Mystical masters of Heavy Metal Castle Rat unleash their epic new single “WOLF I,” taken from their anticipated new album “The Bestiary” due out on September 19th via King Volume Records (US) and Blues Funeral Recordings (UK/Europe). The band just announced a full European tour to follow their extensive US tour this fall!
About the song, guitarist and vocalist Riley Pinkerton (The Rat Queen) states:
‘WOLF I’ marks the gateway into The Bestiary, setting the stage for the epic journey ahead. The Wolf—fierce, solitary, and primal—serves as both symbol and sentinel, embodying the shadow self and guiding listeners through peril with instinct and ferocity. The track is a tempest of layered riffs and surging energy, building toward a thunderous, headbanging climax. With its haunting vocal chants and immersive atmosphere, “WOLF I” expands the Castle Rat sonic universe—introducing, for the first time, a blistering, razor-edged solo by Franco ‘The Count’ Vittore, delivered with surgical precision and flair.
Feel the power of Castle Rat‘s new single “WOLF I“
Stream the single via the Spotify player below:
Since their formation in 2019, Castle Rat have created a vivid labyrinth of fantasy lore led by “The Rat Queen” (aka guitarist and vocalist 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 new album, The Rat Queen says:
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.
Check out their new “WIZARD” video at this location
New album “The Bestiary” — Out September 19th on King Volume Records (USA) and Blues Funeral Recordings (UK/Europe) US Pre-Orders // European Pre-Orders
Tracklist:
01. PHOENIX I
02. WOLF I
03. WIZARD
04. SIREN
05. UNICORN
06. PATH OF MOSS
07. CRYSTAL CAVE
08. SERPENT
09. WOLF II
10. DRAGON
11. SUMMONING SPELL
12. SUN SONG
13. PHOENIX II
Castle Rat is a Medieval Fantasy Heavy 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 (SE), Acid King (CA), Green Lung (UK), and appeared at festivals included Desertfest NYC, RPM Fest and Hopsmoker, among others.
Since their pre-plague inception in October 2019, they 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, with a six-week stint in Europe featuring numerous festival appearances—including Desertfest, Hellfest, and Copenhell.
Their second full-length album arrives in September 2025 on King Volume Records and Blues Funeral Recordings. The album launch will be followed by a two-month-long tour across the US and Europe.
Spring European Tour 2025:
June 10 – Bochum, DE – Die Trompete
June 11 – Munich, DE – Feierwerk
June 12 – Hradec Kralove, CZ – Rock For People
June 13 – Vienna, AT – Arena
June 14 – Winterthur, CH – Heavy Psych Sounds Festival
June 15 – Basel, CH – Quaterdeck
June 17 – Bologna, IT – Freakout Club
June 18 – Torino, IT – Blah Blah Club
June 20 – Clisson, FR – Hellfest Open Air
June 21 – Copenhagen, DK – Copenhell
August 8 – Âncora, PT – Sonic Blast Fest
Fall US Tour 2025 (tickets available here)
Sep 5 – Boston, MA – Sonia
Sep 6 – Elizabethtown, NY – Otis
Sep 7 – Montreal, QC – Piranha Bar
Sep 8 – Toronto, ON – Lee’s Palace
Sep 9 – Columbus, OH – Ace of Cups
Sep 10 – Chicago, IL – Reggies
Sep 12 – Kansas City, MO – The Ship
Sep 13 – Colorado Springs, CO – What’s Left Fest
Sep 14 – Salt Lake City, UT – Urban Lounge
Sep 16 – Seattle, WA – Clockout Lounge
Sep 17 – Portland, OR – Star Theater
Sep 18 – Austin, TX – Fantastic Fest
Sep 20 – Berkeley, CA – Cornerstone
Sep 21 – Los Angeles, CA – Zebulon
Sep 22 – San Diego, CA – The Casbah
Sep 23 – Phoenix, AZ – Last Exit
Sep 24 – Albuquerque, NM – Sister
Sep 27 – Houston, TX – Last Concert
Sep 28 – New Orleans, LA – Gasa Gasa
Sep 30 – Atlanta, GA – The Earl
Oct 1 – Asheville, NC – Eulogy
Oct 2 – Raleigh, NC – Chapel of Bones
Oct 3 – Charlottesville, VA – Southern Cafe
Oct 4 – Baltimore, MD – Ottobar
Oct 5 – Brooklyn, NY – Music Hall of Williamsburg
Lineup:
Riley Pinkerton / Singer, Guitarist, Songwriter; Rat Queen
Franco Vittore / Lead Guitarist; Count
Ronnie Lanzilotta III / Bassist; Plague Doctor
Josh Strmic / Drummer; The All-Seeing Druid
Maddy Wright; The Rat Reapress (Live shows)