Album Review

Castor Troy - Across The WaterCastor Troy – Across The Water

Castor Troy are set to release their debut album ‘Across The Water’ within the next couple of weeks and for people who are new to the band they hail from Newcastle Upon Tyne and formed in the middle of 2012 and draw comparisons from Alterbridg and Alexisonfire and have spend a lot of time touring the north of England whilst also working on their debut album.

The album opens with ‘Chapter One’ a track which I feel should have been left off the album as it is a bit of a pointless opener and does nothing for the band at all as by the time the track gets going it’s time for it to come to a close as well but I guess it does lead into the second track ‘Winter Lights’ quite well.

‘Winter Lights’ when it gets going is quite a fun heavy rock song however there are some production issues through the song and quite frankly through the whole album and that is what makes listening to ‘Across The Water’ quite annoying as the band clearly have potential but have been let down by some poor production.

‘Undivided’ opens with some dirty sounding guitar riffs and soaring vocals from vocalist Benn Gibson and for the majority of the song it is filled with some outstanding jamming with the guitars, drums and bass all equally packing an almighty punch.

‘Nineteen’ see’s the band go down an unplugged style journey where the instrumental work is turned right down and so gentle sounding whilst Benn Gibson is left to sing his heart out and he does just that and then at the half way mark the whole band come in with full on instrumental work.

‘Infatuation’ is another quick instrumental interlude and it leads you straight into the album title track ‘Across The Water’ which is quite a solid sounding loud catchy track which is structured extremely well and features some dirty guitar riffs running throughout and Benn Gibson vocally at the top of his game.

‘Jenny 23’ see’s Castor troy beef things up as they take us on a 4minute heavy journey of big riffs and soaring vocals. ‘This Is Not’ sees the band tone things down again as the sleepy acoustic track comes to life towards the end for a good 30 second assault of beautiful sounds. The album comes to a close with the lengthy 7minute ‘The Condemned’ which twist and turns for the duration whilst keeping you entertained.

Overall Castor Troy have the potential to make a good name for themselves as they are good song writers and talented performers but have been let down by some poor production as I am sure that the songs on this album sound a lot more banging on the live circuit than they do on record as at times the hard hitting sound you expect to soar from your speakers is nowhere to be found and it is a shame as potential can be heard in each and every track on offer here.

2.5/5

Review by Trigger

 Band Members

Benn Gibson
Michael Fulcher
Joe Dryden
Chris Gilks
 Track Listing

1. Chapter One
2. Winter Lights
3. Undivided
4. Nineteen
5. Infatuation
6. Across The Water
7. Jenny 23
8. This Is Not
9. The Condemned

 Band Related Links
Castor Troy Facebook
 Review Score Code
- Top Cheese
- Brilliant
- Pretty damn good
- Ok I guess
- What Was That?