Castle Rat – Wolf I
Mystical masters of heavy metal CASTLE RAT have delivered their epic second single, “WOLF I,” from their highly anticipated odyssey, The Bestiary, that will be released September 19th via King Volume Records (US) and Blues Funeral Recordings (UK/Europe).
Commenting on the song, 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.”
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 record 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.”
CASTLE RAT will embark on their worldwide “The Book of Beasts Tour” in late summer in support of The Bestiary.
CASTLE RAT North American Tour Dates:
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 26 – Austin, TX – Levitation
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
CASTLE RAT European Tour Dates:
Oct 16 – Prague, CZ – Cafe V Lese
Oct 17 – Leipzig, DE – Werk 2
Oct 18 – Arnhem, NL – Willemeen
Oct 19 – Antwerp, BE – Desertfest
Oct 21 – Cologne, DE – Volta
Oct 22 – Aschaffenburg, DE – Colos-saal
Oct 23 – Berlin, DE – Lido
Oct 24 – Copenhagen, DE – Copenhell Metal Cruise
Oct 25 – Copenhagen, DE – Copenhell Metal Cruise
Oct 27 – Hamburg, DE – Indra
Oct 28 – Karlsruhe, DE – Stadtmitte
Oct 30 – Barcelona, ES – Upload
Oct 31 – Lyon, FR – Les Subs
Nov 1 – Vellet, FR – Westill Festival
Nov 2 – Lille, FR – La Bulle Cafe
Nov 4 – Brighton, UK – Green Door Store
Nov 6 – London, UK – Electric Ballroom
Nov 7 – Nottingham, UK – Bodega
Nov 8 – Manchester, UK – Damnation Festival
#castle.rat