New York City’s medieval fantasy doom metal band Castle Rat has revealed their second album, The Bestiary, set for release on September 19, 2025, through King Volume Records (US) and Blues Funeral Recordings (UK/Europe). Following their 2024 debut Into The Realm, which amassed over 1,000,000 Spotify streams and topped Bandcamp’s Best-Selling Hard Rock chart, The Bestiary promises 13 tracks of epic, mystical metal. Recorded by Randall Dunn (Sunn O))), Wolves in the Throne Room) and mixed by Jonathan Nuñez (Torche), the album delves deeper into the band’s lore-driven universe, led by “The Rat Queen” Riley Pinkerton (vocals/guitar), alongside Franco Vittore (lead guitar), Ronnie Lanzilotta III (bass), Josh Strmic (drums), and stage actress Maddy Wrigh as “The Rat Reapress.” The album cover and photography are by Light Witch, with tour poster art by Alexey Gorboot.
Castle Rat, known for their theatrical live shows featuring choreographed battle scenes, has also announced “The Book of Beasts Tour” to support the release, kicking off September 5 in Boston and wrapping October 5 in Brooklyn, with stops across the US and Canada, including Fantastic Fest in Austin and What’s Left Fest in Colorado Springs. Tickets are available now via the band’s bio link. Having previously supported acts like Monolord and played Desertfest NYC, the band aims to expand “The Realm” with this tour. Pre-order details are expected soon via King Volume and Blues Funeral.
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 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