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The Bestiary

by Castle Rat

supported by
Sun. Disappear
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Sun. Disappear Castle Rat are absolutely killing it.

They’ve put in the time and paid an absolute fuck ton of dues.

I’ve seen them being disparaged in the Doom community over some misconceived lack of “riffs”. 🙄

Castle Rat are arguably 10x more Metal than 80% of whatever else that happens to pass as “metal” these days.

🤘🏼 Favorite track: SUN SONG.
novembercrust
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novembercrust I almost didn't give Castle Rat a chance. Based on appearances, I thought they were going for more of an ironic power metal pastiche & I am not keen on power metal or an overindulgence of irony. Luckily I gave Wizard a listen & got to discover some really lovely, classic doom metal. The vocals are beautiful on every track, and tho it may be inspired by retro motifs and styles of metal, it does not feel too intentionally retro. The fantasy narrative flows through the album like a dream. Favorite track: UNICORN.
AKHS
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AKHS This album is an unstoppable force of nature. You will listen to this start to finish, you will have no choice, you shall be compelled. Entranced. Then, when you play it backwards, a mighty Unicorn shall appear. Yae verily, it shall grant you a boon, and you must then decide to embrace your destiny or return to the mundane world. I pray thee choose wisely.
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  • Record/Vinyl + Digital Album

    Please note this is a PREORDER expected the first week of January 2026.
    Solid Jade with Black Smoke. "WOLF II" continues the series of records titled after the songs on the album. USA orders only!

    Includes unlimited streaming of The Bestiary via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.
    Download available in 24-bit/48kHz.
    ships out within 10 days
    Purchasable with gift card

      $28 USD or more 

     

  • Record/Vinyl + Digital Album

    "PHOENIX II" concludes the series of records titled after the songs on the album. A three-color merge of White, Black, and Red. This is a PREORDER with an estimated ship date of Feburay 21st.

    Includes unlimited streaming of The Bestiary via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.
    Download available in 24-bit/48kHz.
    ships out within 10 days
    Purchasable with gift card

      $28 USD or more 

     

  • Shirt

    "Unicorn Rider" is the newest design by Alexey Gorboot printed on a natural white cotton tee by Gildan. Please note: These shirts are made to order and take 2-3 weeks to ship from Poland.
    ships out within 14 days
    Purchasable with gift card

      $34 USD or more 

     

  • Compact Disc (CD) + Digital Album

    13 songs on a high-quality CD with a six-panel jacket. (Images are mockups only.)

    Includes unlimited streaming of The Bestiary via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.
    Download available in 24-bit/48kHz.
    ships out within 14 days
    Purchasable with gift card

      $14.99 USD or more 

     

  • Shirt

    Castle Rat's first European Tour, Screenprinted Gold and White Ink on black Gildan.
    ships out within 10 days
    Purchasable with gift card

      $34 USD or more 

     

  • Other Apparel

    Support the Rat in any situation with these custom Castle Rat socks! Soft, comfy, and stylish. Large socks fit most people. USA only, please!
    ships out within 10 days
    Purchasable with gift card

      $16 USD or more 

     

  • Streaming + Download

    Includes unlimited streaming via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.
    Purchasable with gift card
    Download available in 24-bit/48kHz.

      $7 USD  or more

     

  • Cassette + Digital Album

    High-quality cassette production of The Bestiary on Ice Blue Cassette. Features a 6-panel fold-out insert. Expected Mid October.

    Includes unlimited streaming of The Bestiary via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.
    Download available in 24-bit/48kHz.
    ships out within 10 days
    Purchasable with gift card

      $14.99 USD or more 

     

  • Record/Vinyl + Digital Album

    This beautifully designed picture disc brings the illustrations of The Bestiary to life! Zoetropes are an early form of animation caused by a spinning optical illusion. To see the animation properly, place it under a strobe light or watch it through your phone as it spins, and you will see the beasts come to life in fluid motion. For best viewing on an iPhone, set your frame rate to 30 fps in a well-lit room or set a strobe to 30Hz in a darkened room.

    Records ship in a non-ridged heavyweight plastic sleeve. Expected ship date of April 15th. Illustrations by the incredible Job Van Rijen.


    Note on shipping prices: shipping is $9 in the USA, $20 in Europe, $25 to Canada, and $40 to the rest of the world. With a small increase in pricing based on quantity. If the shipping price is different from the listed prices above, the record is sold out in your territory. Instead of saying sold out, it will say $200 for shipping. There is no way to turn off the territory, only the ability to adjust the shipping.

    Includes unlimited streaming of The Bestiary via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.
    Download available in 24-bit/48kHz.
    ... more
    shipping out on or around April 15, 2026
    Purchasable with gift card

      $28 USD or more 

     

  • "Path of Moss" Limited Edition vinyl
    Record/Vinyl + Digital Album

    Shipping now!
    Solid Cyan with Dark Green/Blue Swirls. "Path of Moss" continues the series of records titled after the songs on the album.

    Includes unlimited streaming of The Bestiary via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.
    Download available in 24-bit/48kHz.

