New York City-based medieval fantasy heavy metal band Castle Rat, formed in 2019, has released their new single WOLF I from their sophomore album The Bestiary, set for release on September 19, 2025, via King Volume Records (US) and Blues Funeral Recordings (UK/Europe).
The track, available to stream on Bandcamp and Spotify, features a blistering solo by Franco Vittore (The Count) and haunting vocal chants, as described by Riley Pinkerton (The Rat Queen): “‘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.”
The band, consisting of Riley Pinkerton (vocals, guitar), Franco Vittore (lead guitar, backing vocals), Charley Ruddell (bass), and Josh Strmic (drums), recorded the album with producer Randall Dunn (Sunn O))), Wolves in the Throne Room) and mixed by Jonathan Nuñez (Torche).
The Bestiary features 13 tracks:
- Phoenix I
- WOLF I
- Wizard
- Siren
- Unicorn
- Path of Moss
- Crystal Cave
- Serpent
- WOLF II
- Dragon
- Summoning Spell
- Sun Song
- Phoenix II
Preorders are available at castlerat.bandcamp.com for the US and bluesfuneral.com for Europe. Castle Rat will support the release with The Book of Beasts Tour, including a European leg starting October 10, 2025, in Copenhagen, Denmark, and a US tour from September 5 to October 5, 2025. Follow the band on Facebook, Instagram, and Bandcamp.
Fall US Tour Dates:
- 09/05/25 – Boston, MA – Sonia
- 09/06/25 – Elizabethtown, NY – Otis
- 09/07/25 – Montreal, QC – Piranha Bar
- 09/08/25 – Toronto, ON – Lee’s Palace
- 09/09/25 – Columbus, OH – Ace of Cups
- 09/10/25 – Chicago, IL – Reggies
- 09/12/25 – Kansas City, MO – The Ship
- 09/13/25 – Colorado Springs, CO – What’s Left Fest
- 09/14/25 – Salt Lake City, UT – Urban Lounge
- 09/16/25 – Seattle, WA – Clockout Lounge
- 09/17/25 – Portland, OR – Star Theater
- 09/18/25 – Austin, TX – Fantastic Fest
- 09/20/25 – Berkeley, CA – Cornerstone
- 09/21/25 – Los Angeles, CA – Zebulon
- 09/22/25 – San Diego, CA – The Casbah
- 09/23/25 – Phoenix, AZ – Last Exit
- 09/24/25 – Albuquerque, NM – Sister
- 09/27/25 – Houston, TX – Last Concert
- 09/28/25 – New Orleans, LA – Gasa Gasa
- 09/30/25 – Atlanta, GA – The Earl
- 10/01/25 – Asheville, NC – Eulogy
- 10/02/25 – Raleigh, NC – Chapel of Bones
- 10/03/25 – Charlottesville, VA – Southern Cafe
- 10/04/25 – Baltimore, MD – Ottobar
- 10/05/25 – Brooklyn, NY – Music Hall of Williamsburg