Zorn Return to Castle Death LP

Philadelphia’s ZORN has steadily improved and found their proper footing since their inception, becoming something of an esteemed band with an identity of its own. I could not quite get into their previous recordings, but Return to Castle Death is a definite win. The members are not just experts at painting their faces or dressing up, they are actually brilliant musicians too, with a flair for writing cracking metal punk songs for heathens and medieval cosplayers alike. I enjoy that they firmly build on the old school metal punk influences but still offer something different that can appeal to many chapels. Classic bands like GISM, ZOUO, and other Japanese metallic punk acts, early diabolical legends like VENOM or BATHORY, and of course their neighbours DEVIL MASTER all got invites on this brand new album. ZORN is a band I would love to see pair up with RIGOROUS INSTITUTION, as both share a passion for the catchy hook (the detail that makes a fine song into a good song) and each have their own identity. There seems to be a revival of old school metal punk, and I really cannot complain when it is inspired and done that well.

• Reviewer Romain Basset
• Label Sorry State
• Issue MRR #518 • July 2026