Castle Rat

Castle Rat
Castle Rat performing at the Mystic Festival 2025.
Castle Rat performing at the Mystic Festival 2025.
Background information
OriginBrooklyn, New York, U.S.
GenresDoom metal
Years active2019–present
LabelKing Volume Records
Members
  • Riley Pinkerton
  • Franco Vittore
  • Charley Ruddell
  • Joshua Strmic
Past members
  • Henry Black
  • Ronnie Lanzilotta
Websitecastlerat.com

Castle Rat is an American doom metal band formed in Brooklyn, New York, in 2019. Known for their "medieval fantasy doom metal" aesthetic, they blend traditional doom and heavy metal with theatrical live performances inspired by Black Sabbath and Frank Frazetta's fantasy artwork.[1] Led by vocalist and rhythm guitarist Riley Pinkerton ("The Rat Queen"), the band gained recognition for their debut album Into the Realm (2024) and elaborate stage shows featuring their nemesis, "The Rat Reaperess".[2]

History

Formation and early years (2019–2022)

Castle Rat was formed in October 2019 in Brooklyn, New York, by Riley Pinkerton (vocals, rhythm guitar - daughter of noted 1980s session guitarist John McCurry)[3], Henry Black (lead guitar), Ronnie Lanzilotta (bass), and Joshua Strmic (drums).[4] They debuted live on August 15, 2019, at Sunnyvale in Brooklyn, performing with bands like The Silk War and Turbo Goth.[5] Each member adopted a fantasy persona: Pinkerton as "The Rat Queen," Black as "The Count," Lanzilotta as "The Plague Doctor," and Strmic as "The Druid," with Madeline Wright portraying "The Rat Reaperess" on stage.[1] In 2022, they released their first single, "Feed the Dream," recorded in an abandoned Philadelphia church, premiering via Revolver magazine.[1] They performed at The Great Rat Summoning, a Halloween event at The Sultan Room with Evolfo and Wine Lips.[2]

Into the Realm and rising popularity (2023–2024)

In 2023, Castle Rat toured the American Southwest, supporting acts like Monolord and Firebreather, and performed at Desertfest NYC alongside Melvins and Boris.[6] Franco Vittore replaced Henry Black as lead guitarist, and Charley Ruddell replaced Ronnie Lanzilotta as bassist.[7][better source needed] On April 12, 2024, they released their debut album, Into the Realm, through King Volume Records, featuring tracks like "Dagger Dragger," "Fresh Fur," and "Cry for Me."[7][better source needed] Recorded in a Philadelphia church with engineers Davis Shubs and Thomas Johnsen, the album topped Bandcamp's hard rock chart and was praised for its Black Sabbath-inspired sound.[8]

Second album and touring (2025–present)

In January 2025, Castle Rat launched a Kickstarter campaign, raising $139,000 in 37 minutes for their second album, The Bestiary, set for release on September 19, 2025, through King Volume Records and Blues Funeral Recordings.[9] Recorded by Randall Dunn and mixed by Jonathan Nuñez, the album features 13 tracks of mystical creature-themed heavy metal, centered around a wizard character.[9][10] They embarked on a U.S. headlining tour in March 2025, performing at venues like Reggies Chicago and Le Poisson Rouge, and announced a European tour with stops at Desertfest, Hellfest, and Copenhell.[6] In May 2025, they played at La Boule Noire in Paris, supported by Witchorious.[11] Their live shows feature choreographed battle scenes and elaborate costumes.[1] The Bestiary debuted at #11 in the UK's official rock & metal albums chart. [12][13] The band was the subject of Decibel Magazine's October 2025's cover story.[14]

The Bestiary was considered one of the 15 best metal albums of 2025 by Rolling Stone, placed #11.[15]

In 2026, they opened for the AmonKlok tour (Amon Amarth and Dethklok).[16]

Musical style and themes

Castle Rat blends doom metal, heavy metal, and stoner metal, drawing from Black Sabbath, Witchfinder General, and Jefferson Airplane.[8] Their medieval fantasy themes, inspired by Frank Frazetta, center on a fictional "Realm" where they battle "The Rat Reaperess."[1] Pinkerton's vocals, likened to Grace Slick, complement theatrical performances with costumes and props like swords.[2] Pinkerton has expressed the desire to ride out on a unicorn, similar to Rob Halford from Judas Priest's motorcycle entrance. [17]