    Sold Out

  • "The Bestiary" Test Pressing
    Record/Vinyl + Digital Album

    Test Pressings from the first run of The Bestiary. Only unplayed copies will be for sale.

    Includes unlimited streaming of The Bestiary via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.
    Download available in 24-bit/48kHz.

    Sold Out

  • All Format Bundle
    Record/Vinyl + Digital Album

    All formats, including the WOLF vinyl and the Unicorn Rider shirt.

    Includes unlimited streaming of The Bestiary via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.
    Download available in 24-bit/48kHz.

    Sold Out

  • "Crystal Cave" Ultra Clear Vinyl In Standard Jacket
    Record/Vinyl + Digital Album

    The standard record store edition was pressed at Hellbender Vinyl in Pittsburgh. Complete your collection of vinyl titled after the track titles!

    Includes unlimited streaming of The Bestiary via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.
    Download available in 24-bit/48kHz.

    Sold Out

  • "PHOENIX" Custom Vinyl in Standard Jacket
    Record/Vinyl + Digital Album

    This red/yellow swirl in clear vinyl represents the power of fire and rebirth. Features a standard single-pocket jacket and a fold-out insert.

    Includes unlimited streaming of The Bestiary via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.
    Download available in 24-bit/48kHz.

    Sold Out

  • "WIZARD" Deluxe Vinyl in Gatefold Jacket
    Record/Vinyl + Digital Album

    This Half-Solid Ice Blue/Half Black Blue Splatter Vinyl comes with a deluxe gatefold jacket adn fold-out insert.

    Includes unlimited streaming of The Bestiary via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.
    Download available in 24-bit/48kHz.

    Sold Out

  • "Summoning Spell" Limited Edition Rainbow Splatter
    Record/Vinyl + Digital Album

    "Summoning Spell" is a spectacular achievement by Hellbender Vinyl in Pittsburgh. Limited to 500 copies, only 40 will be available for sale via Bandcamp. A rainbow wheel splatter hand-pressed into a clear base. (USA product only)

    Includes unlimited streaming of The Bestiary via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.
    Download available in 24-bit/48kHz.

    Sold Out

  • "Wolf" Ice Blue Glitter Vinyl in Standard Jacket
    Record/Vinyl + Digital Album

    "WOLF" is a beautiful single color, Ice Blue opaque vinyl with real glitter sparkles added to the vinyl. Features a single-pocket jacket and fold-out insert.

    Includes unlimited streaming of The Bestiary via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.
    Download available in 24-bit/48kHz.

    Sold Out

  • Unicorn Rider Black Light Poster
    Poster/Print

    The incredible Unicorn Rider blacklight poster measuring 18x24 inches and featuring 5 colors with real blacklight flocking. Neon, blacklight-responsive inks that will brighten the darkest dungeon. This first edition print is limited to 200 prints!

    Sold Out
1.
PHOENIX I 02:15
buy track
2.
WOLF I 04:37
3.
WIZARD 04:57 video
buy track
4.
SIREN 03:41
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5.
UNICORN 06:30
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6.
PATH OF MOSS 01:34
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7.
CRYSTAL CAVE 04:55
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8.
SERPENT 03:21
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9.
WOLF II 03:20
buy track
10.
DRAGON 03:19
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11.
SUMMONING SPELL 02:37
buy track
12.
SUN SONG 06:12
buy track
13.
PHOENIX II 01:17
buy track

about

CASTLE RAT IS:

Riley Pinkerton: The Rat Queen, Lead Vocals/Guitar
Franco Vittore: The Count, Lead Guitar
Charley Ruddell: The Plague Doctor, Bass
Josh Strmic: The Druid, Drums


Emerging from New York's vile, creature-infested underground, fantasy heavy metal purveyors CASTLE RAT have announced their impending sophomore album "The Bestiary", to be released on September 19th by King Volume Records (North America) and Blues Funeral Recordings (UK/Europe).

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 record's announcement, CASTLE RAT have unveiled plans for "The Book of Beasts Tour" in late summer in support of the release. The band is currently an extensive European tour that includes appearances at Hellfest, Mystic Festival, Copenhell, Desertfest, and more.

credits

released September 19, 2025

Basic track production and recording by Randall Dunn
at Applehead Studios and Circular Ruin NYC

Produced by Castle Rat

Mixed and Mastered by Jonathan Nuñez at Sound Artillery Studio

Photography by Courtney B. Hall

Illustrations by Alistair Strangwick-Rodgers

Cover Design by Chris Allison

More variants at:
bluesfuneralrecordings.bandcamp.com

license

all rights reserved

tags

about

Castle Rat image

Castle Rat Brooklyn, New York

Castle Rat is a Medieval Fantasy Heavy Metal band led by the Rat Queen on a mission to expand and defend ‘The Realm’ from those who seek to destroy it. She is joined by The Count, The Plague Doctor, and The Druid. Together they face the relentless wrath of their arch nemesis: Death Herself — ‘The Rat Reaperess.” ... more

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