Crystal Castles

Crystal Castles are a Canadian electronic music duo formed in Toronto in 2003 by producer Ethan Kath, joined in 2006 by vocalist Alice Glass. The pair became one of the defining acts of the late-2000s electronic underground, fusing chiptune and glitch textures with aggressive, distorted production and Glass's raw, often screamed or heavily processed vocals to create a sound that was as abrasive as it was danceable.

Their self-titled 2008 debut album, featuring singles «Crimewave» and «Vanished», established their signature blend of 8-bit noise, punk energy, and dark electronic atmosphere, drawing comparisons to both the DIY spirit of noise-punk and the sound design of early video game music. The follow-up «II» (2010) and «III» (2012) pushed their sound into moodier, more atmospheric territory with tracks like «Not in Love», «Kerosene», and «Transgender», cementing the band's reputation for intense, immersive live performances and a visually striking aesthetic.

Alice Glass departed the band in 2014 to pursue a solo career, and Ethan Kath continued Crystal Castles with new vocalist Edith Frances, releasing the album «Amnesty (I)» in 2016. Across its various lineups, Crystal Castles remained a significant influence on the intersection of electronic, punk, and pop music.