Archive for June 15, 2025

CASTLE RAT Debut Spellbinding First Single “WIZARD” – From New Album The Bestiary | Out Sept 19th; Pre-Order Now!

Posted in Heavy Metal, Metal, metal bands, metal music, metal music videos, Music, music news, music videos, news with tags , , , , , , on June 15, 2025 by Metal Odyssey

Photo Credit: Courtney Hall (@light_witch)

Mystical masters of heavy metal CASTLE RATT recently announced their latest epic The Bestiary will be unleashed on September 19th via King Volume Records (US) and Blues Funeral Recordings (UK/Europe). 

Today, the otherworldly outliers introduce fans to the protagonist in their forthcoming saga, the “Wizard.” Available for streaming now, and accompanied by an enchanting video revealed at Decibel, “WIZARD” sets an ominous and heavy tone for one of metal’s most bewitching odysseys. 

Regarding the new single, Charley Ruddell (Plague Doctor) states: 

“Musically, ‘WIZARD’ was a big step in a new direction for us as a band. We found ourselves collaborating more closely with each other and piecing together ideas more intricately than on previous songs. We channeled the new wave of british heavy metal; the galloping drum break and harmonized guitar leads were largely inspired by Iron Maiden and Judas Priest. Franco’s solo at the end, which was recorded in one take, was inspired by ‘Electric Eye.’”

Stream “WIZARD“: https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/castlerat1/wizard

Pre-Order The Bestiary: 
North America – Here
Europe – Here

“WIZARD” Music Video:
https://youtu.be/iWKmiTwjjHA?si=fd8KwqjkdZQuDnV2

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 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.”

Follow CASTLE RAT:
Facebook | Instagram | Youtube
King Volume Records | Blues Funeral

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ALTERIUM Announce New EP Stormrage – A Powerful Return Of Italian Melodic Power Metal

Posted in Heavy Metal, melodic metal, Metal, metal bands, metal music, Music, music news, news with tags , , , , , , , , on June 15, 2025 by Metal Odyssey

Italian melodic power metal force ALTERIUM is set to return with the brand-new EP Stormrage, further cementing the band’s place among the most promising names in the new wave of European power metal.

Watch the video of the title-track HERE.

Stormrage, a powerful chapter that bridges their acclaimed debut Of War And Flames and their upcoming full-length work, will be released on July 25, 2025.

The EP will be available in exclusive physical formats:

  • Digipack CD, limited to 500 hand-numbered copies, featuring two bonus tracks
  • 7” Vinyl, released in three colored variants, each limited to 100 hand-numbered copies

Preorders: https://alterium.bigcartel.com/

Track-list:

1. Stormrage
2. Sui
3. Paradise Lost (Symphony X cover) – available only on the CD version
4. Of War and Flames (Orchestral version) – available only on the CD version

To support the release, ALTERIUM will embark on a series of select shows and festivals across Europe and will make their highly anticipated US debut at the ProgPower festival in Atlanta.

Line up:

Nicoletta Rosellini – vocals
Paolo Campitelli – guitars, keyboards
Alessandro Mammola – guitars
Luca Scalabrin – bass
Dario Gozzi – drums

This new chapter sees the band sharpening their songwriting and delivering a fresh burst of adrenaline that both longtime fans and newcomers will appreciate. Epic, melodic, and unrelentingly driven, Stormrage reaffirms ALTERIUM’s mission to carry the torch of European metal with pride and power.

Featuring two brand-new singles, Stormrage continues the band’s tradition of blending agile riffs, epic atmospheres, and battle-hardened energy. With soaring vocals, blazing guitar work, and a heroic spirit running through the music, the EP captures the essence of classic power metal while pushing ALTERIUM’s sound into exciting new territory.

Upcoming Shows:

28/6/2025 – Odyssea Rock Fusion Fest (Romania)
05/7/2025 – Spluga Celtica – Campodolcino (Italy)
12/7/2025 – Festa dell’Unicorno – Vinci (Italy)
29/8/2025 – Forest Metal Festival – Bad Wörishofen (Germany)
04/9/2025 – ProgPower USA – Atlanta (USA)

ALTERIUM:

https://www.alterium.band

https://instagram.com/alterium.band

https://www.facebook.com/alterium.band

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