Back Alley Ritual with Castle (US) + Hex Tar

Back Alley Ritual hosts a Wednesday evening dedicated to doom, featuring CASTLE from the United States and HEX TAR from the Netherlands. Bring earplugs and some cash for beer.

CASTLE
The heavy metal/doom trio CASTLE announced their new album 'Carrie Chains', recorded at RainCity Recorders in Vancouver (BC) with producer Jesse Gander (Anciients, Brutus, 3 Inches Of Blood). Worldwide release follows on 4 September 2026 via Hammerheart Records. It is the band's seventh studio album, following 'Evil Remains' from 2024. In the two years between, Castle also released the live album 'One Knight Stands: Live In NY' and the covers EP 'Double Vision'.

Castle debuted in 2011 with 'In Witch Order' and followed in 2012 with the JUNO-nominated 'Blacklands', both released via German label Van Records. Since then, the band has played over 750 shows across three continents. The 'Evil Remains Tour' has visited Europe twice, plus the US and Canada, with performances at Muskelrock (Sweden), Battle Cry Fest (Germany) and Chicago's Legions Of Metal Fest, alongside various sold-out shows including in their hometown San Francisco.

In 2026, Castle releases two full albums: first a limited LP in March via their own label Black Wren, followed by the worldwide release of the new studio album in September via Hammerheart Records.

HEX TAR
No hype, no hope, only doom. This seasoned band from southern Netherlands delivers exactly that: doom, nothing more and nothing less.