The Bestiary

Castle Rat is a Medieval Fantasy Heavy 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” (Josh 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-plagued 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/Alt 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; Frazette & Sabbath.

Released: May 2026
Label: Concord

Listen

Tracklist

1.          PHOENIX I

2.          WOLF I

3.          WIZARD

4.          SIREN

5.          UNICORN

6.          PATH OF MOSS

7.          CRYSTAL CAVE

8.          SERPENT

9.          WOLF II

10.        DRAGON

11.        SUMMONING SPELL

12.        SUN SONG

13.        PHOENIX II