Castle Rat return with a bold, theatrical statement: “The Bestiary” is a sonic bestiary of thirteen creatures, where Classic Heavy, ritual Doom, NWOBHM melodicism and Psychedelic flourishes combine to form a coherent, story-driven world. Fronted by the charismatic Rat Queen (Riley Pinkerton), the Brooklyn quartet turn each track into a dramatic episode—music that functions as both soundtrack and stagecraft. From the opening breath of “Phoenix I”, “The Bestiary” sets a ritual tone: atmospherics and subtle guitar arpeggios create an overture that prepares the listener for an immersive journey. The record’s narrative intent is clear from its first seconds—this is music conceived as spectacle and saga, not mere homage. “Wolf I” and “Wizard” act as immediate anchors. “Wolf I” pairs monolithic rhythms with shifting tempos and sharp, metallic riffs; its final solo cuts like a hunting claw. “Wizard” leans into an epic register: driving momentum, escalations that feel simultaneously cinematic and stage-ready, and vocal phrasing that foregrounds the Rat Queen as the band’s unmistakable focal point. With “Siren” Castle Rat trade seduction for impact. The riffing grows darker, the drums stamp a monolithic pulse, and the instrumental finale leaves little doubt that the band prefers to strike rather than soothe. “Unicorn” is one of the album’s longer, more ambitious pieces: it starts with cavernous guitar drones and a hypnotic vocal line, before evolving into a muscular Doom-infused Heavy Rock movement. The band uses length here to explore textures, shifting dynamics and layered guitar work without ever losing structural focus. “Path Of Moss” functions as a considered interlude—melancholic, guitar-centered—before “Crystal Cave” opens into dreamier territory. The addition of keyboards broadens the palette and pushes the track toward a more Psychedelic/Prog-tinged territory while still maintaining a firm foothold in Heavy Rock arrangements. It’s a welcome contrast to the album’s heavier movements and showcases the group’s compositional range. “Serpent” blends Heavy Psych and Metal with dexterity; its mid-section instrumental passage and second-half solo are deftly executed. “Wolf II” revisits earlier themes in a darker, Folk-tinged register: arpeggios, vocal layering, and gradual accumulation of tension make it one of the record’s more emotionally intricate moments. “Dragon” delivers pure, cavernous heft—Doom-weighted riffs and biting solos make it a standout of brute force and texture. “Summoning Spell” introduces experimental synths and vocal layers—an atmospheric palate-cleanser that leads into “Sun Song,” which arguably functions as the album’s emotional center. “Sun Song” alternates Psychedelic expanses with hard-hitting, Heavy riffing and acid-tinted solos; the result is a layered epic that rewards repeated listening. The album closes with “Phoenix II,” returning to the opening thematic material—arpeggios, orchestral underscoring and the sound of wind—bringing the tale to a rounded, reflective close. Produced by Randall Dunn, the record favors cinematic mass without losing detail. The low end is dense and defined, drums are weighty but articulate, and guitars move between colossal thickness and textured nuance. Vocally, Riley Pinkerton’s Rat Queen remains the central dramatic instrument—expressive, versatile and perfectly suited to the theatrical conceit. At times the mix leans toward maximal density; a touch more dynamic contrast in selected moments might have heightened the dramatic peaks—but that is a stylistic choice consistent with the album’s grand design. The strengths of Castle Rat are undeniable. Riley “The Rat Queen” Pinkerton leads with commanding vocals and rhythm guitar, supported by Franco “The Count” Vittore on lead guitar and backing vocals, Charley “The Plague Doctor” Ruddell on bass, and Joshua “The All-Seeing Druid” Strmic on drums. Together, they craft a coherent and immersive universe, with meticulously arranged compositions, dynamic shifts that balance sheer power and Atmospheric introspection, and a live-minded approach that makes each track immediately compelling both in headphones and on stage. From the ritualistic riffing to the spellbinding solos and the interplay of instruments, the band’s mastery shines through every note, every beat, and every epic narrative moment. The Bestiary is a testament to their creative vision, musical skill, and ability to fully realize a theatrical Heavy Metal spectacle. “The Bestiary” is more than a collection of Heavy songs: it is a theatrical, imaginative record that consolidates Castle Rat’s aesthetic—sword & sorcery pageantry, Doom heft and melodic Heavy tradition—into a unified whole. For fans of modern Heavy and Doom who appreciate performative spectacle and narrative ambition, this album is mandatory listening. More than that, it’s a record designed to slot seamlessly into both headphones and arena-style stagecraft.
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
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)
[…] Watch new videos “WIZARD” and “WOLF I““More than that, it’s a record designed to slot seamlessly into both headphones and arena-style stagecraft.” – Read the full Review here: [Review] Castle Rat – The Bestiary […]