-glass | url-status = live }}

{{cite web | title = Interview with MTV Backstage Pass | date = December 20, 2010 | publisher = MTV | url = https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dIvGT9xRLjA | access-date = November 4, 2012 | archive-date = November 9, 2011 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20111109012805/http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dIvGT9xRLjA&gl=US&hl=en | url-status = live }}

{{Cite news | title = Indie Intro: 5 Things You Need To Know About Crystal Castles | access-date = December 26, 2010 | date = June 10, 2010 | url = http://www.complex.com/blog_galleries/indie-intro-5-things-you-need-to-know-about-crystal-castles | archive-date = July 22, 2010 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20100722123700/http://www.complex.com/blog_galleries/indie-intro-5-things-you-need-to-know-about-crystal-castles | url-status = dead }}

{{Cite news | last = Paphides | first = Pete | title = Some Ting in the way the Crystal Castles move | work = The Times | access-date = March 28, 2025 | date = August 29, 2008 | url = https://www.thetimes.com/sunday-times-rich-list/profile/article/some-ting-in-the-way-the-crystal-castles-move-flnfj772ffb?region=global | archive-date = March 28, 2025 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20250328230050/https://www.thetimes.com/sunday-times-rich-list/profile/article/some-ting-in-the-way-the-crystal-castles-move-flnfj772ffb?region=global | url-status = live}}

}}

{{Commons and category}}

• {{official website|http://crystalcastles.com}}
• [https://www.allmusic.com/artist/crystal-castles-mn0000724598 Crystal Castles] at AllMusic
• [https://www.discogs.com/artist/659646-Crystal-Castles Crystal Castles] discography at Discogs

{{Crystal Castles}}

{{Authority control}}

Category:Musical groups established in 2006

Category:Canadian musical duos

Category:Canadian synthpop groups

Category:Electronic music duos

Category:Fiction Records artists

Category:Musical groups from Toronto

Category:NME Awards winners

Category:2006 establishments in Ontario

Category:Electropunk musical groups

Category:Universal Motown Records artists

Category:Male–female musical duos

Category:Love Da Records artists