Austrian deathcore collective Castiel continue the descent into psychological collapse with new single ‘Act II: A Festering Wound’, the second chapter from their forthcoming EP All Returns to Hollow and Silence, due for release on 24th July via Seek and Strike. Expanding on the conceptual framework introduced in the devastating opening salvo ‘Act I: Defile // Denounce’, the new track explores the slow erosion of identity within a relationship, where silence replaces connection and emotional absence lingers long after physical presence remains.
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The band commented: “‘Act II’ focuses heavily on the gradual loss of a person within a relationship. The lyrics describe emotional distance, a sense of speechlessness, and the feeling of watching someone mentally disappear even though they are still physically present. Recurring themes include silence, emptiness, coldness, and the breakdown of a shared reality. The song itself is still somewhat calm in the first half and then becomes faster and more aggressive with the breakdown. This is also shown very well in the video with effects.
“The video itself also has a darker colour palette. We wore black makeup and used “black blood” pills to visually illustrate just how dark this song is. In the video, you see two actors who helped us bring the lyrics to life visually. The setting is a forest, which is usually associated with tranquility; we wanted to use that very contrast to frame the scene.”
All Returns to Hollow and Silence is a genuine step forward for the band. Drawing from a diverse range of influences, Castiel have crafted a sound that is pulled together with purpose. Firmly rooted in deathcore, the EP pushes beyond the genre confines, embracing contrast and atmosphere alongside its more destructive elements.
Speaking on the release, the band said: “This EP is heavier, more brutal but also more emotional than anything we’ve done before as a band. 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 built as a continuous story with each track acting as a chapter in a wider narrative. That idea carries through visually too, with every song set to receive its own video.
At its core, All Returns to Hollow and Silence explores the shifting relationship between two central protagonists, tracing a journey shaped by tension, transformation and emotional conflict. Subtle inspiration has been drawn from the lore of World of Warcraft, particularly the arcs of Arthas Menethil and Jaina Proudmoore.
Musically, the release channels the oppressive weight and atmosphere of Black Tongue and Humanity’s Last Breath, while incorporating the raw aggression of Bodysnatcher and The Acacia Strain. The result is a record that moves seamlessly between suffocating heaviness and explosive intensity.
Track-list:
1. Act I: Defile // Denounce
2. Act II: A Festering Wound
3. Act III: Vile Spirits
4. Act IV: Empty Throne
Emerging from Klagenfurt, Austria in 2014, Castiel quickly made their mark with their bleak atmospheres and downtempo heaviness. Early releases including their debut single ‘Human Scum’ and the Exitium EP (2015) set the tone, followed by Blasphemy in 2017, before lineup changes forced the band into a hiatus.
They returned in 2023 with Shadowlands, signalling a clear step up in both sound and ambition. That momentum carried into 2025’s Khaos EP, a darker, more introspective release that pushed further into themes of psychological collapse and existential weight.
Now, with their signing to Seek and Strike, Castiel enter a new chapter. All Returns to Hollow and Silence not only marks their first release under the label, but their most ambitious work to date.
Having already shared stages with the likes of Distant, Carnifex, Born of Osiris and more, the band have built a reputation for intense, no frills live shows. Stay tuned for live dates to follow.
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