Emerging from New York’s vile, creature-infested underground, fantasy heavy metal purveyors Castle Rat have announced details of their impending sophomore album “The Bestiary”, to be released on September 19th by King Volume Records (North America) and Blues Funeral Recordings (UK/Europe). The band will be touring Europe extensively this spring and announced a full US tour in the fall.
Since their formation in 2019, Castle Rat have created a vivid labyrinth of fantasy lore led by “The Rat Queen” aka Riley Pinkerton. Together with “The Count,” “The Plague Doctor” and “The All-Seeing Druid”, the group has carried out countless battles against “The Rat Reaperess” with riffs, swords and spells on stages across the country.
Recorded by Randall Dunn (Sunn O))), Wolves in the Throne Room, Björk) and mixed by Jonathan Nuñez (Torche, Restless Spirit), the band’s latest odyssey features 13 spellbinding tracks of epic carnage and mystical metal. Commenting on the album, The Rat Queen states: “‘The Bestiary’ is a conceptual book of beasts containing a collection of mystical creatures from a world forgotten. The last remaining souls of each have been gathered and preserved by ‘The Wizard.’ Cautionary tales of each beast and The Wizard himself are woven through the power of traditional heavy metal song and spell.”
With the album announcement, Castle Rat have unveiled plans for “The Book of Beasts Tour” in late summer in support of the release. The band is currently gearing up for an extensive European tour that includes appearances at Hellfest, Mystic Festival, Copenhell, Desertfest and more — see full listing below.
Castle Rat “The Bestiary”, Out September 19th on King Volume Records (USA) and Blues Funeral Recordings (UK/Europe) – Preorders and first track coming soon –
Tracklist: 1. PHOENIX I: Ardent 2. WOLF I: Tooth & Blade 3. WIZARD: Crystal Heart 4. SIREN: The Pull of Promise 5. UNICORN: Carnage and Ice 6. PATH OF MOSS 7. CRYSTAL CAVE: Enshrined 8. SERPENT: Coiled Figure 9. WOLF II: Celestial Beast 10. DRAGON: Lord of The Sky 11. SUMMONING SPELL 12. SUN SONG: Behold The Flame 13. PHOENIX II: Cinerous
Castle Rat is a Medieval Fantasy Doom Metal band hailing from NYC, led by “The Rat Queen,” Riley Pinkerton, on rhythm guitar and lead vocals. On her mission to expand and defend “The Realm” from those who seek to destroy it, The Rat Queen is joined by “The Count” (Franco Vittore), on lead guitar and backing vocals; “The Plague Doctor” (Charley Ruddell), on bass; and “The All-Seeing Druid” (Joshua Strmic) on drums. Together they face the relentless wrath of their archnemesis: Death, Herself — “The Rat Reaperess.”
Along their journey, Castle Rat have played in support of Monolord, Acid King, Green Lung and appeared at festivals such as Desertfest NYC, RPM Fest and Hopsmoker. Since the band’s pre-plague inception in October 2019, Castle Rat have released their debut album “Into The Realm” with King Volume Records in April 2024, which has racked up over one million Spotify streams and held the post as the #1 Best-Selling Hard Rock/All Rock Album on Bandcamp upon its release.
The band has cultivated a fiercely loyal following by curating a riveting, interactive, lore-laden live performance, complete with a choreographed battle scene, recruiting fans who crave swords & sorcery; stoner & doom; battle-babes & beasts; Frazetta & Sabbath.
2025 began with an explosive start. Castle Rat launched a record-breaking Kickstarter to fund their second album, fully funding the campaign in just 37 minutes. The month-long fundraiser went on to be the most successful metal Kickstarter in over a decade, closing out at $139K. Just days after the campaign, the band entered the studio to record their second album with producer Randall Dunn (Sunn O))), Wolves in the Throne Room, Björk).
Following two sold-out tours in late 2024, the band undertook a headlining US tour in March 2025, followed by a six-week stint in Europe featuring numerous festival appearances and performances supporting Conan set to kick off in May 2025. Castle Rat‘s second full-length album will arrive in September 2025, followed by a two-month tour across the US and Europe.