Published: June 11, 2025
Occult rock outfit CASTLE RAT has unveiled Wizard, the spellbinding first single from their upcoming album. The track blends dark fantasy with heavy riffs, setting the stage for a mystical and powerful full-length release.
Mystical masters of heavy metal CASTLE RAT recently announced their latest epic The Bestiary will be unleashed on September 19th via King Volume Records (US) and Blues Funeral Recordings (UK/Europe).
The otherworldly outliers introduce fans to the protagonist in their forthcoming saga, the Wizard. Available for streaming now, and accompanied by an enchanting video, "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."
The Bestiary 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
CASTLE RAT will embark on "The Book of Beasts Tour" in late summer in support of The Bestiary.
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 26 - Austin, TX - Levitation
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