Members

Current members

  • Riley Pinkerton ("The Rat Queen") – lead vocals, rhythm guitar (2019–present)
  • Franco Vittore ("The Count") – lead guitar, backing vocals (2023–present)
  • Charley Ruddell ("The Plague Doctor") – bass (2024–present)
  • Joshua Strmic ("The Druid") – drums (2019–present)[7][better source needed]

Cast members

  • Madeline Wright ("The Rat Reaperess") – stage performer (2019–present)[4]

Past members

  • Henry Black ("The Count") – lead guitar, backing vocals (2019–2023)
  • Ronnie Lanzilotta ("The Plague Doctor") – bass (2021–2024)[4]

Discography

Studio albums

Singles

  • "Feed the Dream" (2022)
  • "Fresh Fur" (2024)
  • "Dagger Dragger" (2024)
  • "Cry for Me" (2024)[7]
  • "Wizard" (2025)[19]
  • "Wolf I" (2025)[20]
  • "Serpent" (2025)[21]
  • "SIREN" (2026)

References

  1. ^ a b c d e ""Medieval Fantasy Doom Metal": Hear Castle Rat's Epic New Song "Feed the Dream"". Revolver. October 27, 2022. Retrieved June 22, 2025.
  2. ^ a b c "'Feed The Dream' by Castle Rat". It's Psychedelic Baby Magazine. October 27, 2022. Retrieved June 22, 2025.
  3. ^ "Riley Pinkerton: "Rat Queen"". Ponyboy Magazine. Retrieved 22 May 2026.
  4. ^ a b c "Introducing Castle Rat: Interview with Lead Singer Riley". The Great Frog. October 28, 2022. Archived from the original on 2022-10-28. Retrieved June 22, 2025.
  5. ^ "Castle Rat's Medieval Doom Metal Debut". Doomed Nation. August 15, 2023. Retrieved June 22, 2025.
  6. ^ a b "CASTLE RAT Announces US Tour". Metal Injection. January 26, 2025. Retrieved June 22, 2025.
  7. ^ a b c d e "Into The Realm, by Castle Rat". Bandcamp. April 12, 2024. Retrieved June 22, 2025.[dead link]
  8. ^ a b "CASTLE RAT". RockHard. Retrieved June 22, 2025.
  9. ^ a b c "Fantasy metal warriors Castle Rat reveal new album coming September". GRIMM Gent. May 10, 2025. Retrieved June 22, 2025.
  10. ^ ""We wanna create this universe for people to step into": How Castle…". Kerrang!. 2025-09-29. Retrieved 2025-10-04.
  11. ^ "Castle Rat 2". La Boule Noire. 24 January 2025. Retrieved 2025-06-22.
  12. ^ "Official Rock & Metal Albums Chart on 26/9/2025". Official Charts. Retrieved 2025-10-04.
  13. ^ "Hellbender Vinyl Congratulates Castle Rat on Reaching the UK Albums Ch". Hellbender Vinyl. 2025-09-29. Retrieved 2026-01-16.
  14. ^ "October 2025 [#252]". The Decibel Store. Retrieved 2025-10-04.
  15. ^ Shteamer, Brenna Ehrlich,Kory Grow,Joseph Hudak,Kim Kelly,Hank (2025-12-23). "The 15 Best Metal Albums of 2025". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 2026-01-03.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  16. ^ Staff, San Antonio Current (2026-04-18). "Everything we saw as Dethklok, Amon Amarth and Castle Rat laid waste to San Antonio". San Antonio Current. Retrieved 2026-04-19.
  17. ^ Deller, Alex (2025-11-04). "'I want to ride out on a unicorn every night': swords'n'sorcery heavy metal band Castle Rat". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 2025-11-28.
  18. ^ Lawsonpublished, Dom (2025-09-18). ""Everything about this band rules hard." Fantasy doom metal heroes Castle Rat have made one of 2025's most epic metal albums in The Bestiary". Louder. Retrieved 2025-09-18.
  19. ^ "Castle Rat Release New Single "Wizard" Off Their Upcoming Album *The Bestiary*". MetalSucks. June 10, 2025. Retrieved June 22, 2025.
  20. ^ Sacher, Andrew. "Watch "medieval fantasy heavy metal" band Castle Rat's video for "WOLF I"". BrooklynVegan. Retrieved 2025-09-18.
  21. ^ Weaver, James (2025-08-20). "Castle Rat release new song 'SERPENT'". Distorted Sound Magazine. Retrieved 2025-09-18.

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