THE AMONKLOK CONQUEST: North America 2026 co-headline tour featuring Amon Amarth and Dethklok with special guests Castle Rat.
Tickets on-sale Friday, December 12th.
04.15 – Phoenix, AZ | Arizona Federal Theatre 04.17 – San Antonio, TX | Tech Port Center + Arena 04.18 – Houston, TX | 713 Music Hall 04.20 – Oklahoma City, OK | The Criterion 04.21 – Kansas City, MO | The Midland Theatre 04.22 – Chesterfield, MO | The Factory 04.24 – Minneapolis, MN | The Armory 04.25 – Waukee, IA | Vibrant Music Hall 04.28 – New York, NY | Brooklyn Paramount 04.29 – Boston, MA | MGM Music Hall at Fenway 05.01 – Toronto, ON | The Great Canadian Casino 05.02 – Montreal, QC | Centre Bell 05.05 – National Harbor, MD | MGM National Harbor 05.09 – Atlanta, GA | Coca-Cola Roxy 05.10 – Nashville, TN | The Pinnacle 05.12 – Johnstown, PA | 1st Summit Arena 05.13 – Detroit, MI | Fox Theatre 05.14 – Bethlehem, PA | The Wind Creek Event Center 05.16 – Milwaukee, WI | Landmark Credit Union Live 05.19 – Denver, CO | The JunkYard 05.20 – Salt Lake City, UT | The Union Event Center 05.21 – Las Vegas, NV | Planet Hollywood
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.’”
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.”
Emerging from New York’s vile, creature-infested underground, fantasy heavy metal band CASTLE RAT have announced details of their impending sophomore album, The Bestiary. Their follow-up to last year’s critically lauded debut, Into The Realm, The Bestiary will be collaboratively released on September 19th by King Volume Records (US) 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.
The Bestiery– Track-list:
1. PHOENIX I: Ardent 2. WOLF I: Tooth & Blade 3. WIZARD: Crystal Heart 4. SIREN: The Pull of Promise 5. UNICORN: Carnage and Ice 6. PATH OF MOSS 7. CRYSTAL CAVE: Enshrined 8. SERPENT: Coiled Figure 9. WOLF II: Celestial Beast 10. DRAGON: Lord of The Sky 11. SUMMONING SPELL 12. SUN SONG: Behold The Flame 13. PHOENIX II: Cinerous
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 Bestiary. Purchase tickets here: https://bnds.us/jnqiyj
CASTLE RAT 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
Castle Rat is a Medieval Fantasy Doom Metal band hailing from NYC, led by “The Rat Queen,” Riley Pinkerton, on rhythm guitar and lead vocals. On her mission to expand and defend “The Realm” from those who seek to destroy it, The Rat Queen is joined by “The Count” (Franco Vittore), on lead guitar and backing vocals; “The Plague Doctor” (Charley Ruddell), on bass and “The All-Seeing Druid” (Joshua Strmic) on drums. Together they face the relentless wrath of their archnemesis: Death, Herself — “The Rat Reaperess.”
Along their journey, Castle Rat have played in support of Monolord (SE), Acid King (CA), Green Lung (UK), and appeared at festivals including Desertfest NYC, RPM Fest and Hopsmoker, among others.
Since the band’s pre-plague inception in October 2019, Castle Rat have released their debut album, “Into The Realm,” with King Volume Records in April 2024, which has racked up over one million Spotify streams and held the post as the #1 Best-Selling Hard Rock/All Rock Album on Bandcamp upon its release.
The band has cultivated a fiercely loyal following by curating a riveting, interactive, lore-laden live performance, complete with a choreographed battle scene, recruiting fans who crave swords & sorcery, stoner & doom, battle-babes & beasts, Frazetta & Sabbath.
2025 began with an explosive start. Castle Rat launched a record-breaking Kickstarter to fund their second album, fully funding the campaign in just 37 minutes. The month-long fundraiser went on to be the most successful metal Kickstarter in over a decade, closing out at $139K.
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